Well, this time we’re all going to contribute a little about what we do. You’ll get a snapshot of current events at the farm, through everybody’s eyes. 

I, Marvin, do most of the planning, ordering, delegating jobs, and marketing; I look after sales of Bio-Ag animal health supplements and Normans Naturals dog food; and the Cackellac poultry shelters which my brother makes.

The past few days I have been working at ordering black currant and gooseberry plants for spring planting; I discussed chick arrival dates with Henry, our chick supplier; Jesse and I installed a shelf above a south-facing window for more seedlings; we put casing on a new window that we just installed (we changed around some walls this winter). I looked after a couple of Cackellac and Bio-Ag inquiries.  I checked around for organic oats for the chickens because our supply is running low. Jesse and I are learning about solar energy, since we’d like to reduce our dependence on electricity from coal and nuclear power. We just got a used solar water heater that we hope to set up this year, to reduce the amount we spend on water heating. We are also designing a solar forced-air food dehydrator, using the stainless steel drying racks that we use to dry herbs. The picture shows me planning our berry planting by candlelight, during a power outage.

Here’s Amanda, my dear behind-the-scenes wife:

I am the mom of these eight children that you might get to see at the Halifax Forum Market, or at our farm market stand during the summer.

Yesterday we started our first seeds indoors. We did six trays, just enough to give the girls and me an excited feeling that spring is coming! In a week or so we’ll set up grow lights in our mudroom. Later, we move the plants into one of our Cackellac poultry shelters, with ends closed off and heated, for a greenhouse.

During the winter there’s not as much outdoor work on the farm so we have time to do our homeschooling, and plan for the next growing season.

Selema:

Hi! I’m Selema, the oldest in our family, age 18 (turning 19 this month). Today I was making pickled eggs. We have a surplus of eggs right now, so we preserve them – they’re handy for quick lunches. Adoniram (age 3) was doing a great job helping me peel the cooked eggs. I think it’s one of his favorite things to do, and he’s getting pretty good at it! We often do things together, while all the other children are busy with lessons. We do most of the cooking and housework around here. In my spare time, I enjoy practicing piano, reading, writing, or going on a walk.

Rebecca:

I’m Rebecca, the second girl. I’m 17, and in my last year of high school. I jump for chances to work in the kitchen; this afternoon I’m making pumpkin chiffon pies. I also prepared the soap to send to market tomorrow. And winter is a good time to make more soap for the summer. It’s also a good opportunity to write more poetry. Writing is also on my agenda for the summer; I hope to tell you stories of ordinary days on the farm. Today, the snow is still falling on the fields.

Judith:

I’m Judith, and I’m 15 (almost 16), the youngest of the girls. I’m usually the one who cleans the eggs and gets them into cartons for selling. I enjoy the daily job – especially now that spring is on the way, and the hens have upped their production. I like winter, though it seems we haven’t had much snowy weather this year. But I’m looking forward to spring, too!

Jesse:

A few weeks ago Dad, Caleb, and I made a roller-crimper for hooking up to our two walk-behind tractors. We made it out of old garage door rails and a barrel for the roller. I also cleaned the old grease out of the gearboxes of the tractors and re-greased them. So now they’re all ready for summer…and I’m looking forward to it even though we hardly had any winter.

About a week ago Caleb and I tapped our dozen or so maple trees. It’s not ideal sap running weather but we already boiled down a couple litres of syrup.

Caleb:

My brother Jesse and I do the chores. Jesse normally does the chicken chores and I feed the cows. We have to carry water from the hydrant at the back of the barn because the hoses freeze. I go to the loft and get a bale of hay for the cows and make sure they have enough salt. I get hay from a round bale outside for their bedding and I get some for the chickens. They peck through it and get out the seeds. If Jesse needs help with the chickens I help him finish them.

Last year I planted Atlantic Giant pumpkins but the bugs got them. I still have some seeds, so this year I’m going to try again.

I like making things out of wood. So Jesse and I make climbing bears, ox and horse teams, boats, and sometimes I cut out animals. We sell them at the market.

Jonathan:

Every year I have a place in the garden the garden where I may plant any thing I want to and sell some too. I usually plant sunflowers, corn, and a few other things. Last year not much came up, and what did died. It didn’t do well. I hope it does better next year.

Usually I start a fire in the stove in the morning. In the evenings I often help Jesse and Caleb (my brothers) with the chickens in the winter. In the summer when we don’t need a fire and have broilers and turkeys I always help in the morning and evening.

Next year I might plant watermelon seeds in my garden.

Daniel:

I had a garden. I have a bean plant growing in the house.

Adoniram doesn’t write much yet but Selema wrote about his days. You’ll see him in the pictures of Selema and Amanda.

Well, there you have it. Late winter 2018 at Bountywoods Farm through 10 pairs of Weber eyes.