Last year we planted our biggest garden yet, and come winter, the freezer was packed with butterbeans, peas, corn, squash, zucchini, okra, tomatoes, and peppers. We started our blueberry orchard and were able to pick plenty of berries from our fifteen bushes. We have generous neighbors who invited us to gather berries from their bushes as well. So far this spring we have added three varieties with plans to add more. 

 

Our twin grandsons, Wes and Wil, raised Black Sex Link and Production Red pullets for 4-H; both received blue ribbons. Wil won 2024 Grand Champion with his BSL pullets and three of them auctioned for $250 each, which helps fund the 4H Chick Chain project.   For my birthday I gave myself a small flock of Sicilian Buttercups, purchased from an enterprising 4Her I met at Stone County Farm Heritage Day; I named the rooster ‘Rigatoni’— (Tony for short, after my Uncle Tony)—and he came with five fine SB hens. Sounds really good to hear Tony crowing early every morning, and it is especially nice to enjoy farm fresh eggs.  This year the boys ordered Ameraucanas and Black Australorps, so there is a brooder-building assignment in their future.

 

The boys and I have a good system going with the coop litter —composting shavings with shrimp peelings, eggshells, and garden scraps, then tilling all that goodness back into the soil to boost the bounty. Farming makes you pay attention: to the dirt, the weather, the work, and most of all, to God’s timing.

 

The cow-calf operation—a joint venture with my son Clint and his son Clifford—is growing strong, with five new calves on the ground this spring.  Last fall, our family had our first trip to the sale barn and best of all, harvested our first home-grown beef in 20 years!

  

Hay production and baling are improving too, thanks to a lot of sweat and a few lessons learned. We added a batwing bushhog last year for keeping the pastures trimmed. Sure comes in handy having such good mechanics and operators in the family.

 

 In my flower beds, I’m nurturing something special: heirloom St. Joseph’s Hardy Amaryllis, traditional Southern red lilies originally gifted to me by Mrs. Hazel Cowart years ago; we are propagating these to share in seasons to come.

  

 Cliff always echoed what Mr. Harvey was fond of saying: “You take care of this place, and it will take care of you.”  We see the wisdom and truth of that axiom play out in real time, every day.