WELCOME!

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.

Join Us!


LATEST POSTS


  • ABUNDANT SUNSHINE

    ABUNDANT SUNSHINE

    Look at all this beautiful sky. This is one of the reasons we struggle through the deep grey of winter. Once summer finally pulls the curtain the sky opens up and I feel like I can SEE once again. This is the natural home for those of us who suffer from environmental claustrophobia. Beach people.…

    Read more

  • TECHNICOLOR

    TECHNICOLOR

    I wanted this mornings title to be RIOTS OF COLOUR but there was no riot. Yesterday proceeded with business and purpose and NOISE but most of all – calm. The opposite of riot. But the colour is launching itself into the remnants of our sepia winter with thoughtless riot-like explosiveness. And I am glad.

    Read more

  • THE THREE TIA’S

    THE THREE TIA’S

    My friend John from Chicago has many Aunties called Zia (Tia means Aunty in Spanish) and his favorite  (though he has other favorite Aunties too) has an apple tree here that has just come into blossom. Planted right beside the turkey house. And then I have Tia the heifer. And then there is Aunty Del…

    Read more

  • WIND LIKE A BLOW-TORCH

    WIND LIKE A BLOW-TORCH

    ALL DAY YESTERDAY and all the day before that the wind blew hard and hot. Like a blow torch. My skin was black with dust and my hay fever was out of control. The storms and rain last night was very welcome. Though Boo jumping onto the bed when the thunder rolled was not so…

    Read more

  • EVERYONE IS OUT

    EVERYONE IS OUT

    WELL, Almost everyone.

    Read more

  • SAD FROZEN ASPARAGUS

    SAD FROZEN ASPARAGUS

    THE Asparagus spears keep pushing their heads above ground only to be frozen by the recurring frosts. Last night it was not meant to freeze but once again the temperatures drifted slowly down past a reasonable temperature. Our patch of land is the lowest for miles around so it gathers here.  Like gas seeking the…

    Read more