New Projects

Every year we try to add something new to the farm. I'm sure at some point we will hit our limit but for now it still seems exciting to try new things. Last year the high tunnel was new and exciting but now that we have a few growing seasons under our belt it was time to look for new projects. Projects, cattle, livestock,  that's what we could call them but the Growing Boys decided to call them Ribeye and Lightning. The two beautiful baby angus bull calves came from family friend's farm. They weren't really ready to take on bottle calves but we knew two little boys who were just itching for the chance.
Ah, Bottle calves. Now that's an experience every tween age child should have. First there was the stall to be built, then fencing to be done. Every morning gallons of water have to be packed and bottles must be made and fed twice a day. Since the boys can't do all this by themselves it made for a little extra work for the grownups here at Growing Boys farm as well. The plan is to raise the calves for beef and hopefully in the end have some extra meat in the freezer and that will make all the work worth it. I don't think I washed and fed this many bottles even when our boys were little.

The other project for this summer was a sort of livestock as well. Although they have become more of  Daddy's babies than any ones. We decided bees would be a natural choice to have around for pollination. A little honey would just be an added bonus. Some friends who tend bees graciously helped us to catch our first swarm and then move them to the Growing Boys Farm. The bees have been busy all summer, yep they were busy bees. We even snuck out a little taste of honey.

  Now as winter is near and the bees and bulls are settled in, I think we will try to spend a few more days cozied up by the fire and a few less days out working on projects.