Our first broody hen..a red silkie.

Well,  its looking alot like spring…for the uninitiated!  While we’ll likely receive more snow and freezing weather, I look for any opportunity to be optimistic about the coming warmer weather!

So what’s new on the farm?  We have our first broody chicken..a year old red silkie, Silvia.  She is sitting on 8 banty eggs and we expect some young chicks next week if all goes well.   She has decided on a pretty cold time of year to sit, but maybe she knows something I don’t.

Both Beaugart, our new rescue and Reno, our rehab project are flourishing and getting strong…more in separate posts.  Stay tuned.

Upcoming events on the farm:

Sunday March 21st…’Beyond Dairy:  Raw Milk Processing and Cheese Making’, presented by Lisa McCrory from Earthwise Farm in Bethel, VT.  This class is full, but if you have interest in raw milk or cheesemaking, please email me (judkinsj.uvnn@gmail.com).  We will plan another class later in the season.

Saturday April 3rd…’Hoop House Raising’. Have you ever thought about putting up a high tunnel or hoop house to extend your growing season?  Well, I’ve been reseaching the project and plan to conduct a hoophouse seminar.  We’ll build a hoop house out of PVC, wood and wigglewire.   Plans, material lists, cost, and resource list will be provided and plans will be made for the next hoophouse raising at your house.  Lunch provided.  No fee…just bring your cordless drill 😉  Email me if interested… judkinsj.uvnn@gmail.com .

Piglets are arriving next month.  They are on the ground and 2 weeks old as we speak.  I went over to check them out this week…darling little things.  This year Resting Heart Farm is raising pigs, co-op style.  Piglets are available for sale, by the half or whole…live.  We will arrange feed and board then humane slaughtering on the farm and custom butchering for select clients and family.

Saturday April 17th…Plowing Bee at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT.  Sponsored by Green Mountain Draft Horse Association.  Meeting to follow.  Reno will be attending and we are hoping to pull a walking plow!  http://www.greenmountaindraft.org/ for more info.

Saturday May 1st…GMDHA  Auction at Addison County Fairgrounds.

So begins one of my favorite and busiest seasons.  I hope to start blogging weekly again now that my ‘seasonal affective disorder’ has started to lift 🙂

Reno helps salvage a fallen Maple tree after the ice storm