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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
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Once a day milking
I have been taught that when dropping from twice a day milking to once a day milking it is important to change the routine completely in the afternoon. No calling to the cow. No talking to the cow. No rattling about in the milking parlour. No singing. Definitely no singing. Do not go anywhere near…
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The Cow Bra
Has arrived but is still in it’s box for the moment. Can you spot the spelling mistake? We need to wait until the wound is past the cracking scab stage. Sorry to be so graphic. But the bra will push the teat sideways and I cannot risk it being pushed in the wrong direction and kinking…
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mr pink
Up until now this little black chick has been called Black. But yesterday I decided to call her Mr Pink. There is absolutely no basis for this change other than I think this tough little chicken just might give us a lecture on tipping. Even though the wee thing is probably a girl chick. When the hatchery…
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Walkies
Every week I try and set an objective for the week. This coming week it is to get the pigs walking again. Somehow over the last few weeks Sheila’s walks have been forgotton. But the last two evenings we have gone on excursions, accompanied by Poppy of course. Sheila is deeply out of shape. It…
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Alone Again
My second Farm Stay visit was as successful as the first. This is indeed a wonderful idea. And now Allison has gone back to her real life. And I forge ahead after a wonderful week of help and company and laughter in amongst the sadness of losing Mama, and Daisy with her injury. Even though Daisy and…
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Sunday Morning
Good morning. I am late popping in this morning. Last night in the hour when I usually load pictures and briefly sketch out the chat about the day, I had company. Which was lovely. Allison said that as she went off to bed, at a reasonable hour, she should have wagged her finger and said, It’s…
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