OCT 2019
40 YEARS AND COUNTING
DIGITALPRINTINK.NET
417.881.5309
NEWS FROM THE FARM T hose who are regular readers of the DPI newsletter may remember a time when I updated readers about life on our farm. It was one of my favorite columns, and I know readers enjoyed it, too. Plus, it’s pure joy to see Chandler toddling around chasing the sheep, or “wams” as he calls them. I am so glad that he can create some of the
Steve Welcomes 5 ‘Wams’ and 3 Goats to the Farm
same memories his older cousins were able to have. Some of my favorite memories of Sydney Grace and Dylan include the two of them helping “Poppa.” It’s special to share that with Chandler more than a decade later. Growing up on the farm taught me many valuable lessons that I was able to pass onto my two daughters and now their children. You learn the value of hard work and respect, and if you don’t do your part, that can be the difference between life or death for the animal. But the “wams” weren’t the only addition we committed to this summer. For the first time, our farm is home
This month, I’m happy to bring it back — especially with our latest news!
Chandler, age 2 ½
Growing up on a dairy farm, farming has always felt like home to me. Jan and I live on a hobby farm where we raise two beef cows and a calf. When our eldest grandchildren, Dylan and Sydney Grace, were younger, we had a flock of sheep on the farm. With the addition of our youngest grandchild, Chandler, we knew that it would be fun to recreate some of those memories. So, for the first time since 2013, my wife and I added five sheep to our property! Sheep are the perfect animals for my small farm. They are much easier to handle than a 2,000-pound cow. That being said, sheep are more work than cows. Sheep, unlike cows, are in constant danger of being carted off by predators, require more attention, and can be more susceptible to disease. Yet, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention the tremendous value I get from raising sheep. Since they’re not the brightest animal in the world, they rely on us to keep them alive. I gain little in terms of monetary contribution from the lambs, but they become more like a pet because of the attention you have to give them.
Chandler helping feed the sheep (or ‘wams,’ as he calls them) & goats
to three goats. We purchased some pygmy goats, primarily because we knew that Chandler would enjoy them. But the goats were also a smart choice for our farm. You always have a bush or some brush that needs to be cleaned up. Acting as little brush trimmers, the goats are the perfect animals for the job. With eight new additions and more calves expected this fall, there are many exciting developments happening on the farm. There’s always news to share, and I’m sure this won’t be the last time I report on it.
1
417.881.5309
DIGITALPRINTINK.NET
digitalprintink.netMade with FlippingBook - Online catalogs