Farm Hand Week One

I arrived at the farm with my cinch sack filled: a bandana for dusty, dirty stall cleaning, my toboggan (the hat, not the sled as this is the South) because of the cold winter air, a mason jar of water for rehydration, as well as a mason jar of blood orange/lemon infused water, green jersey gloves and leather gloves, my wallet purse, the printed out directions and my sunglasses.  I also brought my Muck boots and wore my cowboy boots until I knew what would be most appropriate.  Upon arriving after only one phone call to get me the last mile to the farm, I was ushered down the driveway by a guinea.  I went in and waited with one other lady.  There were going to be three of us ladies this Spring/Summer to fix the place up.  

It was a lovely little farm. Coming down the driveway, there was the bee yard with a variety of boldly colored hives that just spoke fun to you.  There were several little cabin sheds, each decorated with friendly signs naming them and beckoning you to follow the path to them.  There were fences and barns housing a variety of animals, goats, turkeys, chickens, guineas, ducks.  Off to the side there was a roundish area that was strung with lights, known to be the "celebration" area.  Behind the house was several paddocks fenced with nice grass ready to green up for Spring and Summer.  Oh, how green with envy I am.  We have so small patches of grass, I only need a push mower for 17 acres.  In the side pasture was a pony, a couple of sheep and the buck goat.  Only having Nigerian Dwarf goats, I have forgotten how big standard goats are, and he was big, but as friendly as a puppy.  There was a paneled off area where the pigs had been.  It was an eye-opener to see what they did in one year in a fairly large area. 

It was very exciting taking the tour and I soaked up what I could just by seeing the first day; lots of mental notes taken

We did do work, weren't just there to look sexy in our Muck boots and camouflage bandana, you know.  We were initially handed a list of what she wanted us to try to get done.  Oh dear, we didn't get half of it.  But we had to familiarize ourselves with some of the animals and areas and go over a summary of what she wanted accomplished.  I personally got the goat "parlor" cleaned out, cobwebs, dust, dead rat, etc.  I am so glad I brought my bandana, even though it was not hot and smelly, it was dusty.  The three of us cleaned out another stall, spread some fresh straw/hay.  We repaired 3 boards on the fence utilizing the lessons we got with a circular saw, level and hammer.  And why, WHY was I the only one who bent the nail??   Yet, I was probably the most experienced with a hammer?  Maybe not, but probably.  So embarrassing.  We learned how to remove and put on the hay spike implement on her little John Deere-I HAVE to have a tractor in the next 3-5 years!!  My Wish List is growing by the hour...

It was only three hours, and did not feel we had done much, but then again, it was day one.  I feel confident we shall all do better this coming week and beyond. 

Oh my poor family.  The motivation I am getting.  My daughter and I spent the weekend cleaning cobwebs and wasps nests out of the goat stall and chicken coop, under the rabbit shelter and in the well house.  I really focused on what I need to do with making my own goat "parlor" and manger for when our goats are bred.  Look out y'all the whole chicken house/tool shed/goat barn/garage building is in for an overhaul-the Rachel way...

Intern Rachel at Your Service

I got the call about an "internship" at a full-fledged farm, unlike my own little flailing homestead.  Win-Win!  I get to learn a few tips and tricks, maybe discover a new skill to develop and they get free help for a few months.  With it being just one day a week, the one day that I have access to our one vehicle, I won't be losing time.  I seem to do better when I have more to do anyway and really feel I will be more productive at home because of it.  With the husband being home, he can take care of the necessaries, such as feeding the animals.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to a) have the chance to learn, b) get away from my own isolated homestead one day a week, and c) feel that I am helping someone.