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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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Old Man Wind Brings The Challenge.
The hay man came a day early to bale the hay (the rain clouds were gathering) but it was not dry. It was green. Too green. So with my heart in my mouth I said maybe we can look at it again tomorrow. Maybe it would not rain. The fella sighed with relief. He had…
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Periscope Pig
Sheila lives in the Corridor Paddock and sleeps in the Sun Room of the barn. But when she lays down she makes sure that her snout is poking through the gate that leads to the corridor in the barn. Like a short stout periscope. Her nose is always sure to get a wee scratch as…
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The Bobble Headed Owls have come. Be afraid. Be very afraid!
The birds have discovered the wine grapes. Every time I walked under the arbor a little flurry of rising wings could be heard. The pea hens are residing in the peacock penthouse because last year they ate a third of my crop and now the sparrows are taking advantage. Serious measures had to be taken.…
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Heavenly Heatwave Smoothie
One of my favourite tastes of the summer. And there are SO many. The Heatwave Smoothie. Designed and named by my friend Elaine in Australia who knows about the heat and nutrition. After I passed out last summer with a wee bit of sunstroke I am careful to ensure my body does not get too…
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Cooling Our Hot Heels
The heat has finally come to the Prairies. I must be very careful that everyone has plenty of water. All the pigs will have their wallows topped up each morning. And I have discovered that if you hose the heels of a cow she will stand quite still. If you try and hose her back…
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The farmy from the air..
I have been wondering how to show you the layout of the farmy. There is so much going on and every field has a name. This must be a little confusing for you. Hairy in The Yards, he head butted me yesterday, so he got the Karate Kid high kick, a solid tap with the…
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