spring « russ-stickacres.com Blog

June 10, 2009

Polypay on the Way

Filed under: farm — Tags: lambs, polypay, spring — Administrator @ 3:18 am

In just two short weeks, we will be adding new spring babies to our farm.

Polypay lambs.

I love having new farm babies.

It fills a deep seated need to mother.

Our new Polypay X lambs will come from an Amish farm in Gladwin. Levi Troyer.

I’ve been visiting this farm for the last 14+ years, making it a guaranteed stop on my Amish treks.

I love visiting Gladwin, Beaverton, but am leary of heading below Clare.

That is where the line is drawn for travel.

It will be odd coming home with little Polypays, just weaned.

We are used to mothers delivering their babies on site.

Belle. Our dear Hampshire/Cheviot cross.

We were given Belle, with babies in her belly.

Her prior owner said she delivered lambs that died of heart problems, once on the ground.

We steeled ourselves for that possibility, but Belle gave birth to twins who were robust and strong. Forest and Bubba. Two boys.

The next year, she delivered twins again. Lucky and Leader. A girl and boy.

We miss Belle…

We had only two sets of black-wooled babies, before Belle left our farm to live with Lucky at a local Veterinarian’s ranch.

It will be good for Luna, who is exactly 3-months old, to have some babies as farm friends.

Spring is for new life.

New beginnings.

A new dawn.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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April 30, 2009

Spring Ritual

Filed under: farm — Tags: CAFO, farm, pigs, spring — Administrator @ 11:51 am

Yes, spring is here.

Our two piglets are on order.

Two more weeks to go, then we pick up the 6-week old little bundles of squealing joy.

Am I excited?

You betcha.

We enjoy raising pigs.

No CAFO’s here.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

Bring back the family farm, folks.

If you’re new to the way most of America farms, click HERE to see what I’m talking about. Take a moment, watch the video.

If you would like a comparison, and missed this original story, CLICK HERE for Weeble’s the Piglet (Part 1).

It’s a testament of how a family farm, us, Russ-Stick Acres, farms their pigs.

You decide…CAFO or Family Farm?

Until tomorrow ~ Part 2 of Weebles coming your way ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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April 26, 2009

Come Frolic ~ Russ-Stick Style!

Filed under: Farm and Mushing — Tags: Amish, frolic, spring — Administrator @ 9:18 pm

Frolic time is here!

F.R.O.L.I.C. (Farming Rustic Outdoor Living In the Country!)

The Amish describe a Frolic as a time to come together and enjoy fellowship and hard work in performing a task.

Before the Frolic festivities begin, we are now officially enjoying Spring at Russ-Stick Acres!

It’s when we start spending every spare minute outside.

Eating…via rustic picnics.

Checking out the camp sites.

Watching the horses enjoy the cool spring rain.

Hours and hours of horse play.

Soon, it’s time to get some additional work done.

But before that happens, the next two weeks are dedicated to visiting the Amish.

Week #1 – Amish Livestock Auction. Mount Pleasant, MI. Rustic Russ is lookin’ for a 4th horse.

Week #2 – Heading back down to the Gladwin Amish to confirm our order of spring lambs (Polypay x), and pick up baked goods, jams and jellies.

Once back, we will dig in and begin our “Frolic” work.

If you would like to join us, please keep watch on our website for its own separate page, chocked full of details.

Come once, twice, or every time. Whatever your heart desires.

If you would like to camp the Friday before the Frolic, please let us know. We would love for you to be our guest.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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April 16, 2009

Cowboy UP~!

Filed under: farm — Tags: chaps, cowboy, horses, saddle, spring — Administrator @ 3:27 pm

It’s that time again.

Spring training ~ Russ-Stick Style!

Time to saddle up.

And listen to the creak of the leather saddle, as you get your winter worn rhythm back in action.

Don the chaps.

And play Cowboy.

Uncle Jeff, visiting from below the 45th Parallel, decides to join in, compliments of Buck.

Buck is our lesson horse.

The lesson is, if you can ride Buck, you can ride most anything.

Buck’s thinking…”You’re kidding, right?”

“OK, I’ll stand still.”

“But there is a limit to what I’ll tolerate.”

“Let’s try ‘er again, Cowboy.”

“Have you heard the phrase, Git ‘er Done?”

“Time’s up.”

“Perhaps next time…”

“…and perhaps this would help.”

Until tomorrow ~ surrounded by Cowboys ~ God willng,

Woodswoman

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March 29, 2009

Tug & Odie

Filed under: Farm and Mushing — Tags: animal shelter, Mastiff, Siberian Husky, spring — Administrator @ 3:14 pm

AC (Animal Control) Ellen has a new pup.

Tug.

Tug joins the ranks of many a critter who have come to Ellen’s Serendipity Ranch to be healed and homed.

Tug’s the pup who never should have been.

His mother, a Siberian Husky, came to the shelter, with a belly full of pups.

She carried the litter while ill, delivering in the shelter.

Tug battled the effects of an unhealthy, and unwanted, beginning.

And won.

However, just when he thought it was safe to come out of the water, disaster struck again.

Days ago, Tug was rushed for emergency surgery for an obstruction.

He now has a belly full of stitches and staples, from stem to stern.

With proper treatment, and a lotta love, he’s surviving.

And thriving.

He’s a fighter ~ and will make one heck of a sled dog from the looks of it.

Nothing will stop this little guy.

Tug is now enjoying the freedoms and tomfoolery that Spring at Serendipity Ranch provides.

Enter Odie.

185 pounds of curious boy.

Odie also found his way to AC Ellen, via the shelter.

He may be “Odie slow”, but once he gets going, watch out.

It’s like being on an NFL playing field.

Feet compliments of AC Ellen.

Nera, also an adoptee, steps in.

Passing the baton.

It will be interesting to follow Tug on his journey as a sled dog.

Let’s hope the first couple months of his life proves to be his most difficult.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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March 15, 2009

She’d make Saint Paddy Proud

Filed under: farm — Tags: bull, calf, cow, Irish Dexter, Saint Patrick's Day, snow, spring, sun — Administrator @ 4:39 pm

All week at work, I was like a kid waiting for school to get out for the summer.

Finally, it’s the weekend.

First order of the day ~ Luna.

Our five-day old Irish Dexter calf.

(For more information on these adorable family cows, click here.)

Good Mama Dixie.

Finally, temps above zero.

The sun is a welcome visitor to Russ-Stick Acres.

One huge snow cone awaits.

Happy, grinning, proud Papa.

Our registered Irish Dexter bull ~ Dexter’s Double Dippin’ Dudley the Studley.

Or Dudley.

Shiny, strong, healthy, curious Luna.

We waited 9 long months for you.

Luna enjoying the sun-drenched barn.

Dixie ~ life returns to normal.

Luna spending more time with older brother, D2.

“Are you ready for me yet, Boss?” Zip in the shadows.

Visitation over.

Rustic Russ escorts D2.

Back to some quality time with his father, Dudley.

Zip wonders if she will get to herd them anytime soon.

She can only hope.

And wait.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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