As I clean and pack up my things, it's really hard for me to believe that it is my last night to spent here at the farm. Yes, I know that I have to leave; I have completed my internship and I now must move on with my life, but it's hard. I really have come to enjoy Max and Leigh (Max is the other full-time intern left, Leigh is his g/f), and also the animals.
I used to hate sheep. Yes they are incredibly dumb animals, but they are also easy to handle. You can make them do just about anything you want, as opposed to cows that outweigh a person by 1,000 pounds usually. I have made some pets out of the sheep and I'll definitely miss the dogs too. It's a beautiful place here and I never fully appreciated it until recently and it's odd to think that I won't be here anymore.
One thing I forgot to mention about a few weeks ago... We've been keeping the donkey in during the day because he's been having issues with his hooves and with getting too much nutrients. Well, he has his own bucket of water which is left there during the day. One morning after milking but before clean up (Max and I were taking the sheep out), I heard a squeaking noise similar to the sounds my chinchillas make when they're distressed. I look and there's a waterlogged chipmunk trying to swim (or 'doggy paddle') for his life. He couldn't jump out so if I hadn't saved him he would have drowned. I picked him up and put him in the inside pocket of my carhartt sweatshirt for a few hours and he recovered. The funny part is when I was holding him, he spit out a water-logged piece of corn into my hand; the little bastard was stealing our corn. He obviously mistook the water bucket for a corn bucket which is what is normally in the basement of the barn. It was amusing to me. I rehabilitated a chipmunk.
Anyway. Enough being sentimental. The pigs were out this morning. I walk out of my house this morning to see a pig walking up our road. They had plowed through the fence we made (literally plowed) ... They had piled a bunch of dirt in front of the fence and pushed with a ton of force; I know because I had to dig up that fence and pick it up. But anyway, somehow I managed to get all three of them back in by myself. I was so proud of myself! And then Bob had me go pick up a total of 12 fences, 3 of which were the pigs'... And build 2 sheep pastures. It's alright though, the only issue I had (besides the buried fence) was the terrible bugs.
Today was incredibly rainy... It never stops, and when it does it's so hot and humid out! I'm not sure if I prefer the rain over the warmth... But I'm going to guess that yes, I actually think the rain is okay comparatively.
Alright, bed time. We're trimming the milkers hooves tomorrow and running them through the foot bath before I leave I guess. So yeah, early wake up time! Woo!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
I am so frustrated!!!
So Bob and Ann came back on Sunday night and were around for Monday morning chores. The bad intern was to be leaving Monday evening. Since it was my day off, I was going home with Mark (since I don't have a car)... I had a job interview on Tuesday for a job in Liverpool which went very well... Then I came back to reality (by stealing my mother's van).
Since I didn't get to sleep until 12:30 on Tuesday night (technically Wednesday morning), I didn't work until 7. I called them several times to see when they wanted me to work and they didn't return my calls until at least 8 that night. It's a four and a half hour drive from my house, if they had wanted me to work early, they should have let me know. Anyway.
I cleaned up yesterday morning from when Ann had milked and she kept giving me task after task of stuff to do. First, I had to go refill the footwash bottle that we've been spraying the sheep with that have footrot. We set up a foot bath, but for some unknown reason they won't FINISH setting it up (aka, put the bath IN it). So then she tells me that I need to bring more grain to the holding area. Ok, not a big deal, I can do that. However, after I had cleaned the parlor was when she told me that I had to go and clean out the hoppers for the grain in the parlor because the bad intern had put corn in them... But if they had originally told us from the start that corn doesn't go in there, or at least had told us that feed was even being delivered while they were gone, we wouldn't have had this problem.
And so, I spent about twenty minutes in the hopper, shoveling out feed, which shouldn't have been there in the first place... only to replace it with pellets. And then I had to go down to the parlor and put it through the hoppers to finish out the corn. It's not my fault that it happened, but I fixed it...
At this point it's about 90 degrees out with no breeze. The next chore you think would be a low-key one that doesn't involve much exertion, right? Because I'm already sweating my butt off? Wrong. Use the push lawn mower (which is NOT self-propelled, btw) and mow two areas in front of the house that are on a hill. Ok, But the sun is clearly going to be beating down on it. When it's 90 degrees. With no breeze.
So I complete that task and she's like 'well, this part over here needs to be mower too... sorry I didn't tell you'... And this area has a STEEPER slope. So for a 'break' I got to bag hay chafe on the barn floor because its supposed to be 'easy'... except that the barn floor is in direct sunlight at this time of day. So I spent another 15 minutes sweating off my ass only to go back and mow the part of the steep lawn in front of the house.
Get done with that, and it's 10:30, I figured she would give me the rest of the morning off right? Because, you know, I look like I have heat stroke and probably wasn't far from it. I only had one glass of water and no breakfast. Yeah... instead she tells me to take the sithe to the stinging nettles. So again, I do as I'm told. After I was done, I came in and had 5 glasses of water and went straight up to bed.
Afternoon... Do the chores (rams, pigs, set up)... and before I do set up (which takes place at 2:45), Ann tells me to go and use the sithe on the ragweed that is on the pasture side of the rock wall (NOT the road side that ppl see). She goes 'Well I spent an hour doing it in the blazing hot sun earlier'... I was half tempted to say 'no shit, you think pushing that lawnmower was any easier???', but I stopped myself.
Milked, cleaned up, and was then given cleaning the house as my last task... Or basically to sort out bottles and cans and recycling. Wouldn't have been bad but A) Bob told me to do it and B) there was probably a months worth in there because nobody else had gotten around to it. The reason I say that Bob told me to do it was one of my issues was because HIM of all people to tell US about cleanlines... well, that's like the pot calling the kettle black. Half the time he doesn't clean up after making scones (pans left in the kitchen, uncleaned until the next day)... And when they do get cleaned, it's usually us interns that have to clean up after them.
So this morning... milked. Cleaned up. Took out the sheep. Came and got changed to send out a cheese order. Which means I had to work with Ann. I am so sick and tired of her treating me like a two year old also. It seems like ever since I told them that I wanted to leave when my 600 hours is up (which is this weekend), they have been absolutely miserable to me (mainly Ann)... They're trying to get me to stay another week, but honestly, I don't want to just because of her. I can't stand working under her most of the time now. I mean, people should understand the difference between cool weather work and warm weather work. Mowing the lawn with a push lawn mower with a ridiculous incline is NOT warm weather work!!
Good lord... And to top it all off, I have an interview with the business I interviewed with last Tuesday on this Tuesday. When I go home for it, I will certainly have a hell of a hard time coming back here. Hopefully tonight I will sit down and tell them this.
Although, in addition to all of this that has just happened, I then sit back and think. If they had fired that intern like they should have, I wouldn't have had to shovel out the hoppers or probably clean the recycling. I understand that they kept him for a reason, but honestly... Somebody who wrecks your car, has no work ethic, gets out of work as much as possible, shows up to work late, messes up a batch of cheese, and also is a pathalogical liar would not be somebody I would defend.
