Blog Archives

Martha's Kids

4/28/2018

At 9p.m. tonight, Martha delivered triplets: two boys and a girl. All are safe and healthy. Martha is looking strong post partum. We are very grateful that all were born without complications. Many thanks to my husband David for taking more tasks so that I could wait with Martha all evening. Lorel and Kevin came by to blow dry the babies, as the temperature had dipped below 50 degrees. Our international student Miguel arrived in time to see the first kid appear and helped me hook up the heater.

Of course goat babies are so beautiful.

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The LONGEST SPRING

4/22/2018

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Our famous weatherman Tom Skilling has evaluated April and found that it to be the coldest April in 137 years. This weekend the night temperatures at last are above freezing and snow has not appeared in several days. Last week, we have purchased an editing software. In the process of sorting files, I discovered several short videos, one from each month, showing the long winter of 2018. Please click on the youtube video below. We would appreciate if you could 'like' it.

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WWOOF-USA Volunteers in Spring

4/22/2018

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We are very thankful for World Wide Opportunity for Organic Farming, USA branch. As spring finally arrives, we remember three wonderful people who have stepped into our lives and given us a boost on preparing for Milking Season and Goat Yoga.

Bertha Iniguez came to us for two weeks and this lady knows how to work. We were able to make the basement a work area for seed preparation. Bertha accompanied me to Good Food Expo in March for a talk on worm culture. She also wrote announcements, set up Criagslist postings, and helped with general chores. We wish her well in her plans for the future.

Jordan and Brocton came through our homestead in a brief but potent six days of work. In one day, they completely rebuilt our chicken coop, cleaning up rat infestation, giving us 20 more square feet of work space, and enlarging our nesting area from five spots to 14 spots. Please note the classy wave pattern in the chicken boxes. The hens all gave their approval.

They guys also tilled the Waller Street Pasture for planting, and created a yoga class area for May. Thank you WWOOF -USA volunteers for helping us prepare for our busy season.

One example of their work was the new hay feeder. I had been losing a LOT of hay by using boxes on the floor. The goats would simply step on the feed and then poop on good hay. Jordan and Brocton anchored this heavy hay feeder on the wall of the garage. Jordan tested to see if the feeder was attached properly. No goat knocking this thing down.

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Project Five: Application for Raw Milk Sales

4/18/2018

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Last year we received funding from Frontera Farmer Foundation. Through these funds, we were able to set up our pasture fences, buy milking machine equipment, and finally build a milk processing room. Our final project with Frontera was to apply for raw milk sales permit with the State of Illinois Department of Public Health. We began this process in late March, and our first inspection occured on April 12. Inspectors sent a good report that our farm has complied with infrastructure requirements. HOWEVER the inspectors wish a visit once the milking season begins. Kidding Season begins next week. After babies are settled, we begin milking. One step at at time.

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Pearls of Spring

4/16/2018

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From the Ides of March till Today April 16, we have had intermittent snow. Just when we think it is ready for a beautiful spring with tulips and daffodils and forsythia, it snows. One day when the temperature was above 49, I found a small sign of Spring. I was so excited I caught a short video and uploaded it on Youtube.

Enjoy the Surprise of Spring.

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Carolyn Ioder

Seeker, Wife. Mother, English Language tutor, goat farmer, friend

GOAT NOTES

(Carolyn's dates & thoughts)

February
2/4/17
Girls come home!

2/4/2017
applied for Funding WWOOFUSA
2/11/ 2017
Root Riot Meeting at Glennart. Planning garden changes.

2/18/2017
> Urban Livestock EXPO
Cheese Document plan EXCEL Program

2/27/2016
> FIRST GGG Gathering

March

3/9/2017 Plant: Spinach, lettuce indoors

3/21/2017 First day of SPRING!!!!

3/22/2017 Plant carrots with garlic

April
4/1/2016 Plan/repair pasture fencing

4/5/2017 set up potato beds

4/12/2017 Kidding Season begins
> Plant potatoes

4/21/17 Milking season begins

4/25/2016 Set up fencing

May
> Kidding season continues
5/20/17 Spring Gathering
5/25/16 plant Sweet potato in beds watermelon. squash

5/10/16 Cheese making begins

5/15-7/2/16 Last two does duePatsy and Destiny

June

July
Sale of bucklings

August
> Sale of bucklings
> Weaning begins

September
> Cheese making continues

October
> Sale of doelings
> Cheese making continues

November
> Dry out the does

December
> Does to Wisconsin for breeding

Martha's Kids

The LONGEST SPRING

WWOOF-USA Volunteers in Spring

Project Five: Application for Raw Milk Sales

Pearls of Spring

Carolyn Ioder

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