Summer in Review: Highs and Lows of Farming

August is coming to an end and we are reflecting on this hot, gorgeous, dry, heartwarming, tiring, accomplished summer. Farming certainly has its highs and lows.

Some days we are delighted by watering the cattle as the sun sets. Other days we are overwhelmed by the massive projects ahead of us. Most days we are fulfilled.

Here are some highs and lows from the past few months. Be sure to scroll down for lots of amazing photos from our farm dinner (courtesy of Chris Huber)!

Highs:

• Selling at the Athens Farmers Market every Saturday! We have been surprised with how much we enjoy selling at the market this first year. We like getting to know fellow farmers, developing relationships with customers, and talking about our products.
  
• Having the most animals we’ve ever had. It feels so good to walk out in the pasture and see 28 pigs or 27 cows looking back at you.
  
• Hosting our first Farm to Table Dinner alongside Chef Zach Morgan. We welcomed 40 guests onto the farm for a four course meal that was to die for. The evening was cool and beautiful with great company lingering over candlelight. Our favorite dish was the sweet corn ice cream!

Lows:

• We are currently in an extreme drought that’s likely to become exceptional. We’ve received less than half the amount of rain than usual. Athens County experienced the 18th driest July on record over the past 130 years. So we are chasing anything green that we can offer to the cattle. And we’re supplementing with hay (typically we feed the first bale in December!)
  
• The excessive heat this summer has made it hard to get stuff done and enjoy working outside. And it’s hard on the animals, so we take extra time during hot spells to give the pigs a watering hole to wallow in and haul extra water to the cattle.
  
• This year has brought a lot of growth and expansion for our business. The risk of launching the pork enterprise or increasing our beef herd sometimes weighs on us. Running a small business involves a lot of risk, so we are doing our best to market, sell all of our products, and grow the operation at the same time.