Of course, there has been a severe lack of communication on their part. And lack of preparation. Like when they went away for the week and didn't order more flour or buy more cream and eggs so some of the baking was thrown off... And how they didn't tell us that an order of feed was coming. And while we were packing cheeses today Ann was criticizing me, and I can accept criticizm when I'm actually doing something wrong that I've learned before but I have only packed cheeses ONE other time, and she was treating me like a five year old and showing me how to do it (but it wasn't portrayed as a nice way when she was doing it)
And the whole week they were gone, the only thing we had to drive was the dodge truck. It's stick and I can't drive stick. At the beginning of this internship when I applied, they said we could drive farm vehicles, so this prepared me if my car ever did die. And when my car dies, they take one cross country and they let the other sit in an airport all week, and yes, both were automatics. They knew I wasn't going to have my car. And also when I was gone on vaca, they never told me they were leaving early or anything. And never told me they were changing the schedule. It's been so much all in the last two weeks that has been bothering me but I've been trying to be good and ignore it or brush it off. I can't anymoreeee.
I just want out. And if I didn't have 12 more hours of work till they gave me my evaluation for this semester, I would just leave. I feel like they are showing me no respect at all and I am not their slave. I am trying to hold my tongue until they evaluate me because I don't want a bad grade this semester for all the busting of my butt that I have done. I've worked my ass off for them this summer and this is how I get repaid... Awesome.
Since I didn't get to sleep until 12:30 on Tuesday night (technically Wednesday morning), I didn't work until 7. I called them several times to see when they wanted me to work and they didn't return my calls until at least 8 that night. It's a four and a half hour drive from my house, if they had wanted me to work early, they should have let me know. Anyway.
I cleaned up yesterday morning from when Ann had milked and she kept giving me task after task of stuff to do. First, I had to go refill the footwash bottle that we've been spraying the sheep with that have footrot. We set up a foot bath, but for some unknown reason they won't FINISH setting it up (aka, put the bath IN it). So then she tells me that I need to bring more grain to the holding area. Ok, not a big deal, I can do that. However, after I had cleaned the parlor was when she told me that I had to go and clean out the hoppers for the grain in the parlor because the bad intern had put corn in them... But if they had originally told us from the start that corn doesn't go in there, or at least had told us that feed was even being delivered while they were gone, we wouldn't have had this problem.
And so, I spent about twenty minutes in the hopper, shoveling out feed, which shouldn't have been there in the first place... only to replace it with pellets. And then I had to go down to the parlor and put it through the hoppers to finish out the corn. It's not my fault that it happened, but I fixed it...
At this point it's about 90 degrees out with no breeze. The next chore you think would be a low-key one that doesn't involve much exertion, right? Because I'm already sweating my butt off? Wrong. Use the push lawn mower (which is NOT self-propelled, btw) and mow two areas in front of the house that are on a hill. Ok, But the sun is clearly going to be beating down on it. When it's 90 degrees. With no breeze.
So I complete that task and she's like 'well, this part over here needs to be mower too... sorry I didn't tell you'... And this area has a STEEPER slope. So for a 'break' I got to bag hay chafe on the barn floor because its supposed to be 'easy'... except that the barn floor is in direct sunlight at this time of day. So I spent another 15 minutes sweating off my ass only to go back and mow the part of the steep lawn in front of the house.
Get done with that, and it's 10:30, I figured she would give me the rest of the morning off right? Because, you know, I look like I have heat stroke and probably wasn't far from it. I only had one glass of water and no breakfast. Yeah... instead she tells me to take the sithe to the stinging nettles. So again, I do as I'm told. After I was done, I came in and had 5 glasses of water and went straight up to bed.
Afternoon... Do the chores (rams, pigs, set up)... and before I do set up (which takes place at 2:45), Ann tells me to go and use the sithe on the ragweed that is on the pasture side of the rock wall (NOT the road side that ppl see). She goes 'Well I spent an hour doing it in the blazing hot sun earlier'... I was half tempted to say 'no shit, you think pushing that lawnmower was any easier???', but I stopped myself.
Milked, cleaned up, and was then given cleaning the house as my last task... Or basically to sort out bottles and cans and recycling. Wouldn't have been bad but A) Bob told me to do it and B) there was probably a months worth in there because nobody else had gotten around to it. The reason I say that Bob told me to do it was one of my issues was because HIM of all people to tell US about cleanlines... well, that's like the pot calling the kettle black. Half the time he doesn't clean up after making scones (pans left in the kitchen, uncleaned until the next day)... And when they do get cleaned, it's usually us interns that have to clean up after them.
So this morning... milked. Cleaned up. Took out the sheep. Came and got changed to send out a cheese order. Which means I had to work with Ann. I am so sick and tired of her treating me like a two year old also. It seems like ever since I told them that I wanted to leave when my 600 hours is up (which is this weekend), they have been absolutely miserable to me (mainly Ann)... They're trying to get me to stay another week, but honestly, I don't want to just because of her. I can't stand working under her most of the time now. I mean, people should understand the difference between cool weather work and warm weather work. Mowing the lawn with a push lawn mower with a ridiculous incline is NOT warm weather work!!
Good lord... And to top it all off, I have an interview with the business I interviewed with last Tuesday on this Tuesday. When I go home for it, I will certainly have a hell of a hard time coming back here. Hopefully tonight I will sit down and tell them this.
Although, in addition to all of this that has just happened, I then sit back and think. If they had fired that intern like they should have, I wouldn't have had to shovel out the hoppers or probably clean the recycling. I understand that they kept him for a reason, but honestly... Somebody who wrecks your car, has no work ethic, gets out of work as much as possible, shows up to work late, messes up a batch of cheese, and also is a pathalogical liar would not be somebody I would defend.
Of course, there has been a severe lack of communication on their part. And lack of preparation. Like when they went away for the week and didn't order more flour or buy more cream and eggs so some of the baking was thrown off... And how they didn't tell us that an order of feed was coming. And while we were packing cheeses today Ann was criticizing me, and I can accept criticizm when I'm actually doing something wrong that I've learned before but I have only packed cheeses ONE other time, and she was treating me like a five year old and showing me how to do it (but it wasn't portrayed as a nice way when she was doing it)
And the whole week they were gone, the only thing we had to drive was the dodge truck. It's stick and I can't drive stick. At the beginning of this internship when I applied, they said we could drive farm vehicles, so this prepared me if my car ever did die. And when my car dies, they take one cross country and they let the other sit in an airport all week, and yes, both were automatics. They knew I wasn't going to have my car. And also when I was gone on vaca, they never told me they were leaving early or anything. And never told me they were changing the schedule. It's been so much all in the last two weeks that has been bothering me but I've been trying to be good and ignore it or brush it off. I can't anymoreeee.
