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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


  • The laziest cows in the world

    The laziest cows in the world

    Were you wondering what cows do in the summer? Laze about, thats what. This little trio of cows do nothing but sleep out under the trees. I guess it is a summer thing. The best cows are happy cows. And flies do not a happy cow make so this cow has a clothes line. I…

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  • How long since it rained at your place?

    How long since it rained at your place?

    We daily lifestyle bloggers are lucky because our blogs read like journals and for farming bloggers the weather is one of the most important notations in our journals. So, all I had to do was scroll back to see when we last had rain. Our last rain was on May 8th. You and I remember…

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  • Get back to bed, she said

    Get back to bed, she said

    You are too young to fly! And Miss C lifted the little bird, for the fourth time that day, off the floor and placed it back into it’s pretend bread basket nest. Little bird glared at Miss C and waited for her to leave the chook house full of savage chickens before hurling himself back…

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  • The Battle of the Pond

    The Battle of the Pond

    Creating a backyard pond without the use of chemicals is all about using running water and life forms to maintain a kind of pond equilibrium. A balance of fishes, frogs and plants and people and moving water. Ponds without a water source are not natural. Without a human helping, the pond will end up being…

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  • We need an artist

    We need an artist

    Th-is hazy dry morning brings a post with many images and few words. We don’t always need words right? “Tell Miss C not to take photos of cows when they have something in their teeth. It is just not cricket, sir.” Or maybe this big beastie needs to say a thing or two every now…

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  • Barn Swallows in a Banneton

    Barn Swallows in a Banneton

    No – I am not going to bake them like blackbirds in a pie. We have Barn Swallow nests all through the barns- I think they might be my favorite birds. And my constant companions as I work or walk in the gardens disturbing bugs for them to eat. Barn Swallows eat insects, lots of…

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