“How cold is too cold for a cow?” is a common question we get here at the farm. With an early February cold-snap sending temperatures well below zero and another current dip, this is a very reasonable question. Cold temperatures, however, are not our biggest concern when evaluating the weather, though it shouldn’t be ignored. …
Visiting East Mountain Farm
When I’m not working at Cricket Creek, one of the things I like to do best is visit other farms. I believe it is important to be constantly exposing myself to other systems, infrastructure, equipment, marketing strategies, etc. Not only is it important, but it is fun and incredibly interesting. Last week I went for the …
A farm in winter.
A blanket of deep white snow makes winter emotionally official. It is lovely and it is harsh. When the night temperatures dip down into the single digits and everything is covered in thick snow, some things change on the farm. Our cows are eating stored forage that we put up for them over the summer. …
GammelGarden visit – by Paul Lawler
This week I paid a visit to GammelGarden, a microcreamery in the truest sense. Stina Kutzer, with help from her sister Marta Willett, work dairy magic with a herd of 6 Jerseys and 1 Guernsey girl. They churn out delicious cultured butter, with enough quality flavor that at room temp it could be mistaken for …
The end is nigh, and then it starts again….
A wonderful part of farming in New England is the changing of the seasons. There are four distinct periods of time and with the official end of summer, another transition is upon us. In fitting fashion we baled our final cut of hay on the last day of summer and the weather has been quite …