I just want out. And if I didn't have 12 more hours of work till they gave me my evaluation for this semester, I would just leave. I feel like they are showing me no respect at all and I am not their slave. I am trying to hold my tongue until they evaluate me because I don't want a bad grade this semester for all the busting of my butt that I have done. I've worked my ass off for them this summer and this is how I get repaid... Awesome.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Another week or so has flown by...
My vacation was last week, which was nice to get away from the farm for a few days.
However, my return was not so good. It's so frustrating that they make a schedule and tell you what you're supposed to be doing, and when you come back the boss' are gone and one of the other interns (my least favorite) is telling me what to do. I got back Friday night and they weren't supposed to leave until Saturday afternoon. I understand plans change, but I do carry a cell phone. It's just extremely frustrating. I have so many milking times its not even funny. I think there are only three times where I'm not milking the whole time they're gone. Ugh.
I can't wait to be done. Another thing that has bothered me is their lack of planning about this trip. It's like they ruminated over the schedule and changed it so many times, but they left things undone like the cleaning of their house (which Max had to do), and the ordering of flour so bread and scones can be made, and not getting more cream so we can do the baking. And the feed also came today which NONE of us knew about or where to put it.
Oh well... I've only got a few more weeks here, but after being here and doing everything for them while they're gone will make it much harder to go back to work for them when they come back. I don't like it when they supervise me and tell me what to do because I can think and figure stuff out myself. I guess I think a part of this internship is learning how NOT to manage people also.
Don't get me wrong, I still love them, but I'm just counting down the hours... Only 112.25 left to go which shouldn't take much time at all with the amount of time I've been working and the hours I will be working to come. It's so exciting! That's all for now!
However, my return was not so good. It's so frustrating that they make a schedule and tell you what you're supposed to be doing, and when you come back the boss' are gone and one of the other interns (my least favorite) is telling me what to do. I got back Friday night and they weren't supposed to leave until Saturday afternoon. I understand plans change, but I do carry a cell phone. It's just extremely frustrating. I have so many milking times its not even funny. I think there are only three times where I'm not milking the whole time they're gone. Ugh.
I can't wait to be done. Another thing that has bothered me is their lack of planning about this trip. It's like they ruminated over the schedule and changed it so many times, but they left things undone like the cleaning of their house (which Max had to do), and the ordering of flour so bread and scones can be made, and not getting more cream so we can do the baking. And the feed also came today which NONE of us knew about or where to put it.
Oh well... I've only got a few more weeks here, but after being here and doing everything for them while they're gone will make it much harder to go back to work for them when they come back. I don't like it when they supervise me and tell me what to do because I can think and figure stuff out myself. I guess I think a part of this internship is learning how NOT to manage people also.
Don't get me wrong, I still love them, but I'm just counting down the hours... Only 112.25 left to go which shouldn't take much time at all with the amount of time I've been working and the hours I will be working to come. It's so exciting! That's all for now!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Time seems to be getting away from me and I've become so much more tired. Lately I've been working on my days off so I can get more days off to actually do something with my free time. I call it paid vacation. ;)
Last Thursday Doc Shelley came to visit and looked around the farm. It was good to finally have her come and I think she liked it. I showed her everything except for the lambs, which we couldn't go see because we would have had to walk like a half of a mile up a mountain in a downpour.
I've also done cave work, which was interesting. I haven't made cheese a lot lately, though today I made romano.
One of the other interns is extremely difficult to motivate, though this is also the intern that totaled bob and anns car and has done some other areas of the work and didn't complete it up to par. A few weeks ago he broke some equipment on the milking machine and caused us to be late which made me furious. It wouldn't have been so bad except that was one of the days when Bob and Ann had to run somewhere to do something so him and I were the only ones working.
Bob said the next day when I told him that I should come up with a management plan for dealing with his behavior. However, I have seen him work and know what he cuts corners on and doesn't do right and I told Bob that there would be no managing that I would do because if I were given a way to deal with him, I would fire him. He clearly doesn't care about his work and he isn't required to do this for school; it's just a summer job. There's more to it also, but I'm done writing about it for now.
Next week we're supposed to be getting out load of hay, which will be a semi I believe. However, this is when I will be taking off my days for my extended vaca to Mark's dad's dairy farm which will be exciting. And the week after that Bob and Ann will be leaving for a whole week to go to Wisconsin to visit a cow dairy that he has part ownership in, so we will be responsible for everything for a whole week. I'm excited about it because we will finally be able to do our own schedules and such.
It's been incredibly rainy here though I suppose it has been in most of the Northeast. Kinda sucks when the sheep are wet and they rub up against you... They also look so ridiculously pathetic that they're cute. I often wonder if they get uncomfortable when it rains at night and into the early morning and the sun comes out at 8. Lol You know, wool and a dryer kind of. They are cute though.
I think that's all to post on for now. I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since the last time. I'll try to do a better job on keeping up with it.
Last Thursday Doc Shelley came to visit and looked around the farm. It was good to finally have her come and I think she liked it. I showed her everything except for the lambs, which we couldn't go see because we would have had to walk like a half of a mile up a mountain in a downpour.
I've also done cave work, which was interesting. I haven't made cheese a lot lately, though today I made romano.
One of the other interns is extremely difficult to motivate, though this is also the intern that totaled bob and anns car and has done some other areas of the work and didn't complete it up to par. A few weeks ago he broke some equipment on the milking machine and caused us to be late which made me furious. It wouldn't have been so bad except that was one of the days when Bob and Ann had to run somewhere to do something so him and I were the only ones working.
Bob said the next day when I told him that I should come up with a management plan for dealing with his behavior. However, I have seen him work and know what he cuts corners on and doesn't do right and I told Bob that there would be no managing that I would do because if I were given a way to deal with him, I would fire him. He clearly doesn't care about his work and he isn't required to do this for school; it's just a summer job. There's more to it also, but I'm done writing about it for now.
Next week we're supposed to be getting out load of hay, which will be a semi I believe. However, this is when I will be taking off my days for my extended vaca to Mark's dad's dairy farm which will be exciting. And the week after that Bob and Ann will be leaving for a whole week to go to Wisconsin to visit a cow dairy that he has part ownership in, so we will be responsible for everything for a whole week. I'm excited about it because we will finally be able to do our own schedules and such.
It's been incredibly rainy here though I suppose it has been in most of the Northeast. Kinda sucks when the sheep are wet and they rub up against you... They also look so ridiculously pathetic that they're cute. I often wonder if they get uncomfortable when it rains at night and into the early morning and the sun comes out at 8. Lol You know, wool and a dryer kind of. They are cute though.
I think that's all to post on for now. I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since the last time. I'll try to do a better job on keeping up with it.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Another week flying by...
Wow, this is just not a top priority for me apparently.
