Our First Week At the Farm!

David, Matt, and Kevin just after packing the trailer

Our F-250 7.3 Diesel Truck

Well it finally happened! We took the first step to becoming farmers. We embarked on our long journey from south Florida to north Virginia. We packed our bags right after Justin (Rachel's brother) and Kayla's wedding. We loaded our U-haul trailer to the brim and embarked on our 18 hour road trip to J&L Green Farm. It was supposed to be an 18 hour drive... but after one big hill in North Carolina called Mt. Airy, pulling over 5 times because of an over-heating engine, leaking transmission fluid, a new radiator cap, 4 gallon jugs of coolant, 2 mechanics, 3 hours waiting for the repairs to get done, and pouring down rain it turned out to be a 33 hour trip. But we made it! And that's all that matters. We are here and we are learning how to farm! Rachel and I love it so far and it's so exciting learning all these new things in a hands-on format with personal responsibility. In 8 months we will know how to run a successful sustainable farming business.

This will be our humble abode for the next 8 months of our apprenticeship (we are currently in the Green's basement until it gets a little warmer outside). Believe us when we say that this is an upgrade compared to other places we have lived together.

If you look closely you can see our truck, our fifth
wheel, the work shop, the furnace and wood pile.
The furnace heats the work shop and brooder.

Our first day on the job we spent our time unpacking, doing daily chores on the farm, while it snowed! Everyday we start our day off at the "Bird Haven" farm doing daily chores which include putting wood into the furnace, taking the kubota side-by-side atv to feed, water, and check electric fencing for all the forested pigs. We feed the "farrow" sets (usually 5 sows) by hand with five gallon buckets. The "feeder" sets (the pigs raised for meat) have huge feeders which we have to fill with burlap sacks and tractors. We also help with giving hay to the cows and sheep. The sheep are having baby lambs like crazy right now.

Literally just born, you can see blood on the
ground, the mother is in the process of
eating the afterbirth.

Matt heard a mother ewe yelling and arrived right after a baby lamb was born. It snowed all day even when the sun was out. One morning while Jordan (our boss) was taking the ashes and charcoal out of the furnace, we found out that he lets it cool off for three days and then feeds it to the pigs! It acts as a natural de-wormer and is good for their digestion. The pigs went crazy over it when we gave it to them. 

Pigs enjoying the mild weather today.

We also learned how to tear down, set up electric fencing, and move pigs. It's amazing how portable a whole acre of electric fencing is, two people can carry everything. Learning how to wire a one acre area of electric fencing had its challenges, but we caught on pretty quickly. There is a lot to remember but it is fun to learn.  We also put bedding down for the ducks and younger pigs who are in a pavilion, sheltered from the weather until they get older.

Huge pile of  wood chips used as bedding
for the animals. All acquired on farm.

We also prepared the brooder to receive 1300 new chicks. Set up the heating and put fresh bedding down for them. Also cleaned everything very well. They are so cute!
At the end of the day we head over to the other farm, Swover Creek, and collect chicken and duck eggs. 

Rachel carrying 2 dead laying hens to
the truck to be later composted. 

Josh (a manager at Swover Creek) and his
son Titus following us on the ATV
after collecting eggs.

Then we spend the next 2 hours sorting, cleaning, and labeling them. It's a great time to listen to music and talk to everyone while getting the eggs ready.

We are looking forward to all the new experiences tomorrow will bring. We have learned so much and it has only been 3 days! We are looking forward to the next 8 months and the challenges/adventures they will bring. Check up on us at this blog at the end of every week to share what we've learned and experienced as new farmers. We thank you all for your support and prayers, we love you!!!