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I am Cecilia. A New Zealander who farms in Illinois.

My farms are organic and regenerative and full of stories. I have been writing here about environmentally sustainable farming and food and travel since 2011.

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LATEST POSTS


  • HERE WE GO AGAIN

    HERE WE GO AGAIN

    I am cutting the hay today. Interesting that when I decide to cut hay EVERYONE says ok whatever you say. No-one else wants the responsibility. But I have four dry days in the forecast and some beautiful leaf in the fields and no hay at all in the barns. So I am calling it. We…

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  • JUST THE WAY OF IT

    JUST THE WAY OF IT

    THIS morning early I awoke to loud cackling and commotion in the chook house so Boo and I went out to investigate. Boo shot through the door, dug his feet in and roared ahead of me, he rounded the corner at full gallop and swooped in at the chook house door catching and killing a…

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  • TWENTY DAYS

    TWENTY DAYS

    TWENTY days until I take off for Greece for a week. Merciful heavens I had better get a wriggle on. It is shocking how much slower I am without my help.  I am simply not as driven. The gardens are way behind and yesterday I was sitting on the step with my head propped on my…

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  • HOW THE GRASS GROWS

    ALTHOUGH it has been a little cooler again these past few days the new pig pasture fields are leafing up and growing beautifully. In fact the lack of heat and just a little bit of rain here and there have created perfect growing conditions for fields. 

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  • A MOVING MINERAL BLOCK

    A MOVING MINERAL BLOCK

    YESTERDAY I moved the calves slowly through the corridor paddock and into Pat’s Paddock. I just opened gates and let them wander at their own pace as the little pigs Tima, Tane and WaiWai live in the corridor paddock and I did not want any clashes – calves have sharp hooves. 

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  • JOHN DEERE 490 PLANTER

    JOHN DEERE 490 PLANTER

    Languishing in the back shed of a friend of Our John’s was this very old four row planter.  The moment he was offered it John was in the truck and collecting it. As near as we can work out with the minimum of research this looks like a John Deere 490 Planter.  Maybe from the…

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