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.

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LATEST POSTS


  • Little Pig in the House

    Little Pig in the House

    This little piggy stopped eating and stopped getting out of bed. He was hunched and lethargic.  The others would push and pull eating at the food and by lunchtime he would just stand still while they jostled him this way and that. Just like the other piglet that died last week. And  then he stopped getting…

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  • The Ring-Master

    The Ring-Master

    Sheila. Showing you her performing cows.  She literally has them running rings around her. They obey her every bark. Not a lot of news from yesterday unless you want to call weather news. Which I would rather not but that is all I have. Frozen rain was falling from the sky over-night.  As we prepare…

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  • Big Birds in Barns

    Big Birds in Barns

    The barn is heaving with birds at the moment, not only the big domestic birds- all the homeless roosters that are not allowed to live with the hens, the peahens and the two oldest guinea fowl on the planet, and Mr Flowers the peacock, here is dear old Pania – one of the original peafowl,…

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  • the full moon night

    the full moon night

    After the dinner is done and the dishes  are done and the writing is done. I  stand in front of the fire and put all my cold weather gear back on, my clown suit, the jacket, the hats, the scarf, the gloves, pick up the long torch and walk out with the dogs into the…

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  • A Touch of Ice …

    A Touch of Ice …

    … is enough. A touch of ice is enough to scare this girl who grew up on a new Zealand beach. My new truck with four wheel drive has saved my bacon twice in the last two days.   Though I do not start her up often – this vehicle uses a lot of petroleum…

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  • Fresh Air.

    Fresh Air.

    Tia is the sweetest calf. Both of these calves were hand raised with the kindest of people yet it is only Tia who, when she sees me, will quietly move in closer for a scratch.  Tia and I have a real connection. I am entranced.  I have a good feeling about this wee heifer and…

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