Down on the Farm... On Iron Oak Farm

I am lucky enough to live not far from some great people who let me play on their farm and when the need to smell a barn strikes me, they even let me go inside. My need to smell barns probably stems from my favorite earliest childhood memories of visiting my grandfather’s barn.  It is just something about the smell of hay and animals that take me back. I really can’t get enough. Strange, I know.  

Tonight, I was lucky enough to take in some haying being done out on the farm with my 9 year old son. As we pulled in the smell of the sweet cut grass was the first thing that I noticed.  From our view in the drive way we could already see my friends in the back acres picking up hay bales using their trusty old tractor affectionately called Ruby. I am not sure, but I don’t think Aaron was quite as excited as I was about the prospect of haying. He did however scope out their pool and I knew he found his bliss. 

Turkey Pullets

First thing I like to do once I get to their farm is check out how all the animals are doing. They always have something new and exciting going on, whether it is baby goats and bottle feedings,  breeding certain chicken breeds or getting a flock of heritage breed turkeys, there is always something new to see.  I love the turkeys that they have this year. It is easy to see the resemblance to dinosaurs. They move so much like the raptors in the movie Jurassic Park. I cannot wait to see how big they get. Baby animals and poultry are great. I mean who doesn’t love the babies, but there is also something very cool about a big ol’ fat hen or tom turkey…or chicken for that matter. I just love them. 

My boy walked through the barn, he really liked their Nubian goats, and then quickly found the pool. I mean, it was a hot end of June day so I can understand. I, on the other hand, jumped at the chance to catch a ride out into the hay field and learn all about the baler they were using to bale their hay. It was incredibly cool to watch the equipment make nice tidy bales from the rows of mowed down hay. Shoot, the baler, even tied the twine around the bales. Not that I think this is by any means an easy day at the office, baling hay, is for sure a back breaking thing that farmers need to get done on the hot dry days so they do not lose much hay to moisture and rot. 

My Boy on a hay bale

My farmer friends even let me take home a piece of the farm. I got to raid their garden and pick myself a large bowl of salad greens and a zucchini. There was a white carrot for dicing, but it never made it back to my house. My dearest little one ate it while still at their farm sitting in my car. I must admit, I am completely jealous that they already have fruits and veggies to harvest.  My poor little garden is starting to get flowers so things are moving in the right direction, but definitely not ready to bear a product that is for sure. 

My Harvest ; )

It was a great way to spend a summer evening. Call me cheesy, crazy, nerdy or maybe a dork, but I really do enjoy my field trips to the farm.