Meet the Crew
posted on
January 26, 2021
“A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other’s lives.” - Wendell Berry
When I began to seriously consider raising grass-finished beef one year ago, the advice I found in every corner was to start small. So here are I am, a year later, with eight Lowline Angus cattle and a plan for gradual growth. But this is certainly not a one woman show. Despite the small size of my operation, the day-to-day labor, soil building processes, and decision making include many people, plants, and animals pitching in.
So let me introduce you to the crew!
Meet the soil builders. The carbon sequesterers. The sunlight converters. Lowline Angus are a smaller-framed breed, but they pack a punch when it comes to the amount of meat they put on. We have six steers and two heifers that are about 14 months old. They’ll stay here for another year, until they’re taken to the butcher at 24 months.
They are a docile and curious bunch with different personalities. #114 and #123 are often in front and will approach you for a good head rub. #116 is brave but not a fan of cuddles. The heifers #122 and #115 stick together. #124 lost his mama at a young age, he’s the runt.
More important to this farm are these grasses! Many graziers (people who graze cattle) consider themselves solar or grass farmers - cattle are just the tool. The goal is to efficiently capture the sun’s energy in the form of robust and deep-rooted grasses. While the grasses grow, they take in carbon dioxide and put it into the soil (more on this later!) Meanwhile, the cows convert that plant energy (cellulose) that is undigestible by humans into fats and proteins in their meat. When making decisions about how frequently to move the cows or how big of a paddock to give them, I’m thinking most about the life cycle of grass and how to support its growth. Grass is my biggest ally on the farm.
Some news!
Raising beef is about playing the long game. In the meantime, I’ve developed a new side hustle making jewelry. My earrings, necklaces, and coasters are all made from found or upcycled materials, like deer bones, pawpaw seeds, and wood. Stay tuned on Instagram for when my Etsy shop will be open for business.
What I'm Reading
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry | Just finished this lovely short novel about an elderly woman reflecting on her life in the fictional town of Port William.
To Live Here, You Have To Fight by Jessica Wilkerson | A non-fiction book that reveals “Appalachian women as the indomitable caregivers of a region — and overlooked actors in the movements that define their time.”
Stay and Fight by Madeline Ffitch | Starting to notice a theme? I’m diving into literature about the history of resistance movements in Appalachia, as well as the ongoing culture of self-sufficiency. This one is a new novel by a local author and activist, gifted to me by a good friend.
The Tiny Journalist by Naomi Shihab Nye | One of my favorite poets. “Internationally beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye places her Palestinian American identity center stage in her latest full-length poetry collection.”
What I'm Listening To
Check out this January Spotify playlist of the tunes I’ve been listening to while hauling water, serving Rural Action as an AmeriCorps member, and making jewelry.
