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


  • No more Dirty Water!

    No more Dirty Water!

    It HAS BEEN HOT. But it IS: Summer. Early summer. But nevertheless. SUMMER. There is a chance of a sprinkle this morning and I am watching for it. But the winds are too high. I fear. It will blow straight past. Much to my despair – free watering would be much appreciated. Every day now

    Read more

  • The Pig’s Flower Garden

    The Pig’s Flower Garden

    The biggest achievement of the weekend was getting the pig flower garden underway. We planted field peas, oats, sweet corn, alfalfa and an assortment of edible wild flowers and sunflowers. I also emptied all the half empty vegetable seed packs into the hopper. It will be a medley of colourful nutritious goodness. Then the showers

    Read more

  • So many pictures today!

    So many pictures today!

    Firstly I got a present from one of my children of a FitBit. I set it all up – proceeded with my ordinary day and here was yesterday. Do you have a FitBit? Or some kind of device to track steps. I am loving it. And I love that it told me I slept well

    Read more

  • The Piglets have Arrived!

    The Piglets have Arrived!

    Sometimes I have a dozen pictures but yesterday because we took three hours out of the day to collect the new piglets the work became hurried. And I just forgot to take photos. 🤭 But our first group of piglets have arrived and they are great! The piglets are all very active. One just started

    Read more

  • Turning Up The Heat

    Turning Up The Heat

    And then my friend R found us some pigs. We have families to feed and one of them is hers. And she is a local with a huge network. She heard back from an old friend and she said come get them tomorrow. Tomorrow is reorganizing day at her hog facility apparently. It will be

    Read more

  • Great news!

    Great news!

    Good morning. Another fine clear morning has announced itself and another hard but satisfying day behind and ahead. Haymaking I have two thirds of the barn sorted and up to date. R is coming today to work with me on the West side while I load another 100 bales into the East side. Here is

    Read more