Author Archives: Reber Rock Farm

We got more good news last week from Racey’s doctor: she has been recovering well from her surgery now more than 2 weeks ago and the doctor said she was cleared for some hiking and camping in the woods. We had a family vacation planned for this past week and we were not sure ifContinue reading “BLTs and Blue Skies”

I would like to start with a few updates: Last week I shared the journey our family has embarked on with Racey’s cancer diagnosis and surgery. This week we spoke to the doctor and discussed the pathology results, which brought good news! We learned the term “negative margins,” which sounded discouraging at first, but actuallyContinue reading “Custom Cut Pork”

A picture can be worth a thousand words, and mean a thousand different things. This week was just that, a week with many meanings. I have been searching for the ways and words to describe and convey what this week has already taught me. The picture above is the best I can do. At firstContinue reading “Happy/Sad”

As a family, as farmers, and as business owners we make an effort every year to spend some time relaxing by the ocean. Perhaps it is my childhood memories of learning to sail, the endless treasures and mysteries of ocean life or the calming rhythm of waves breaking in the beach that draw us? WhateverContinue reading “Farmers on the beach”

Perspective is everything. There have been summers, in years past, where my main focus was on harvesting and storing animal feed for the winter. This meant harvesting grain and cutting and baling hay. These activities depend primarily on “good drying days,” which means watching the weather closely and hoping for a few consecutive icons ofContinue reading “Summer Rain”

July is in full swing. We started the week with temperatures in the 90s. For much of the country this would be a relief, but we have been enjoying highs in the 70s all summer, and so the jump in temperature is always a sweaty and lethargic adjustment. We delayed our chicken catching on SundayContinue reading “How to Cool Off in the Heat”

It is easy to personify other species. As a human who works a lot with animals, namely chickens, cattle and hogs, I relate to them as I know how: though my lens as a human. As my own lens broadens and my awareness grows, I find that how I see the world of our animalsContinue reading “Pigs Smile”

I wished for a nap this week and never got one. The fortifications that Lewis and I made on the brooder have proven good enough to discourage our opportunistic resident raccoon. We had no more break-ins and no more midnight chicken carnage. Sunday evening Lewis was our helper again and he helped me and ChadContinue reading “Catch Up and Recover”