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It’s Been One of Those Weeks

Murphy’s Law is a term used to express, ‘What can go wrong, will go wrong’.  It’s a phenomena we’re all familiar with.  There are those periods in time where it seems nothing is going right.  Power goes out in the middle of some well deserved relaxation, flat tire on an already hectic day, or perhaps just bad news on a day that’s been full of bad news.  I think we’ve all been there and can relate.  That’s been our past two weeks on the farm.  

Last week, we went to water chickens as we do twice a day when it’s been this hot.  Already one of those days where you just want to be in a pool or AC.  Hot, humid, and grass up to our waist is not my favorite time for farm chores.  When opening the yard hydrant, instead of water coming out, air was sucking in.  You can know nothing of plumbing and physics, but you cut on water and air sucks in, we know that’s bad.  Turns out a small piece of plastic the size of a pencil eraser broke on one of our cattle drinkers.  This was the equivalent of opening a hose wide open and running water for 4-5 hours.  The well was pretty much drained.  Luckily we’re on a separate well for the house, so had water for the chickens, but now we’re worried about water for ~ 40 head of cattle.  They can drink 20 gallons per day each.  There was still a small amount of water left in the lines that run across 55 acres, so still a bit.  We got by by cutting the water pump on for 2 minutes a time to fill their water, then shutting off.  After some replacement parts and zip ties (the counterpart to duct tape – works for everything), we fixed the problems.  A two day ordeal that, combined with hospital shifts and parenting, made for a long week.  

Last week also included a GI bug.  Just me so glad everyone else was spared.  COVID negative as well so that’s something, but it took me out for a few days meaning my better half had to double duty chores.  We’re pretty efficient on the farm, but also in the part of summer where we’re kinda treading water to get farm chores done, and that’s when there’s two of us.  Off farm jobs, parenting, and house chores (my lawn’s a jungle) don’t get a break.  So again, just one of those things that multiplies everything else happening on the farm.

To end with what’s been happening these past two weeks, in addition to the above, we had a lizard in the house.  I should say we HAVE a lizard in the house because no one can find it.  Our dog started eating cat poop and vomiting it up in the house.  That’s just great.  Our camper lies unfinished in our polebarn.  It’s calling us, “Hey, come take me on a vacation…. Oh, wait, you haven’t finished me!”.  You’re not wrong camper.  Mice are eating our stored feed because the cats would rather hunt in the fields.  Thanks for nothing guys!  But then, the weather turns out beautiful has it has the past couple days, the kids are healthy despite COVID, RSV, and other human plagues running rampant, and we have each other.  It only takes a quick glance at the news to see that these things we call problems, might not be so bad in the grand scheme of things.  Maybe our Murphy’s Law is really 1st world problems, and the word problems might be a bit of an overemphasis.  I don’t watch the news, but do browse headlines from time to time on the interwebs, and when I’m having one of those days (or weeks), it sheds a lot of perspective that things can always be much worse.    

Whats Happening ‘Round the Farm!

Just a quick update on everything that’s presently going on.

Grassfed Beef: Running a bit low on steaks but stocked in everything else.  These cooler nights usher in roasts and comfort food season.  Have a look at the Online Farm Store for what we have to offer.  More cattle going in ~ 4 weeks at which time steaks (and everything else) will be fully restocked.

Pastured Pork: Practically sold out of bacon and breakfast sausage as usual.  Still a good supply of Pork Chops, Boston Butts, Picnic Roasts, and Ham Roasts.  We’re a ways out on restocking but working on improving inventory.  We have secured a number of dates for next year which should help.

Pastured Poultry: Fully restocked with more going in this week and in October, so we’ve got you covered there.  The feedback has been great and we’re excited to have this on the menu this year.

Hand Gathered Eggs: Always in stock.  We’ve recently had to go up on our prices a bit due to our feed costs rising.  I’d like to say we’ll come back down, but historically when feed prices rise, they stay.  So we’ll see.  That said, eggs raised from chickens on pasture are only something you’ll find from local farms.  Ignore the fancy boxes and labels in stores that say “Pasture Raised”.  USDA does not differentiate free-range from pasture raised, thus companies can use the term interchangeably.  Chickens raised in a building with a door, whether they can access it or not, and have a concrete / dirt lot can be called pasture raised.  Our birds live on pasture (grass / fields) and are moved regularly to ensure the stay on grass pastures.  OK, sorry, soapbox rant over 😛

Longbottom Farm Coffee: Instock and we dropped prices a few months ago as we were able to get a discount for bulk beans which means you pay less!  We have 4 blends available to wake you up, and 1 decaf blend if you just want to wake your taste buds up.  

Gift Certificates: Lastly, gift certificates are  now available.  Choose a physical card to give as a gift or a digital E-Card that can be emailed.  Multiple dollar amounts for any occasion.  Check them out here!

Thanks for following us and allowing us to serve you.  If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts, give us a shout!

With Our Appreciation,

Jason, Lexi, and Family