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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


  • Walking  on my Legs

    Walking on my Legs

      After a full day of mowing and trimming and fencing – my legs took me up to the creek that is really a ditch to watch the sun go down. I call this walk checking the fences. Sometimes it is hard for me to just say I am walking because I love to walk…

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  • Calf Playtime!

    Calf Playtime!

    Bobby T decided his mother was spending too much time with a coffee sack and went over to play too.  Like a kid when his Mum is trying to get ready to go out. Here is a small selection of images from the gardens but really it is so hard to show them properly without getting…

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  • Hay is Down

    Hay is Down

    The alfalfa hay is down and another acre of grass hay to boot.  With showers forecast for today but lots of lovely sun after that so we will see. Hay is so important to the welfare of the farm. My cows are not fed grain, so good hay for the winter is imperative. And this hay was…

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  • Job Description

    Job Description

    An heifer is a female cow who has not had a calf yet.  Frankly I think Aunty might be developing an udder – slowly – but I cannot see it being ready for a calf in five weeks. In my limited experience a heifer begins to grow an udder about two (or more) months  before her baby.…

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  • Pause

    Pause

    Good morning. Please stand by while I rejig for the next crew. I am off to the airport after chores to pick them up. And Yes, Lady Astor is going to continue milking twice a day – she gave 50 pounds of milk last night – NO WAY we can take that down to once a…

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  • A Country Mile

    A Country Mile

    What exactly is a country mile? Is it a little like a bakers dozen? Or are there no measurements to a country mile at all. A country mile sounds slow and gentle. A bit like “mostly”  I was thinking this when I looked at front garden thinking about getting out the sprinklers and watering it.…

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