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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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Mouse in the Bee’s House
After the winter, the beehives need a wee hand with their spring cleaning. Also during the winter the whole hive has often migrated towards the top of the hive leaving the bottom levels neglected. Sometimes there is honey down there that they may need. So in the spring, usually late April early May. When I…
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Roll out the Free Green Dodge
The asparagus has started. Early of course. Mary’s Cat thinks he is a truffle dog but with asparagus and he is not a dog. He leads me along the rows. In a week or so we might be bunching and selling asparagus. So far they are small in width though. I did not get as…
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It rained and it was a good rain
Shortly after the camera and I and a new friend took a tour of the grounds, the skies opened and it poured. Though the term the ‘skies opened’ is questionable. As we walked around the skies closed above us. Then lowered down. There may have even been a string. It became darker, cosier. Like a…
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I don’t know about you but I am worn out with the waiting
Not so Mama. She is just calmly watching for the stork. In her usual sublime ovine dreamy state. Yesterday every man and his dog decided to drop in, plus a couple of delivery men, the junk yard man, the farmer who rents the land alongside ours, the neighbours daughters (typical), another set of neighbours looking…
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Mama takes the High Road.
Yesterday was sunny and windy and hot. Mama finally had her photo taken without TonTon but she had to go the high road. Still waiting. Still no Lambs. This Sheep is the most frequently inspected animal on the farm. Even the carpenter spends his breaks watching for signs of movement. Poor fellow is frankly horrified…
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Trees for Bees, Thee and Me
We all talk a lot about flowers for bees in the garden. Which makes me think of plants and bushes. But there are many lovely trees for bees. There are a few just showing their stuff in my gardens now. Especially in the dawn before the bees are even awake. Bees are late risers. Lets…
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