In the last week we've done the usual milking and all that. The ewe that is pregnant still has not had her lambs yet, but she has managed to get a sore foot so we've wrapped it. The llama's halter started to rub on his nose and it was a little tight to begin with so that didn't help. We brought him down off the mountain and treated him for that. We had to go get sawdust. I've milked countless mornings at 5 which kind of sucks. Lol
I don't think I've made cheese since the cow's cheese last week. We've also been working on staining some decks as well. Bob has put me in charge of finding hay, which I am rather reluctant to do. I almost feel as though it's such a hassle and he doesn't want to do it so instead he'll give it to the intern to do.
My car has now died and the mechanic doesn't know what is wrong with it, so my full day off I worked so I can save it up for another week (hopefully this coming week!)... Other than that, everything is going good.
In the last week we've done the usual milking and all that. The ewe that is pregnant still has not had her lambs yet, but she has managed to get a sore foot so we've wrapped it. The llama's halter started to rub on his nose and it was a little tight to begin with so that didn't help. We brought him down off the mountain and treated him for that. We had to go get sawdust. I've milked countless mornings at 5 which kind of sucks. Lol
I don't think I've made cheese since the cow's cheese last week. We've also been working on staining some decks as well. Bob has put me in charge of finding hay, which I am rather reluctant to do. I almost feel as though it's such a hassle and he doesn't want to do it so instead he'll give it to the intern to do.
My car has now died and the mechanic doesn't know what is wrong with it, so my full day off I worked so I can save it up for another week (hopefully this coming week!)... Other than that, everything is going good.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Last few dayyys
So I have been completely exhausted the last week or so... Fourth of July was fun. Mark was here. Bob and Ann love having him around because when he comes to visit me, he always works with me so we get more accomplished! =)
So the farm house dinner was interesting as I have previously stated. There were around 20 people who came and we made about $50 a person I guess which is good. It was kind of weird explaining why I am here to people. The other interns are here because they thought it would be a fun summer job, I am here to complete my degree. It seemed interesting to me to explain it to some of the people that showed up (rich people from like, CT and stuff)... Telling them I grew up on a farm and that my major at college is animal science, but no I'm not going to be a veterinarian. It always seems hard for people to grasp that. But all in all, the night was very exhausting and I got done at 9:30... and I had to milk at 5 the next morning.
I had some family issues so I had to go home over my day and a half off to be with my parents... Wednesday I worked at 7. Did chores and stuff, weeded garlic, planted grass seed. Wednesday night I milked I believe... The last few days have been a blur, I really need to keep up with this blogging thing or else I lose track. Today we made cow's milk cheese. Ann is making sure to teach me how to make it in case I decide to go make cheese for Mark's dad when I get done with college. I don't know if I really want to do it, but I guess I can keep my options open. But anyway, making cheese can be complicated and there is DEFINITELY a lot of dishes that need to be done as well as cleaning which can get very redundant.
Anyway, I need to get to bed. Work at 7 tomorrow... We have to catch the llama to treat it's halter sore and for some reason Bob chose me for the job because I have experience with animals... but llamas are completely different from anything I've handled before... Oh well... Good night!
So the farm house dinner was interesting as I have previously stated. There were around 20 people who came and we made about $50 a person I guess which is good. It was kind of weird explaining why I am here to people. The other interns are here because they thought it would be a fun summer job, I am here to complete my degree. It seemed interesting to me to explain it to some of the people that showed up (rich people from like, CT and stuff)... Telling them I grew up on a farm and that my major at college is animal science, but no I'm not going to be a veterinarian. It always seems hard for people to grasp that. But all in all, the night was very exhausting and I got done at 9:30... and I had to milk at 5 the next morning.
I had some family issues so I had to go home over my day and a half off to be with my parents... Wednesday I worked at 7. Did chores and stuff, weeded garlic, planted grass seed. Wednesday night I milked I believe... The last few days have been a blur, I really need to keep up with this blogging thing or else I lose track. Today we made cow's milk cheese. Ann is making sure to teach me how to make it in case I decide to go make cheese for Mark's dad when I get done with college. I don't know if I really want to do it, but I guess I can keep my options open. But anyway, making cheese can be complicated and there is DEFINITELY a lot of dishes that need to be done as well as cleaning which can get very redundant.
Anyway, I need to get to bed. Work at 7 tomorrow... We have to catch the llama to treat it's halter sore and for some reason Bob chose me for the job because I have experience with animals... but llamas are completely different from anything I've handled before... Oh well... Good night!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Long time, No write!
I've been working and have been so busy the last week I haven't had time to write. I've been getting in my full 8 hours every day with the exception of Monday (my half day) and Tuesday which was my full day.
The farm house dinner was very successful but also stressful. It was an interesting experience and hopefully the second one will go smoother.
Seeing as I'm still exhausted right now, I should go sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up on my journals from now on... Ugh. Have a good night!
The farm house dinner was very successful but also stressful. It was an interesting experience and hopefully the second one will go smoother.
Seeing as I'm still exhausted right now, I should go sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up on my journals from now on... Ugh. Have a good night!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday and Monday
Sunday went smoothly considering Ann and Bob were gone. In the morning I set up fences in a new pasture for the ewes and Bob took me up to where the lambs are and told me how things should be done up there because I had no idea... After I hurt my foot I didn't do too much that day or the following one.
In the afternoon we went and weeded garlic and cut scapes. When milking time came around I went down and got the sheep (which was bad for my ankle... but I'm alright now) and then I did the chores. I also had to take the cheese out of the brine which I had never done before but is very simple.
After I had set up the pastures for the sheep, I went back by myself and weeded more garlic. I have learned that you really should keep up on the weeding of gardens and don't let the weeds run rampant. Lol Came back and finished up chores and came in for the night.
Bob got back so late on Sunday night that he told me he wouldn't be out Monday morning to do set up... So I had to wake up at 4:15 and be in the barn by 4:45 to do set up and get the sheep on my own with nobody else around. I didn't see anybody else until 6:45 which was when I was finishing up. After I got done cleaning up after milking, Bob had me go in the house and start preparing for the farmhouse dinner which is on Sunday. Worked until 8:45 and then got to leave.
Yesterday was my half day off and today is my full day off. Mark comes on Thursday evening for the weekend which often makes my work much more enjoyable because he helps with things too. Bob and Ann love having him around which is good because they don't mind that he stays here sometimes.
Anyway, I think I make cheese tomorrow again. Woo hoo? =)
204 hours down... 396 more hours to go...
In the afternoon we went and weeded garlic and cut scapes. When milking time came around I went down and got the sheep (which was bad for my ankle... but I'm alright now) and then I did the chores. I also had to take the cheese out of the brine which I had never done before but is very simple.
After I had set up the pastures for the sheep, I went back by myself and weeded more garlic. I have learned that you really should keep up on the weeding of gardens and don't let the weeds run rampant. Lol Came back and finished up chores and came in for the night.
