Spring! New Beginnings...

Spring is here! Well, as I write this, it's 33 degrees, and actually spitting SNOW!  But I'm still excited. The most exciting sign for me is that the cows are reminding me that they were created to live on pasture, and eat grass, not just stand in front of a feed bunk. Though they have all the free choice hay that they want, they have all but abandoned it and are now spending all their time on the pasture.

This is great for several reasons. For one, I can stop purchasing really expensive hay. One thing I've learned in the past few years is that this land produces the best hay I have ever found anywhere. I have purchased truckloads of supposedly excellent organic hay from Colorado, Wyoming, Ohio, and all over Indiana. With only one exception, (Neal McDonald's hay from Trader's Point Creamery,) the production has always dropped significantly when I ran out of my hay, and switched to purchased hay. This year, our home-grown lasted until March 1st, longer than ever before. My goal for this year, is to produce enough to make it all the way through next winter.

The most exciting thing about the cows being on grass, is that the milk is surely infused with higher doses of beta carotene, vitamin D, and who knows what else! The production is also up by 40% in the past few days. The Great Milk Shortages of 2011 are hopefully ending with the end of Winter.  And, new calves are being born!

Remember, that no matter what you might be going through, no matter how hopeless or harsh, there is sufficient Grace to see you through.  There is Hope, (which also happens to be the name of a young heifer that recently calved, and looks to be a wonderful addition to our herd. :)  

Spring is here!

(follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/markapplefarm

The Blog Is Coming to Life!!

After having a Near Death Experience that has lasted for a year and a half, the blog is waking up, rubbing the sleep from its eyes, shaking the cobwebs, and ready to get back to work telling of the life, events, and fun on the farm.  There are changes coming to the store, and there is renewed energy and excitement for the future.  I want to thank everyone for your interest in the farm, your support, and your friendship.

The farm is not just a typical business with customers.  This is truly a community of people working together.  We are all co-producers.  Your words of encouragement have truly lifted me.  I intend to do a better job of communicating my part of 'co-producing' for our community.  I hope you will take part as well. 

I believe great things are in store for 2011. (pun intended:)

For those of you on Twitter, feel free to follow along @markapplefarm.