Wait. Has it really been YEARS since the inkling of an idea hatched from the depths of our noggins? Although our documented journey here may be a bit fresh off the turnip truck, we've intentionally made small decisions here and there to continue to learn and implement ways to become a bit more self-reliant, a tad more understanding of natural processes all around us, a little more patient with ourselves.

The humans behind the prancing chicken farm are Cindy, husband Mike and two active boys, one a young adult now and one in elementary school. A farm cat, two farm dogs, and chickens round out our chosen family. We truly appreciate all that they do and give to us and others. Our extended family and friends have also had an important part in helping with advice, manual labor and support - we value and love them even more for it! Of course we also acknowledge the wild creatures with which we share this space. Having many woodland critters so close has enabled us to enjoy and keep journals of their observed habits. Trilling bird songs, chirping crickets, singing frogs, hooting owl families, yipping coyotes and all of our other wild animal neighbors keep us entertained and in awe of the greatness of the outdoors and all of its absolute raw beauty. This also keeps us in check, knowing that we are indeed a small part of something much bigger than ourselves.

We started the farm experimenting with different areas of our yard and former horse pasture to see what would grow where. This moved into researching and using various ways of growing vegetables and fruits that we chose. A good example would be using the Three Sisters method of growing squash, corn and beans, planting the corn in the middle of mounds, the squash around the top circumference of the mound and a few weeks later, planting beans to grow up the started corn stalks. The squash‘s low-growing, prickly stems and leaves would conceivably keep bunnies and other critters from getting to the tender bean shoots and the corn serves as  trellises for the winding beans. Neat, huh? We keep a small production, not planting the same thing every single year and changing it up to use container plantings also.

We eventually added chickens and have had so many adventures with them. From allowing hens to set and raise baby chicks, to having to make judgement calls on bird sickness, to keeping most of our chickens for egg production and processing select chickens for meat. A great thing is that our youngest has learned that his food doesn’t come from a package that happens to be sitting on a shelf at a grocery store. He knows first hand the cycle of life and death and life again, the changing of seasons producing sometimes different harvests of healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits. 

We pack up and head out to fish when we get a chance, including our children on many of these excursions. We’ve taught both of our children to fish and our youngest has taken to tying flies for us as well as himself to “try out”.  We love enjoying the outdoors when we can and encourage others to do something outdoors if you can. Even if it’s walking around or sitting in a spot where you can just take in your surroundings, getting outside to just be.

I am a crafty sort of gal, mostly working with cotton fabrics and felt so check out our line of handmade-by-me organizing bags in the felted cat shop! So excited to bring this to you! Check back often, there’s no telling what I’ll come up with next - I have all sorts of stuff floating around in my brain.

I want to extend a humble thank you for spending your time here. Please come back, set a spell and we’ll talk about all the things.

Cindy