Well it’s September already. The summer was long and short at the same time. Some of the hottest and driest weather I can remember. Normally I’m sad to see summer come to an end, but honestly I’m looking forward to the cooler and hopefully wetter weather fall brings.

The pasture is nearly dried up and I’ll be feeding hay far sooner than late November like I usually do. I count my blessing however as many are already feeding hay or sacrificing hay meadows for pasture right now.
Thankfully I’ve been able to get out and cut some brush for the goats so they can feed on leaves that are out of their reach. I’ve also been hand cutting sweet corn stalks out of a local orchard’s field. These folks have been a true blessing to me. The fodder, left over sweet corn and other food “waste” from their operation has been put to good use feeding everyone here.

The well has stood the test and continued to provide good cold water for the house, pasture and garden when the rain barrels are lacking. Which they often were this summer. I hope to have a small “pond” or two dug out in 2025 to provide more water options.

The blackberries, grapes and peaches gave a good yield. The tomatoes and potatoes too were prolific and tomatoes are still ripening. Yum! Hard to beat a garden fresh tomato.

Some years are good, others a bust. That’s why any good homesteader knows, when you have an abundant year you preserve as much as possible. Same as Joseph did in Egypt against the lean years.

Checking off projects here but it’s about time to turn my attention to winter preps. Hard to think about cutting and stacking wood when it’s 90 out, but that’s what I’ll be doing very soon. There’s a lot of downed trees from wind storms in the pasture to get cut up.

The American Brese are in the brooder and I’m going to be placing an order for, hopefully the last, Cornish X chicks. If these American Brese live up to the hype, they will be the sustainable meat bird option I’ve been trying to find. Time will tell. Regardless the Cornish are raised in my “tractors” on pasture and I think the meat is far better than commercially raised birds.

Most of the does are due in January thanks to Oliver busting through the fence. Ugh! That means marketing some 4H babies and a busy winter taking care of moms and newborns. So watch for updates and of course pictures on the Facebook page!

Until next time, stay safe, stay busy, stay curious!