Bob got back so late on Sunday night that he told me he wouldn't be out Monday morning to do set up... So I had to wake up at 4:15 and be in the barn by 4:45 to do set up and get the sheep on my own with nobody else around. I didn't see anybody else until 6:45 which was when I was finishing up. After I got done cleaning up after milking, Bob had me go in the house and start preparing for the farmhouse dinner which is on Sunday. Worked until 8:45 and then got to leave.
Yesterday was my half day off and today is my full day off. Mark comes on Thursday evening for the weekend which often makes my work much more enjoyable because he helps with things too. Bob and Ann love having him around which is good because they don't mind that he stays here sometimes.
Anyway, I think I make cheese tomorrow again. Woo hoo? =)
204 hours down... 396 more hours to go...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, Friday, Saturday...
Sorry, I've been really busy lately. Thursday wasn't anything special. Mowed the lawn in preparation for visitors and also the farm house dinner. We've been doing trimming of the fields as well. I milked Thursday night.
Friday we moved lambs early... And that's when I got hurt. It's only a sprain, but I've stretched my achilles tendon... Went to the hospital, had xray... And I did clean up that night. I've got an air cast, but I'll be alright... :X
Today wasn't bad. Took down fences... Weighed cheeses and put them in the brine... Did some other things for Ann and then she made me go put my foot up.
This afternoon I washed some of the windows in the cheese room and then milked and cleaned up. The lamb I got hurt chasing after is in a pen with the pregnant ewe and apparently we have two more captives we have to take care of as well. Oh well...
Tomorrow Ann and Bob are gone most of the day so the interns will be running the farm. It'll be interesting!
Friday we moved lambs early... And that's when I got hurt. It's only a sprain, but I've stretched my achilles tendon... Went to the hospital, had xray... And I did clean up that night. I've got an air cast, but I'll be alright... :X
Today wasn't bad. Took down fences... Weighed cheeses and put them in the brine... Did some other things for Ann and then she made me go put my foot up.
This afternoon I washed some of the windows in the cheese room and then milked and cleaned up. The lamb I got hurt chasing after is in a pen with the pregnant ewe and apparently we have two more captives we have to take care of as well. Oh well...
Tomorrow Ann and Bob are gone most of the day so the interns will be running the farm. It'll be interesting!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesdayyy the 24th of June!!!
Lots of milking took place today... Woke up for 5 AM milking... After I completed that task and clean up, I had to prepare the recipe for Bob for the savory (cheese) scone recipe. The power went out some time during the morning also, I'm very glad that we had a generator because I would NOT have wanted to milk the last seven sheep by hand...
This afternoon I helped Bob make some new concoction that I believe they are going to use for the farm house dinner which will take place July 5th. I'll have a whole entry dedicated to it, so you all can wait until I do it (probably the night that it occurs)... At 2:45 i did equipment set up and milked. I did clean up... Took the sheep out, which was good since I hadn't been out to their pasture since the beginning of last week, and since they're rotated twice every day, I had absolutely NO clue where they were being pastured.
This work is kind of redundant but at least I enjoy most of it (though we all have crappy parts to work...)... I especially love working with the animals, but I guess that's a good thing since I'm an Animal Science major, right? ;)
The hour count so far is 168.75... Only 431.25 more hours to go! Woo hoo!! As sad as it sounds, I can't wait to be back in NY... I have no idea what I'll do when I go to Virgina Tech. =D
This afternoon I helped Bob make some new concoction that I believe they are going to use for the farm house dinner which will take place July 5th. I'll have a whole entry dedicated to it, so you all can wait until I do it (probably the night that it occurs)... At 2:45 i did equipment set up and milked. I did clean up... Took the sheep out, which was good since I hadn't been out to their pasture since the beginning of last week, and since they're rotated twice every day, I had absolutely NO clue where they were being pastured.
This work is kind of redundant but at least I enjoy most of it (though we all have crappy parts to work...)... I especially love working with the animals, but I guess that's a good thing since I'm an Animal Science major, right? ;)
The hour count so far is 168.75... Only 431.25 more hours to go! Woo hoo!! As sad as it sounds, I can't wait to be back in NY... I have no idea what I'll do when I go to Virgina Tech. =D
Monday, June 22, 2009
End of last week and today
Thursday was rainy all day so I painted the milk room. The inspector came on Monday during the day (so I was the last one to have cleaned up) and apparently I did an excellent job because he had no critiquing on the equipment to be used, so that made me extremely happy! Thursday afternoon I milked and Friday morning I milked also, cleaned, did some random work for Ann and then went home for the weekend!!
I milked this morning and then had the rest of the day off. Since we had a blind lamb and Cara said she would take it, I drove it down to CT to drop it off for her. It's amazing what can happen when somebody puts forth effort... I took him down there and less than 12 hours later, somebody had seen him and wanted to adopt him. So now he is being all doctored up and is going to a new home where he can be a pet. He certainly is a fighter with a strong will to live... I'll miss having him around though.
Other than that, things are well. I'm going on a sheep delivery tomorrow with their daughter Sarah so that should be fun!
I milked this morning and then had the rest of the day off. Since we had a blind lamb and Cara said she would take it, I drove it down to CT to drop it off for her. It's amazing what can happen when somebody puts forth effort... I took him down there and less than 12 hours later, somebody had seen him and wanted to adopt him. So now he is being all doctored up and is going to a new home where he can be a pet. He certainly is a fighter with a strong will to live... I'll miss having him around though.
Other than that, things are well. I'm going on a sheep delivery tomorrow with their daughter Sarah so that should be fun!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday...
Tuesday morning I helped clean up with the person that milked, I had a break from 9-10:30, which was when we were to go to the auction. It wasn't the first auction I had been to, but any of the other auctions I had gone to were strictly cattle auctions. This auction, however, had all types of livestock and also hay and corn. It was very interesting and I also learned to come prepared if you plan on buying hay and only have a pick up truck... Ugh. Oh well, we managed.
Today I milked and then did a lot of clean up stuff including fully cleaning out the holding pen. I also brush hogged some more and weeded garlic. I learned a lot of things about growing garlic in the process which I find fairly interesting. After we finished with the garlic for the day, I came back and cleaned the milking parlor.
I feel that we do a fair amount of 'grunt work' here, but we also are given excellent opportunities to go along with it, and it's not like the interns are the only ones doing it. The owners do it too. I really do enjoy the education and experience I am getting here.
Today I milked and then did a lot of clean up stuff including fully cleaning out the holding pen. I also brush hogged some more and weeded garlic. I learned a lot of things about growing garlic in the process which I find fairly interesting. After we finished with the garlic for the day, I came back and cleaned the milking parlor.
I feel that we do a fair amount of 'grunt work' here, but we also are given excellent opportunities to go along with it, and it's not like the interns are the only ones doing it. The owners do it too. I really do enjoy the education and experience I am getting here.
