Like a Fly on Fly-Tape

 

A child growing up on a farm is like a fly on fly tape.  No matter how hard you try to separate yourself and get off the farm; a part of you is always stuck….

We’ve all read many stories about kids returning to farm; they run off after high school to college, test their footing in the real world, get a degree, start a career, yet something is missing. Then, they return home to Mom and Dad, or a Grandparent, go into a partnership and the rest is history.

My story is a bit different.  I grew up on farm, like many kids, with all the activities and opportunities that it has to offer them. My chores started with feeding calves; then I moved up to milking and feeding cows, and other tougher responsibilities.

I realized in high school that I wanted to farm.  When my parents switched from conventional dairying to rotational grazing I realized that I just might have a chance. In fact, I wasn’t planning on going to college at all. It was my Dad who thought I should go “so I’d have something to fall back on”.  It was fun; educational; and it did give me some good internship opportunities with huge learning experiences.

As soon as I was done with college I worked full time for my parents, got married, bought a farm, and started a dairy.  Our dream came true and we live it everyday.  Our kids have 120 acres to explore; they are home schooled and raised by their parents.  We raise most all of our own grass fed meat (beef, pork & poultry), drink our own cows’ milk, and have a modest garden.  We work hard in return for all of this; but hard work is good for us.  It’s good for our kids to know what hard work is.

If you feel like you still have a wing or a foot stuck in the agricultural way of life I encourage you to stop struggling to get off the fly tape. Embrace it.  Even if you are unable to farm on your own for a full time living, you can probably grow a garden, join a community supported agriculture group, enroll the kids in 4-H, or put up a backyard chicken coop.  Make an appointment to take the kids to visit your local farmer and show them that food doesn’t magically appear on the grocery store shelves.  Don’t run from your roots; cherish everything that farming has taught you, then teach it to your kids.

Come out this week for the Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair.  Next to the city park in St. Johns, there are many things to do and see. Nightly entertainment, youth animal shows, projects on display, and great food.  This fair has a reputation for cleanliness, friendliness, and fun.  Come visit with your neighbors and friends at the fair! July 29th-August 1st, 2013.

Being Content

The great thing about Bragbook Facebook is that you get to see what everyone else is doing.  The worst thing about Facebook is that you get to see what everyone else is doing.

During the summer our Facebook page is covered with vacation pictures from trips that our "friends" took.  Sometimes, you get the minute-by-minute update on that cooler-then-ever event that they're at right now. 

Its hard to not let our minds go into jealously mode, thinking about how much we'd like to go away, or do what so-and-so is doing, or have that new gadget. Sometimes we have to work extra hard to just be grateful for what we have right here and now.

I have been on some pretty good vacations in my lifetime.  The only vacation I remember going on with my oldest sister was to California, when my dad was president of the Clinton County Farm Bureau.  Being in 1st grade the plane ride alone would have been good enough, but we also got to stay in a top-notch conference center and went to Newport Beach and Disneyland.  I don't remember doing anything with my oldest sister, but I know she was there.  Fast forward 25 years and I got to go on an over-nighter with my sister. We rode in her Mustang, all by ourselves, down to Ohio.  We listened to songs that were not played on family life radio.  We had a little sleepover with my sister from Florida and her daughter in a large bedroom at my brother's house.  If you just forget the why for the trip it would top out as #1 in memories of trips with both my sisters.  But the funeral visitation for little Marcie the next day was horrible.

Growing up mom and dad took the rest of us on a trip to New Mexico, and me and friend twice to Nashville, Tennessee.  There were awesome 4-H trips that filled in the gaps, including white-water rafting in Pennsylvania, a trip to Gettysburg, and a trip to Washington, D.C.

We have struggled lately with having time off.  As a family, we had a three day weekend last October before the baby was born, the day the baby was born, and a one week vacation while the cows were dry in March.  Individually, Rick's had off to go on the boy's 4-H trips, and the Red Power Show in Ohio.  Rick has worked our last two weekends "off" so I could sleep in, and I went to the AFGC conference in January, and Cousin Camp-out.  Its not the same, though. Being married, God sees us as one.  Even if I'm off, its hard to get that project in the house done, or take the 5 kids anywhere, by myself.  And it certainly isn't nearly as much fun.

The problem was/is somewhat situational; somewhat choice.  The good news is we've spent the last four weeks finding our additional team member!  With his permission, I look forward to introducing him soon.  He will be a good addition to our current team member, Ashley, who has been with us for almost 3 years.

I won't however, let myself go into trip planning mode just yet.  We're not necessarily free and clear every other weekend.  Sometimes, my mind will wander into a campground or state park, but I quickly shut it down until we see how things work out.  One time, 4 years ago, we hired a girl, and trained her for two weeks.  One morning I called and made non-refundable reservations at a state park in Kentucky. That afternoon she called and quit.

