Our First Days at New Heritage Farms

    Where to begin but with new beginning. Mike and I have packed up our life into a car and have taken it on the road, leaving behind the energy of the city, and instead waking up to the squealing of piglets and the call of roosters and turkeys. Moving to the stillness of Toledo, Washington has been an exciting transition and a breath of fresh, calm country air. And we feel so comfortable here already, in the home of Vickey Hinkley, an inspiring amazing woman who has so much energy and radiates with kindness, even after no sleep! Our journey has just begun with a week under our belt, but we don't want to leave here for a while, with good company and all kinds of projects to get involved in, as well as babies to take care of.

    The chaos of leaving Olympia felt rushed, but we were ready. It was an interesting time to leave, with new friends of the summer and old friends returning with the vibrance of summer on their faces, and of course, the energy of fall in the air. Last Tuesday was the day we finally left, and we could of driven for hours and hours, because we love to be on the road - thoughts drift by you in the wind, and the only constant is change. However, we decided to start our journey only an hour away, staying within the farms of our local communities. Vickey welcomed us into her home and we are going to have the opportunity to help with the birthing and caring for two litters of piglets and help her transition to rotational grazing of her herd of cattle. 

    The first few days we were able to start our routine, and we have been working everyday ever since. On Vickey's property she owns 8 acres, which has been converted entirely to pasture, barn, and log home, which she designed herself. Every morning we wake up to feed and greet the animals. On this property there are eight heritage breed turkeys, which are two months old now and getting bigger everyday. These birds have their own pasture, although the turkeys love to escape by flying over their fence to graze in another pasture throughout the day. As you enter the barn, you are greeted by fifty free-range chickens. Their nests are set all over in every part of the barn, including the haystack. Finding eggs is always an adventure, but worth it! I have never seen a more vibrant egg - visualize the deepest orange sunset when you crack it. Delicious. And the diversity in age and breed is amazing. There are hens setting; their ages vary from day old chicks to six year old hens. To the right, there are two mama pigs -sows - who have been in pig pens for the last two weeks before and after giving birth. The pigs get fed well - cracked corn, oats, barley, apples, comfrey leaves, and fresh eggs - and play well in the mud bath they have made. And to the left, you are greeted by two mustang horses - Bell and McClure, demanding hay for their hungry bellies. Everyone gets fed, grunts or chirps, and the morning has begun.

    In the afternoon, we travel to "the grove," which is 60 acres Vickey leases just a mile down the road. On rotational grazing, there are a total of five 500-600 pound tamworth pigs, who come running when they hear you coming. We supplement their grazing with grain and fruits. On Thursday, we went to Burnt Ridge Farm in Onalaska and gleaned 600 pounds of apples, which had fallen from the trees and could not be sold. Pig food now! And the owner, Michael, was generous enough to give us pounds and pounds of chestnuts and kiwis that couldn't be sold as well. The pigs have a feast right now! Past the pig pasture, you'll find a herd of 30 cows. The cattle live naturally in their prairie and forest, roaming wherever they want and grazing whenever they choose. There is diversity in age and breed here too, living together as a community in the wild and relying on their instincts. Their are young heifers nursing on their mothers, many 2-4 year old cows, and there is an old, temperamental bull. With us at the house,  there are two australian shepard dogs - Sweety, 14 and Petey, 2 - and two indoor/outdoor cats - Paisley and Maxeen. There is never a dull moment! As days went on, we realized that there is always an animal to take care of. 

    Our top priority right now is tilling and planting in the paddocks of 8 acres and at the acres of pig pasture at the grove. Vickey tries to primarily feed through rotational pasture grazing. She wants to build more fertility and revitalize soil that has been stomped on too many times by horses and sheep in the past. For the next few years, she will continue to build up the soil and diversity. With continuous planting and strategic rotational grazing, there will be no need to till, and the pastures will sustain perrenial polycultures of a diversity of food for the cows, pigs, or horses.
    On Wednesday, Mike and I were on the tractor rotatilling to prepare several paddocks for seeding, which will start next Thursday. Vickey plants by the moon, and Thursday through Saturday will be fertile days recommended for planting. We are reworking soil and planting wheat, rye, oats, austrian peas, and possibly wild garlic. Existing in the soil are many nutritious native plants, like chicory, comfrey, plantain, clovers, thistle, trefoil, poor man's alfalfa, and more. We had fun on that tractor! It was the first time for both of us, and it felt pretty bad ass diggin' up the dirt on the kubota. We dug up about an acre or more in three different paddocks. I'll have to draw a map of the property and post it! 
    We worked from 9 am to 6 pm that day, and most days to follow. We are really enjoying it though! We feel in our element, and eager to be doing something all day long. As the events with the pigs unfold, the most exciting events and responsibilities were coming our way....

Welcome to the grasslands!

View from the horse pasture into the South-facing side of the barn

The barn!

View looking towards the West at the house

Mike in action!

                   

Tilling in the swamp!

 Vickey's log cabin homestead

Horses eating their morning bowl of hay

Farmin' legs

All of the apples, chestnuts, and kiwi we gleaned!

 Chickens scratching at the morning feeding and McClure munching away in the background

 Having a conversation with the heritage turkeys by the watering can

Turk-turks! 

More soon!