Monday, June 15, 2009
These Entries Are Getting Fewer and Far Between
These posts are getting fewer and far between. Probably because I'm extremely busy and exhausted after working.
Thursday after my last post we cut cheese, and then worked on putting it into the molds. We had to keep rotating them, trimming them, and eventually they went into the cage. It was a pretty cool experience and I can't wait to do it again.
Friday I milked and had misc work to do. I helped Bob in the kitchen for a little while preparing for farmer's market in Brattleboro. Friday evening I milked, cleaned up, and fed the rams.
There is a ewe that didn't have lambs in the spring and we think she is bred so on Saturday morning I separated her into her own pen. And it's one more chore that we have to do. Saturday morning I milked and proceeded to clean up and do the pens outside. Saturday evening we were working on cleaning up the farm because visitors were coming from Boston, I guess it's one of their biggest customers.
Sunday morning Mark (he was up for the weekend to visit and went and worked with me saturday and sunday morning) and I made a new fence for the pigs and we moved them. This took a long time because the pigs are pastured in the hedgerow to clean it out so the sheep will have more pasture, so a lot of trimming was done in the hedgrow to get the fence to stay hot.
Sunday evening I had to take care of the pigs, rams, and ewes. I also had to get stuff ready for the next morning and put up fences for the milking ewes so they would have a place to go after milking.
This morning I worked at 5 because I was milking this morning. By the time I got done and took out the sheep, I had an hour left so I went into Bob's kitchen to help organize and clean it because it was an absolute mess. Today is my half day off and since I have this weekend off, I'm working tomorrow (my full day off).
Thursday after my last post we cut cheese, and then worked on putting it into the molds. We had to keep rotating them, trimming them, and eventually they went into the cage. It was a pretty cool experience and I can't wait to do it again.
Friday I milked and had misc work to do. I helped Bob in the kitchen for a little while preparing for farmer's market in Brattleboro. Friday evening I milked, cleaned up, and fed the rams.
There is a ewe that didn't have lambs in the spring and we think she is bred so on Saturday morning I separated her into her own pen. And it's one more chore that we have to do. Saturday morning I milked and proceeded to clean up and do the pens outside. Saturday evening we were working on cleaning up the farm because visitors were coming from Boston, I guess it's one of their biggest customers.
Sunday morning Mark (he was up for the weekend to visit and went and worked with me saturday and sunday morning) and I made a new fence for the pigs and we moved them. This took a long time because the pigs are pastured in the hedgerow to clean it out so the sheep will have more pasture, so a lot of trimming was done in the hedgrow to get the fence to stay hot.
Sunday evening I had to take care of the pigs, rams, and ewes. I also had to get stuff ready for the next morning and put up fences for the milking ewes so they would have a place to go after milking.
This morning I worked at 5 because I was milking this morning. By the time I got done and took out the sheep, I had an hour left so I went into Bob's kitchen to help organize and clean it because it was an absolute mess. Today is my half day off and since I have this weekend off, I'm working tomorrow (my full day off).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday Morning, Wednesday, and Thursday Morning
Monday morning I milked which was all that I did and then my day and a half off started.
Yesterday I had to work at 7. I helped clean up from milking and then clean the sheeps waiting area and such. Nahum and I then went to pick up sawdust from a sawmill. This time Bob didn't go with us so I was held responsible for communicating to the owner to explain who we were and to give him the cheese Bob told us to give him. When we got back we had to unload it into the sawdust area in the barn.
Last night I milked. It took a little while longer because the set up of the milking machine wasn't quite right... which really made me learn to always double check things before you start milking because accidents happen. After I had completed that, I did the dishes and the cleaning up of the yard. I also took care of the rams.
Lately we have had problems with mastitis, so we've been testing for that. Tuesday Bob sent 7 ewes to market and we still had a problem yesterday. Anne found it this morning so now hopefully it will all be gone.
This morning I started by cleaning up things for the person who was milking and then went to change my clothes because I was to learn how to make cheese this morning. Its very interesting and as I'm writing this, we're waiting for the rennet and culture to work. We just finished adding the rennet and we have to wait 35 minutes.
Yesterday I had to work at 7. I helped clean up from milking and then clean the sheeps waiting area and such. Nahum and I then went to pick up sawdust from a sawmill. This time Bob didn't go with us so I was held responsible for communicating to the owner to explain who we were and to give him the cheese Bob told us to give him. When we got back we had to unload it into the sawdust area in the barn.
Last night I milked. It took a little while longer because the set up of the milking machine wasn't quite right... which really made me learn to always double check things before you start milking because accidents happen. After I had completed that, I did the dishes and the cleaning up of the yard. I also took care of the rams.
Lately we have had problems with mastitis, so we've been testing for that. Tuesday Bob sent 7 ewes to market and we still had a problem yesterday. Anne found it this morning so now hopefully it will all be gone.
This morning I started by cleaning up things for the person who was milking and then went to change my clothes because I was to learn how to make cheese this morning. Its very interesting and as I'm writing this, we're waiting for the rennet and culture to work. We just finished adding the rennet and we have to wait 35 minutes.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Fridayyyy, Saturdayyyy, Sundayyyy!!
Milked at 5 which was basically all I did in the morning... plus cleaning up.
Afternoon I helped Bob a lot with making different food items and doing miscellaneous chores around the farm. I also got to do some fences... woo hoo... That night we got to go to Brattleboro to sell some cheese... plus one of the other interns was participating in a grilled cheese competition. It was a very interesting experience.
Saturday I milked at 5 again. We were supposed to only work 3 hours but I worked late. We were supposed to get some time to go to the strolling of the heifers parade, which we did but we were about half an hour late. Yet again, it was a wonderful experience.
Saturday was our first "test" on the farm. Bob had gone to the farmer's market in B-boro and Ann had gone to Maryland that morning and wouldn't be back until Sunday evening. When we started again at 2, we had a lot of work to do which the other interns seemed slow to start so I had to boot em in the butt kind of... I set up the milking parlor and equipment and went out to get the sheep with one of the other interns. I didn't have to milk, but I did have to set up fences...
I also had to help do mastitis testing because nobody else knows how to strip out a sheep. We've had some traces of mastitis so I had to test the whole herd. I did it both Saturday night and Sunday morning at 5. After stripping for mastitis Sunday morning I got a bit of a break because I had worked much more than the other interns. Tonight I just had some random work to do around the farm, much of which is normally expected anyway.
Tomorrow I get up at 5 and done at 9. And then the rest of the day off as well as Tuesday!!
Afternoon I helped Bob a lot with making different food items and doing miscellaneous chores around the farm. I also got to do some fences... woo hoo... That night we got to go to Brattleboro to sell some cheese... plus one of the other interns was participating in a grilled cheese competition. It was a very interesting experience.
Saturday I milked at 5 again. We were supposed to only work 3 hours but I worked late. We were supposed to get some time to go to the strolling of the heifers parade, which we did but we were about half an hour late. Yet again, it was a wonderful experience.
