TexasMadness
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Sand Holler!
Well, I figured I ought to fill you guys in on what is keeping me so busy! Sand Holler is going through ANOTHER big changeover. The new caretaker family is leaving soon, to move onto their own land nearby. Full time farming isn't working out for them either.
BUT, we were lucky enough to have added another caretaker recently. The idea was that if we had one caretaker leave, we would have continuity and the other would stay to help us through the transition into the next people. We figured this might come into play a few years from now...but not in less than 3 months! Yikes! You'd think we were working these people into the ground....the caretakers that are leaving are responsible for taking care of and milking the goats 5 days a week. Takes 2-2.5 hours. They were running the CSA on their own and getting all the income from it but have dropped out of that. The other caretaker has taken over and I've got to tell you, I couldn't be happier!
She is a HARD worker. Super dedicated, loves farming. Her rent chores are taking care of the sheep and chickens. Takes about 2 hours a day on average, an hour on most days with some longer weekend chores like barn cleanout, hoof trimming, etc. She can make money working for the CSA, which now she does (pays about $6/hr when you work it out). And then she gets "bored" and does all this other farm work just for the sheer passion of it. She has restacked the old lumber pile, fertilized the flower gardens, mowed the lawn, etc. The place looks great!
So the farm is in transition again. The family is staying at least until mid-October but will be leaving before February. My mom can't get back involved with the farm until the end of a trip in October. Kidding season starts in February and they don't want to be there for that since it will mean more responsibility for them. I now know why the place was driving my mom nuts. She had two adults whining about having to do 2 hours of chores a day for a free place to live. I figured they were still just settling into it. Then last weekend they came to me with their "escape plan"! 
Other than that, the farm is really great. The does are giving oodles of wonderful milk. I'm making soft cheeses and freezing them for the winter when the does are dry. We are going shopping for a "boyfriend" for the girls and think we found the perfect one...and free at that! The breeder has felt that she wronged us with one of the does with a defective udder, so she wants to give us her buck she is selling. He is registered and everything!
My chickens moved to the farm and haven't adjusted fully. All 27 hens only produce about 12 eggs a day. Might also be the heat. I hope they pick up soon!
The sheep are doing great. Took them in to get castrated last week. WOWZERS, I am learning to do it myself next year! We were convinced by the breeder to have it done at 6 months by a vet. Well, $100 later, I'm wishing I had done otherwise! But they are all growing nicely and even the shy one is getting a bit better with us.
OOOHHH, and how could I forget? The caretaker that is staying has a cat...who just had kittens on Sunday!!! Four kittens, but only 2 alive. The other 2 probably weren't viable. She is a first (and last!) time mom and that's pretty common. She is part siamese but both of her babies are all black! Last I heard, Raven and Crow were top on the list for names. I'll get pics this weekend!
Whew. So that's it in a nutshell. That plus all the usual stuff of remodeling my house (still!), experiments at work and family life. No rest for the wicked!
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8/19/2009, 11:26 pm
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Firlefanz
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Re: Sand Holler!
Oh, wow! Poor TM, that's a lot of change right there. Hope that the Hard Working Lady can turn the place around, just for the love of it.
All the best! 
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8/20/2009, 8:44 am
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Re: Sand Holler!
Goodness, Texas!! What a lot to deal with...but I know you...you're one strong lady and can handle it.
I was thinking, earlier today, about Willie Mae. Is she still there at the farm? If so, how's she doing??
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
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8/23/2009, 7:03 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Sand Holler!
Mrs. Donks, as my dad calls her, is doing just great. She has lost all of her baby fuzz and looks so grown up now! She's still a young little thing, but she is growing! She is taking care of the bucklings right now until they find a home. She's a good guardian!
The farm this weekend was a blast! Despite all the turmoil, things are really turning around. I work really well with the farmer that's staying and we have exciting plans for the CSA.
Oh, and the winter squash is coming in! It looks great! We are a little tired of the usual summer fare - black-eyed peas, okra, squash and cucumbers! But now we also have peppers, winter squash and hopefully sweet potatoes next week.
I'm learning to make new cheeses too. I tried my very first hard cheese. It's "cheddar"...doesn't taste like cheddar at all but I thought it was delicious! It's such delayed satisfaction making hard cheese since you have to wait months to know how they turn out! This morning I made Manchego and I can't wait for it. It's my little cousin's favorite cheese...he's only 4! I don't think I had ever heard of Manchego until a few years ago! 
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8/24/2009, 10:05 pm
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PerpetuallyCurious
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Re: Sand Holler!
Jeeze O Petes!! People complaining about that bit of work for a roof over their head and I would happily do it just for the learning experience (if you all weren't so close to Hell that is.... climate-wise  )
I'm glad you have one good keeper there and that things have been turning around.
I enjoy reading your updates on the progress of the farm and hope things even out quickly for you all!
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8/25/2009, 6:54 am
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