For the time being we will concentrate on being grateful for what we have gotten to do and what we have right here at home.  Just living in this house, having freedom to go outside, checking Facebook, worshiping on Sunday morning, having more than 1 child, and owning our own farm are all things to be grateful for, and all things that somebody else is longing for.

The Bible reminds us:

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Philippians 4: 11-13
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Home-school Helpers

The most common question we get asked about our home school is "are you worried about their socialization?"

They're always taken aback when I say "yes, we are...that's why we're homeschooling."

As we all know, things are not the way they used to be.  When I went to elementary school, one neighbor kid's mom was the recess aide, another was the lunch lady, and one of my best childhood friend's mom was the 5th grade teacher.  There was a lot of "moms" looking after you, and they had a bit more freedom in correcting any behavior that went astray. And they did.

There are many, many wonderful teachers and families out there who are utilizing the public school system.  I actually have many christian friends who teach at public schools, which I am grateful for.  They are needed there!  There are also many, many negative influences in the system now.  Teachers have less and less freedom to discipline and teach kids moral & ethical values.  Some kids have way too much freedom with social media, television, computers and music, and bring to school things that my children do not need to learn about.  We want our kids to have a christian education, so we home-school.

Our kids have an abundance of social interaction opportunities.  They interact with people of all different ages at home, from adults to babies.  With our supervision, they get to visit with people we do business with, the milkman, our team members, the fuel delivery driver....the list goes on and on.

They are not at home all the time. To round out our home school curriculum, we have lots of activities. For example, we participate in our local science center's home school science days.  Two weeks ago, the 3 oldest went to Bible School. The week following that the two oldest went to Sports Camp, a week-long day camp at the community college that teaches the kids how to play many different sports.  This week we had our annual cousin camp out (21 cousins present, with first aid and CPR training), took the 1st batch of meat birds to the butcher, and the hoof trimmer came.  Coming up this summer is two weeks of swimming lessons and the 4-H fair!  I would almost say we are on the edge of being one of those "hyper-scheduled" families.  Did I mention the music lessons???... whoops!

The key for us is to know what we (Rick and I) are good at including in the curriculum and what we are not.  Those things that we are not as good at can be done elsewhere, like at Sports Camp.  It might not be the same as year 'round physical education, but it meets our needs.

Although we don't have bookwork during the summer, here are some pictures from the learning opportunities the past couple of weeks: 

The boys at Sports Camp with camp director Nicki.  They played normal sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and dodge ball, as well as variations with water balloons.  Now, one of our local community colleges will seem much more familiar when the time for higher education comes.

 

Day two of cousin camp-out.  The theme this year was "A Carnival of Cousins". We had inflatables, face painting, a juggler, cotton candy, a hot dog stand to serve food from, and adult games such as volleyball and Frisbee.  My parents and siblings and us all make an effort to create these themed camp-outs for the cousins.  Cousins are special people, and make great friends!

 The first group of meat birds off to the butcher!

 The hoof trimmer arrived much earlier then expected. Rick was not home, so I called for the boys. I told them to round up the already-sorted cows out of the paddock by the barn, and put them in the holding area between the brown gate and the red gate. They ran out and did that, told the hoof trimmer where to park (it was the nephew of our regular trimmer), got the gates set up, and had three of the five cows done before Rick got home. When I checked on them, Josh said "These boys know more about what's going on here than I do!' They did a great job!

We finally got a second bathroom!!! LOL! The port-a-jon arrived today for the barn project.  There's going to be a lot of people here this next month, so we thought this would help.  Now, when we're out doing chores, we won't have pay attention to who's "behind the barn" before we walk out there! :)   The driver said he had 90 more to deliver....I think I 'll keep my farm job!








Have a great weekend!

-Terri

Signing on the Dotted Line....Part 2

This is the second part in a series on farm & family finances.  We are so excited about (and thankful for) our new project!

The farm still has debt.  When it comes to the business we look at it a little differently. Although we would like to be free and clear,  for us some debt is necessary to keep the farm in a profitable position.  We are very cautious when it comes to borrowing money.  We ask ourselves if:

1.   It is a profit-generating project
2.   If not doing the project will have a negative impact on the farm
3.   Can we make the payment even if the market tanks?
4.   Have we paid other debts off? ( or are we just be stacking another one on?)
5.   Is it really needed? (or are we just being wishful in our tiredness?)

We also pay attention to things such as our net worth, asset: liability ratio, cash flow and other financial indicators.

Proverbs 27:23 "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks and herds."

