An Autumn Montage, Or: I Never Got Around To Writing the November Newsletter

Hey all,

Well, it seems that the season ran away from me. I had plans for the November newsletter, but now I’m adjusting to new housemates, recovering from a car accident and continuing to learn what this farm really is and what we will become. I’m certain I’ll send out another piece before the end of December; for now, I thought folks might appreciate a visual of our Autumnal activities.

For the third semester running, we were graced with the presence of St Lawrence University’s student-led chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Spearheaded by Renate, an enthusiastic carpenter from Norway, this group spent their every available weekend here, becoming an integral part of farm life. Their original mission was to assist with construction of the Summer Dacha, a small, two-room barn built for pigs, cattle and sheep. With that quickly accomplished, they moved on to the Snuggle Tunnel, where the sows and gilts farrow. As drought and frost hit the gardens, activities diversified. Elizabeth harvested scads of potatoes, Lauren learned how to rotate the sheep, Gretchen moved hundreds of gallons of rainwater, and Owen stacked several month’s worth of firewood. We spent one nerve-wracking but satisfying morning installing roofing and a weathervane, with Ellie, Renate and I balancing on ladders and rafters while I tried not to panic. Liz and I had great fun discussing ornithology and mammalogy, comparing which cool birds we’d seen lately. And everyone cheered the day that Lemon Balm, our gilt with spina bifida, got up and walked for the first time in months.

Habitat’s visits brought cheer, enthusiasm, exuberance and contentment to each week, and the farm would most certainly not be where it is without them. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do; all image credits go to the students.

Best,

Kia

On their last day at the farm, students from St Lawrence University’s Habitat For Humanity pose with Brian, Kia-Beth and the sheep flock.

Kia-Beth and Adrienne, a veterinary student, dress Galadryal, one of the oxen.

Students learn to use the circular saw, cutting lumber for the Snuggle Tunnel.

Renate hugs Theodore, one of our Highland bulls.

The cows are very, very popular with the students.