Saturday was our first "test" on the farm. Bob had gone to the farmer's market in B-boro and Ann had gone to Maryland that morning and wouldn't be back until Sunday evening. When we started again at 2, we had a lot of work to do which the other interns seemed slow to start so I had to boot em in the butt kind of... I set up the milking parlor and equipment and went out to get the sheep with one of the other interns. I didn't have to milk, but I did have to set up fences...
I also had to help do mastitis testing because nobody else knows how to strip out a sheep. We've had some traces of mastitis so I had to test the whole herd. I did it both Saturday night and Sunday morning at 5. After stripping for mastitis Sunday morning I got a bit of a break because I had worked much more than the other interns. Tonight I just had some random work to do around the farm, much of which is normally expected anyway.
Tomorrow I get up at 5 and done at 9. And then the rest of the day off as well as Tuesday!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Eighth Day of Work...
Started work at 7. I started by weighing the cheese and figuring out how long each different weight had to stay in the brine. Too much brine=salty cheese=no good. I also moved the animals from one pasture to another which was successful. Some of the other animals got out (3 rams from one pen on the home farm)... and the group of lambs about a mile down the road. I got the 3 rams in by myself and I helped Bob with the lambs, donkeys, and llama. Next I had to clean the holding area and I also cleaned the where we place the ewes after milking. I ended my morning by picking up fences from a previously used pasture and placing them where the next pasture would be. I ended at 11.
I started work up again at 2:30 because I was milking. I helped Max put together the milking equipment (which we successfully did without the assistance of Ann or Bob) and then brought the sheep up to the waiting area. I also was the milker for the evening with some assistance from Max. The young ewes are still really difficult to deal with because they jump and kick so much. Hopefully by next week they will cull the ewes that are too terrible (I think there is 2)... I also cleaned the waiting area and the back yard where the sheep are put after milking again... Bob and I took the sheep out to pasture that Max had prepared earlier that day and we also fed the pigs. I ended by mixing up a bleach cleaning solution that is used for cleaning the ramp into the parlor. I ended at 6:30.
5 o' clock milking tomorrow morning. Woo hoO! Strolling of The Heifers tomorrow though in Brattleboro which I believe we all are supposed to go to. It should be an excellent experience!!
I started work up again at 2:30 because I was milking. I helped Max put together the milking equipment (which we successfully did without the assistance of Ann or Bob) and then brought the sheep up to the waiting area. I also was the milker for the evening with some assistance from Max. The young ewes are still really difficult to deal with because they jump and kick so much. Hopefully by next week they will cull the ewes that are too terrible (I think there is 2)... I also cleaned the waiting area and the back yard where the sheep are put after milking again... Bob and I took the sheep out to pasture that Max had prepared earlier that day and we also fed the pigs. I ended by mixing up a bleach cleaning solution that is used for cleaning the ramp into the parlor. I ended at 6:30.
5 o' clock milking tomorrow morning. Woo hoO! Strolling of The Heifers tomorrow though in Brattleboro which I believe we all are supposed to go to. It should be an excellent experience!!
Forgot To Update Last Night!!!
I have Monday afternoon and Tuesday off so I guess I got out of the swing of things as far as updating goes, but it's ok. Yesterday morning I milked by myself, so it took a very long time. By the time I got all the sheep milked and everything washed, it had been four hours. There is a lot entailed in milking to remember and since it was only my second time, I won't completely remember it all. I think I have come to the conclusion though that I would rather be milking cows...
Yesterday afternoon I did a range of things. I helped Bob make scones (the savory ones)... They had sheep cheese and garlic for flavoring. They were really good though! I also had to go and help Ann milk for a little while. Yesterday I also learned how to move the sheep out to pasture and back in for milking in the evening. It wasn't very hard but it is a little nerve-wracking... I mean, what if they don't follow? But I suppose that's what their Border Collie Juba is for... Oh well. That was about all for yesterday. Last night after we got off of work I went and observed Bob making sweet scones. I also helped some which I feel was good experience for me. It also allowed me to ask questions about their operation as well.
Yesterday afternoon I did a range of things. I helped Bob make scones (the savory ones)... They had sheep cheese and garlic for flavoring. They were really good though! I also had to go and help Ann milk for a little while. Yesterday I also learned how to move the sheep out to pasture and back in for milking in the evening. It wasn't very hard but it is a little nerve-wracking... I mean, what if they don't follow? But I suppose that's what their Border Collie Juba is for... Oh well. That was about all for yesterday. Last night after we got off of work I went and observed Bob making sweet scones. I also helped some which I feel was good experience for me. It also allowed me to ask questions about their operation as well.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sixth Day... Half Day... Finally...
Finally a little time off was given to me in the afternoon... This morning I was up at 7 and helped to finish the milking and then helped move sheep out to pasture. I learned how to clean the parlor after milking and also the set up for the next day. I also started to learn a lot of good mastitis prevention. For the second half of the morning I learned how to brush hog a few of the fields. It was a fairly easy task, but some how I managed to get mildly injured... Oh well.
Today was my half day off and tomorrow is my full day!! yay!!! Sleeping in finally!!
Today was my half day off and tomorrow is my full day!! yay!!! Sleeping in finally!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Fifth Day Already??
Work at 7. We got things set up for the big move/transition. We moved the lambs and ewes into the last pasture closest the barn and we went to set up gates while they settled down. Overall, all of the processing that was done to the lambs (treated for hoof rot, given CDT vaccines, worming, and tagging) I had done before, though this was a good refresher for me. The only thing that I hadn't had to do before was put the lambs in the foot bath, which was definitely not an enjoyable task to say the least.
Bob and I went and set up the fences for the lambs while the rest of the interns got a chance with hands-on experience with the animals and I got more experience with the fence. This may sound funny, but I definitely needed it.
Got done at 10:30 and went back at 2. We moved the last load of lambs and then went down to the milk room to prepare for the first milking. Ann taught us all about putting the milking equipment together which I really had no idea about having never milked cows or anything else before. They don't have a pipeline and obviously not an automatic wash either. We had to sanitize everything before we used it. Ann and I were the only ones milking and I found it a very educational experience. I learned a lot about milking equipment and sanitation procedures. Milking took quite a while but some of it could have been contributed to the young ewes that had no idea what they were doing and Ann trying to teach me all about this stuff. I feel fairly confident in this area and I can't wait to attempt to put the equipment together again because I really want to grasp it.
After we completed milking we washed everything as well as sanitized everything. The procedures that the milk inspector requires are quite tedious, but I understand why you need them... I just had no idea they were so detailed and meticulous. I got done with work at 6:15. Tomorrow is work at 7.
Bob and I went and set up the fences for the lambs while the rest of the interns got a chance with hands-on experience with the animals and I got more experience with the fence. This may sound funny, but I definitely needed it.
