When the Systems Fail

Surviving when your farm is in crises

Hello Friends,

Welcome to a new month, the final one of official winter. In just a few weeks, the spring equinox will happen, although for many of us, spring weather will take several more weeks to arrive. The changes are already beginning. I see fresh grass growing (amid the leftover icebergs of January. I have been thankful for the days when it felt like spring, but not surprised to have my coat back on the next day.

Before we get too giddy about the upcoming season, I wanted to share some deeper thoughts on this winter. I was lulled into a bit of complacency over winter. Here in the mid-Atlantic region I describe our winters as mostly mild. There is a chill, and some extended periods below freezing, but rarely does it last past a few days at a time. I can handle anything for a few days.

This winter called my bluff. I cannot handle even a few days, especially when the few days moves on to several days and then weeks. We not only had record breaking cold, we had a snow and ice storm that was epic. Not a thin coat of ice, but full on battle armor of ice coating EVERYTHING. The intermittent warm ups didn’t even begin to eliminate it. Winter did not play by the rules. Sunshine is supposed to eliminate the snow in a few days. Instead we had snow and ice, blocking gates, paths and doorways for several weeks. It hurt to walk, it hurt to carry water, it hurt to feed the animals. And of course we did walk and carry water and feed the animals. We had no choice. It was largely unnavigable, but we had to navigate. It wasn’t safe to ask others to come and help. It was treacherous. And so we carried on and tried to pretend we were younger versions of ourselves.

Anastasia digging through the last remnants of snow and ice to find a green morsel or two

Over the lifetime on this farm, we have put together plans and systems that we use to carry out the daily tasks. We have backup systems in the event of power outages, frozen pipes, snow drifts, and flooding. We muddle through. Until this year. There was no muddling. We struggled.

We adapted the systems to the circumstances. Gates that were frozen in ice were gradually chipped open. Feed was brought to the sheep on a narrow path of wood chips. The tractor removed the ice little by little. One sheep paddock was dug out.

After awhile, life returned to a normal pace. Several weeks went by before the chores did not require all of our reserves. But, winter slowly lessened her grip. When the pipes froze in the wool shop, we were able to haul water from our home. Was it harder? Yes, but it was possible. The animals all had fresh warm water twice a day. Drink fast before it freezes!

Sissy collapsed during the cold that preceded the ice storm. For weeks she was pampered, kept warm, and fed twice a day. I shared her recovery last week on this platform. Was it hard? Yes, but look at her now! She has regained weight during the coldest winter. She is strong and healthy and back with the flock. Not a bad result for an older ewe.

Sissy

During all of this God laid a simple phrase on my heart. “Difficult is not the same as Impossible” I grasped that tightly. We were struggling, but we were succeeding. All of our older sheep survived, and because we changed some systems, they were able to maintain their weight as the caloric demand increased to keep them warm. As soon as we could, we separated the flock into two sides of the barn. For two weeks they had less competition for the pellet feed and hay, and each one put on some weight. Even Anastasia who, if we are being honest, is quite fluffy even without her wool coat. She enjoyed the time of extra rations.

The older hens did not fare quite as well, but in each extreme, heat or cold, the older hens will succumb. We moved several to the wool shop if they were suffering. Some survived, some did not, but we did our best for them.

I look out my window now, and see that the predicted snow has arrived. Not a big storm, just a ground covering probably. Winter is still here. If we dig a little, we can find signs of spring waiting in the wings. (Cue the hot weather and my constant complaining about the humidity and excessive heat!) Winter gets the same amount of calendar time as the other three months.

Winter doesn’t cut itself short or rush to be done, no matter how much we crave and long for spring. Spring will follow.

It will arrive and take its time settling in but it never fails to arrive.

Genesis‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬ : “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” ‭

Another certainty we can depend on, God will sustain us through the trials. When our manmade systems and plans fail, God is always near. His plan is to prosper us and not forsake us.

2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

In God’s Grace

Janet

PS: If you came for current events at the barnyard, garden and the wool shop and book shop, please read on! If you came for current events in the world, you won’t find that here. I will forever encourage you to be informed from reputable sources, and to find your encouragement in the Lord.

Around the Barnyard

During a completely beautiful weekend the chicken coops were scraped out and freshly bedded. The compost will eventually make it’s way to the gardens, but not before a lengthy aging. Using fresh chicken poo in your garden can burn your tender plants. While chicken manure is great for nitrogen and fertilizing the soil, it needs a significant “cooling off” period. Rabbit manure, horse and even the sheep poo can be used fresh or composted. These are considered cooler nutrient sources.

In the Garden

We did not expect a thing! I stuck my hands in the soil, mostly testing the soil temperature. Surprisingly, I found quite a few potatoes that did not freeze into mush. We enjoyed them for dinner. I also pulled the remaining carrots, most were tiny anyway. Several of the sheep love a carrot treat, tops and all. I cooked some of the carrots, the remaining onions, and the surprise potatoes with garlic, butter, seasonings and chicken breasts from a local farm. It was a delicious harvest meal.

The Wool Shop

The dye pots have been scrubbed, the shop cleaned of winter clutter, and I had several custom orders to dye. The sunny warm weekend was the perfect time to begin. Pink, burgundy, teal, brown and taupe were the results, just as I hoped. My special order book is open for March dyes. If you have a project and wish to discuss an order of natural dyed farm raised yarn, please write back to this newsletter.

I have been going back and forth on taking orders versus dyeing a collection of colors. For right now, I am staying with the special orders. I do currently have sweater quantities of all yarns from our flock.

Romney - Worsted, DK and Sport

Finn/Perendale blend - Worsted, DK and Sport

The yarns are two ply.

Let’s discuss your project!

On the Bookshelf

We are moving through editing on several books that will print this year. Our newest book release is Eggcited for Chickens by Hafsa Saleem. The introductory price is still available! Check out all of our books at SawdustPublishing.com .