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


  • Pop Quiz! Identify this:

    Pop Quiz! Identify this:

    In the absence of sunlight: it is time to entertain ourselves! You have three seconds! Three Two One DING! Oh you are all too good. Yes. It is indeed a teenager cow’s nose. The cow was saying to me – quit with the photographing- throw the damn hay over already! The mystery of the missing…

    Read more

  • When there are no eggs three days running

    When there are no eggs three days running

    No eggs – anywhere. And I was collecting six eggs a day until three days ago. They laid right through the deep freeze. So I know the chickens are laying somewhere. You know what this means right. The little buggers are laying elsewhere, probably UNDER the boxes and at this time of year and with…

    Read more

  • What are your tokens? Your treasures?

    What are your tokens? Your treasures?

    What small precious pieces of your life would you pack if you were going to ride your horse right out of here. Just get on your horsey, whistle your dog and move on out: Think fast. Um – •My knives in the leather wrap made for me by my dear friend. •Saint Joseph a small…

    Read more

  • Our heads are in the Clouds

    Our heads are in the Clouds

    Literally. In more ways than one. Sun free living can make a person or an animal sad. But I have an antidote! Seed catalogues 🤭 Let yourself plan. I am going to bet on an early spring and late frosts. It is time to get out all my saved seeds. And pour over the catalogues…

    Read more

  • Rain On Ice

    Rain On Ice

    No one is going anywhere today at least until it warms up a bit. Everything is still covered in ice – but the temps are rising today! So far we have rain on ice. Just above freezing. Solid ice with a layer of running water on top. The conditions are officially treacherous. Quacker is thrilled!…

    Read more

  • The Penance of Freezing Rain

    The Penance of Freezing Rain

    This morning the skies transition from the deep cold, up through the buffer of freezing rain and into above freezing temperatures. Fast I hope. Because. Yes. Freezing rain. Ice falling from the sky. My arch enemy. It looks like this from inside the house. Where I am often not. Frozen. The windows are iced up.…

    Read more