From the beginning we have wanted to build a barn to house the cows in.  It was our goal to save up enough money to do so.  We still could, but we really need the barn now.  In muddy/inclement weather situations we are using the same amount of space for 118 cows that we used for 60.  Now that we own some equipment, we need to be able to put it inside for the winter to extend its usable life.  So the plan is to use the old housing for storage for equipment & feed, and build new housing for the cows.  The cows haven't complained about being out-wintered, but now the lanes will take less of a beating, the cows will be cleaner on the muddy days, and feed (read $$$$) will be saved now that it's under cover. It may also be a little bit easier to find or retain team members with a better facility.  If not, at least we will enjoy it!

Signing on the loan for the new barn.  I signed too, but someone has to take the picture!  Look how happy the farmer is! He has worked so hard-now he can go at least another 34 years!

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 

We do not feel like we're a slave to our lenders.  We feel more like we're on a team, working together to win the game of dairy farming.  Truth is though, if we become irresponsible and make bad financial choices, we will have to do what they say, because they have a stake in our business.  Until the last payment is made, it is our obligation to prove that we are worthy of their trust and investment.  We honor God as best as we can by not taking on more debt than we can repay.  We also sleep better.  We encourage you to take a good hard look at your personal and business finances.  The first step is often the hardest one to take, but it may be as simple as picking up a book, or making a list of debts you're going to focus on paying. What matters is that you take that step, or keep walking (for some of you) to reach your goals.

-Terri

This Week in Pictures

Last Sunday we loved seeing the baby skunks at Mom & Dad's! The skunk's mom was killed in the road, so these little fellas have been camping out in the calf hutches, and they wander around as they please.  Everything is cute when it's little.....



Just in time for Father's Day-it doesn't matter what you're doing, as long as you're doing it together.

1 of 6 fields of hay put up this week for a total of about 480  bales

Rick, loading bales-most often we load our own loads, and unload at the wrapper. But this time I was blessed by his presence and he loaded his wagon and mine.

My hay haulin' crew!

They say milk is good for the skin...

"Eat more pork!"


Happy Father's Day, Dad!
Hope you have a memorable day!

Signing on the Dotted Line....Part 1

This is the first of a two part series on farm & family finances-How we think; operate; and plan for the future. Stay tuned for part two for an exciting new adventure for Grazeway Dairy.

Its probably no secret that we're big fans of Dave Ramsey.  His no-nonsense biblical approach to finance has helped people of all income levels get their financial affairs in order. Dave speaks the truth about responsibility and what it really means to honor God with the money He provides for you.

Dave has also wrote a book called EntreLeadership.  Its about the steps you need to take to succeed in the world of small business.  What sets this author and book apart from all the others is the fact that Dave was once bankrupt himself.  He now uses his own experiences to council others and get them (or keep them) heading in the right direction. 

One thing Dave claims is that you can start a small business without going into debt.  Is that possible in Agriculture?  It might be.  You could start with 1 cow, get her bred, and grow your herd.  You could lease your cows to another farmer until you herd is big enough, and then rent your own farm.  You could trade labor for use of equipment until you save up enough money to buy some very used pieces.  Along the way your herd (under good management) would continue to grow, you could trade up on equipment, and save to buy a farm.  Around here land is going for about $6,000.00/acre, or more.  If you could save about $2,000 a month(with a modest herd milking), it would take about 25 years to save up the money to buy a 100 acre farm.  Hopefully it would have some sort of milking facility on it already.  And a house.  At this point, assuming that you started when you were 18, you would about 50 years old.  Still some life left in you to farm, for sure!

We didn't take this route.  We took out a mortgage and bought a farm, having about 60 head of cattle to start with.  25 of those we had an additional loan for.  We also had a loan for the parlor we built.  Kind of makes us look like hypocrites, huh? I would like to think not.  We only borrowed what we absolutely had to have to get going. Here, you cannot build on land you do not own. So we bought the land.  When we ran our finpack farm analysis, 60 cows  was the minimum to turn any kind of profit. So we bought the cows.  Milk cows need to be milked. To send milk on the Grade A market (the best price) you have to have a facility. So we built one.  But it stopped there.  We only borrowed money for things that we absolutely had to have to get going.  As we paid that debt down, we bought some other things that are really useful to farmers; a truck, a tractor, etc.  Most (but not all) things we paid for with cash. But it took a long time to get to that point.  We're 11 years in and now we find that if we buy used and old enough items we can typically save & pay cash for them.

