Life is good on the farm!

  Ronnie and I have been so busy on the farm with all of the ordering, seedlings, greenhouse work and gardens. There are three primary gardens, each having its own distinctive purpose. The six raised beds provide a nice spot for the lettuces and strawberries. Sweet and fingerling potatoes have a place that they can call their own. There's one large garden where the garlics, onions, cabbages, brocolli, sweet and snow peas, cucumbers, corn, califlowers, radishes, kale, string beans and peppers call home. We also have squashes and zuccinnis in a different garden. We anticipate a hefty bounty. Everything is doing well.



  Our rubarb and blueberries have done quite well. The raspberries are just beginning to ripen.



Oh no! Pigs on the loose!



  On April 5, there were 11 baby piglets born on the farm. Unfortunately, their mom was not at all interested in being a mother. Ronnie and I hand raised and bottle fed (sometimes tube fed) the piglets. All 11 survived and are sweet, happy and healthy pigs. They were in the house for the first 8 weeks and now have a place in the barn. There's absolutely nothing sweeter and cuter that a little baby piglet.



  The 1st week in May, two black white face calves were born. The bull calf has a beautiful jet black color with a pure snow white face. The heifer calf has a firey mahogony shine with a white face. It fills your heart to watch these babies run and play in the fields. Their moms have been wonderful. Both are loving, patient and devoted moms.



  The farmers markets are in full swing. Our certified organic veggies, as well as our pasture raised beef have been a huge success at the markets.






9 baby piglets in the kitchen waiting their turn for a bottle

 

PeeWee & Dot asleep in the parlor  2 days old





reaching for the sun





9 baby piglets asleep in the dog crate in the kitchen



 





As of November 2, 2011, Rhonda Withington was no longer employed or affiliated with the Haider Farm.

Preparing for winter

The farmers markets are over, so now it's time to prepare for the long New England winter.
The garlic has been planted.
We've been busy with all of the endless chores that the upcoming season brings to the farm.
Running fences, walking fence lines, cleaning pens, stacking and splitting firewood.
Our seven cows are happy and enjoying bigger pastures. Ron ran some additional fencing, allowing them to run free and kick up their heels. They're enjoying all of the pleasures and freedom that an extra pasture affords them.
We have one sweet sow. We recently got a boar to keep her company. Hopefully by the middle of April 2012, we'll have a bunch of cute little piglets running around.
Our free range chickens are well prepared for Old Man Winter. Nice warm coop, yet having the option to free range if they choose.
A seasons worth of firewood has been split and stacked in the wood shed. We've had the wood stove in the parlor warming us. Annie Gayle, our Australian Cattle Dog, along with our cats Marcella and Sam have enjoyed the fire as well.
Keep warm. Remember "No Farms....No Food!"