We do not have any personal debt.  That is something we have also worked on over the years.  We do have 1 personal credit card, when used it is paid in full each month. We carry no vehicle loans, and the last two kids that we had were paid for as soon as we got the bill. That meant we stayed less than 1 full day in the hospital (and were blessed with healthy babies), but it was worth it.  Having no personal debt doesn't mean we live high on the hog. It means we only have one bathroom, no smart phones, vehicles that are 17 & 8 yrs old;  a big garden and our travel trailer (just bought-with cash!) is as old as Rick is-literally.  Material things do not matter as much to us as making memories, so often our funds are directed more towards family activities (& giving) then buying "stuff".




Check out this find! A 1979 Nomad 23ft travel trailer!  Vintage is in, and for once we are with the trend!  It was taken care of very well, stored inside and treated with respect.   We're having a blast shopping for the Tupperware and housewares from the same year to match the red, brown, & orange (original) interior.  The kids love sleeping in it (even if parked in the yard) and I'm sure some good memories are to come.   The best part? $1500.00 (after negotiations, of course).  No more than the cost of  a 1 week vacation for a family of 7.  Like Dave says, have that vacation paid for BEFORE you go!

 -Terri

Color-Coded Kids

Psalm 127:3:5
Children are a gift from the Lord;they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Children are a gift from God. They have wonder, imagination, curiosity, and trusting spirits and can be a real joy to be around. However, they can also be a "handful" as many people say it!  We love having a handful of kids-5!

Many of you may have noticed in the pictures of the kids that they always seem to be wearing the same clothes. Well, they are-kind of.

The farm poses a special circumstance when it comes to laundry. For each person that works outside, you have a wardrobe of "barn" clothes, and then you also have their "good" clothes.  When the two oldest boys were younger, their barn clothes were merely good clothes that were past their prime.  They shared these clothes; and often we would find them on the floor at the end of the day (not in the dirty clothes basket) or there would be arguing over the favorite shirt that they both wanted to wear.  There was also a lot of outfit changes. They would start the day off in good clothes, then change to barn clothes, then back to good clothes.  The good clothes (although not dirty) would end up in the dirty clothes basket, resulting in needless washing.

As our family grew, my sister recommended a book, called Large Family Logistics.  It is written by a farm mom of 9 and is packed full of good ideas for house keeping, organization, meals, etc.  Our laundry system is adapted from an idea out of her book.

I assigned each child a color. I actually tried to pick one that they liked, and one that complemented them.  Each child got 2 crates, one for shirts (6) and sweatshirts (3), the other for pants (4) and shorts (4). Early on I ordered color-coordinating sweatpants for each child online. The older boys now prefer jeans, which I buy at the local second-hand shop.  These are their barn clothes. They also got an apartment sized laundry basket, and I duct-taped the handles with their coordinating color of duct tape.

Crates for barn clothes with the oldest child's at the top. When the baby is old enough, we'll add a shelf and move everybody up one shelf.

The system:

1. Each child size 2t+ puts on a new set of clean barn clothes each morning.
2. The older boys then put their dirty barn clothes in their own basket in the evening (or when dirty).
3. The older boys are assigned a wash day, and wash their own barn clothes by themselves using the washing machine in the barn. Its good practice for them.
     A. If they have no clean clothes, it's their own fault.
     B. If I find clothes on the floor, I know exactly who they belong to, by color.
     C. They are responsible for drying and taking care of their clothes, too. 
4. The younger kids still put their dirty barn clothes in with ours and we wash them...for now!

Now, we do not go through as many "good" outfits as we used to.  They change before we go out; and we are instructing them to hang them back up as soon as we get home, unless they actually have debris on them.  They do not need as many outfits, either.  Less clothes for each person is also much easier to manage.  Each of the kids has 3 good pairs of jeans, and 2 pairs of shorts, about 5 collared shirts, dress pants, and numerous t-shirts from their clubs,teams, or activities. 

With our family of seven, we still can get by doing laundry only 1 day of week for the most part. Occasionally we will have an extra load during the week, but not often.

This color-coded system also works for towels:

and water cups:

The initial investment was around $280 for the barn clothes, plus the crates (6 to start, then 2 more added later).  The t-shirts we ordered have the farm logo on the front, and are going into their 3rd year of use.   The boys love their "uniforms" and I will have to replace them soon, and go a size up for them.  We have occasionally had to replace pants and shorts due to unrepairable holes.  I'm not sure if I can count the cost of the towels and cups as extra, given that the towels were the first that we bought since our marriage, 12 years ago.

In a perfect world, all of our "systems" would work, all the time. Truth is, they don't. When there is a system failure, we just try our best to tweak what needs fixed or what is no longer working.  It also allows us to use real life as a tool for training the kids how to not be wasteful of things, time or money.   Remember, everything we have is a gift from God-especially the kids!

-Terri