Got done at 10:30 and went back at 2. We moved the last load of lambs and then went down to the milk room to prepare for the first milking. Ann taught us all about putting the milking equipment together which I really had no idea about having never milked cows or anything else before. They don't have a pipeline and obviously not an automatic wash either. We had to sanitize everything before we used it. Ann and I were the only ones milking and I found it a very educational experience. I learned a lot about milking equipment and sanitation procedures. Milking took quite a while but some of it could have been contributed to the young ewes that had no idea what they were doing and Ann trying to teach me all about this stuff. I feel fairly confident in this area and I can't wait to attempt to put the equipment together again because I really want to grasp it.
After we completed milking we washed everything as well as sanitized everything. The procedures that the milk inspector requires are quite tedious, but I understand why you need them... I just had no idea they were so detailed and meticulous. I got done with work at 6:15. Tomorrow is work at 7.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Fourth Day
Started at 7, although at first I woke up at 5:15 and thought I was late. Then I thought about it and realized I didn't have to work until 7.
We started out with moving six of the later lambing ewes and their lambs to pasture and used the back of Bob's truck to haul them. Bob taught all of us the handling techniques of sheep and lambs, most of which I already knew but it was a good refresher. After we did that, I got to clean out the bedded pack that they used for the milkers last year, which only took about half an hour. After that I did some more cleaning around the farm and moved some wood out of the way of one of the drive ways. We then were told to hook up the brush hog to the back of the kubota, which Max and I had no problems with and Bob was very surprised with.
After break we did some painting of the wood house since everything is pretty much done for bringing in the sheep and getting the parlor ready. I worked a total of eight hours today. Muscles are sore that I didn't even know existed.
Tonight was good for me. I'm in a much better mood now. I guess I just needed a reminder... but god only knows why. Oh well. Tomorrow is 7 and also weaning/starting of milking as long as it doesn't rain!!
We started out with moving six of the later lambing ewes and their lambs to pasture and used the back of Bob's truck to haul them. Bob taught all of us the handling techniques of sheep and lambs, most of which I already knew but it was a good refresher. After we did that, I got to clean out the bedded pack that they used for the milkers last year, which only took about half an hour. After that I did some more cleaning around the farm and moved some wood out of the way of one of the drive ways. We then were told to hook up the brush hog to the back of the kubota, which Max and I had no problems with and Bob was very surprised with.
After break we did some painting of the wood house since everything is pretty much done for bringing in the sheep and getting the parlor ready. I worked a total of eight hours today. Muscles are sore that I didn't even know existed.
Tonight was good for me. I'm in a much better mood now. I guess I just needed a reminder... but god only knows why. Oh well. Tomorrow is 7 and also weaning/starting of milking as long as it doesn't rain!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Third Day
Today I got up at 5. I did the chores by myself which involved feeding both pens of sheep, pigs, donkeys, and doing general health checks. We then proceeded to tear down the lambing jugs and put up pens so we can wean on Sunday.
After setting up some things, I went into the cheese house and did some more cleaning in the aging room.
In the afternoon was the first time it hadn't been raining since I got here. It got quite warm actually and was very enjoyable. After break we did some more setting up for weaning/milking and Bob and I went to pick up some shavings for the milking ewes while they're in the holding area before milking.
After we completed that task, we set up the back of the pick up truck for moving the lambs on Sunday and proceeded to due evening chores most of which were by myself again. I learned how to make the milk for the bottle babies as well.
I like this job and I love the people I'm working for but I don't think being out in the middle of nowhere in Vermont is my thing... 14 1/2 more weeks until I'm home...
After setting up some things, I went into the cheese house and did some more cleaning in the aging room.
In the afternoon was the first time it hadn't been raining since I got here. It got quite warm actually and was very enjoyable. After break we did some more setting up for weaning/milking and Bob and I went to pick up some shavings for the milking ewes while they're in the holding area before milking.
After we completed that task, we set up the back of the pick up truck for moving the lambs on Sunday and proceeded to due evening chores most of which were by myself again. I learned how to make the milk for the bottle babies as well.
I like this job and I love the people I'm working for but I don't think being out in the middle of nowhere in Vermont is my thing... 14 1/2 more weeks until I'm home...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Second Half of Second Day
So far many of my jobs have all run in together in my memory. I know we did a lot of work today, but trying to pin it all down is tough, and that is what I shall try to do.
We started off after break with the cheeses from the cheese cave in our house and wrapping them for some customers. We wrapped 12 wheels altogether I believe, and learned protocol for that also involved including the batch number on the wrapping. They do this in case there is a recall, and on the bottom of each wheel is a number which all of the cheeses in that batch have.
We then went to do some more cleaning and work in the cheese house. We cleaned out the brine and also sanitized some things in preparation for cheese making. After these tasks were completed, Bob and I went out to do chores which included feeding the bottle babies and sheep, feeding the pigs, moving the donkeys into another pasture, and then feeding and moving the milking ewes. We continued to learn about the fencing and how to work with it.
So far, I have really enjoyed working for Ann and Bob. This is definitely an excellent experience thus far.
Tomorrow starts at 5. Woo!!
We started off after break with the cheeses from the cheese cave in our house and wrapping them for some customers. We wrapped 12 wheels altogether I believe, and learned protocol for that also involved including the batch number on the wrapping. They do this in case there is a recall, and on the bottom of each wheel is a number which all of the cheeses in that batch have.
We then went to do some more cleaning and work in the cheese house. We cleaned out the brine and also sanitized some things in preparation for cheese making. After these tasks were completed, Bob and I went out to do chores which included feeding the bottle babies and sheep, feeding the pigs, moving the donkeys into another pasture, and then feeding and moving the milking ewes. We continued to learn about the fencing and how to work with it.
So far, I have really enjoyed working for Ann and Bob. This is definitely an excellent experience thus far.
Tomorrow starts at 5. Woo!!
Second day of work... Well, half of it. =P
Started my second day of work at 7 this morning. Let me tell you, waking up at 4:30 has already gotten to me because today was my day to sleep in, and I was awake at 4:30 and it took me a looooong time to get back to sleep. And then my alarm went off at 6:15; it was quite unpleasant.
We started by having a meeting and selecting days off. I will have Monday afternoons and all day Tuesdays off. I have one weekend off scheduled thus far, but I'm not saying when. =P
We worked on some more spring cleaning and organizing later. There isn't too much to do yet because we haven't weaned the lambs. Later today I suspect we'll do chores and build more fences for the sheep. I also learned to drive the 'bota (kubota) today. It's what they mainly use for moving things around the farm... well, that and the John Deere Gator.
As I look out my window, it is raining yet again... apparently this is a common occurrence in Vermont... but it's also really chilly. Hopefully it'll warm up soon because working in cold rain really sucks.
We started by having a meeting and selecting days off. I will have Monday afternoons and all day Tuesdays off. I have one weekend off scheduled thus far, but I'm not saying when. =P
We worked on some more spring cleaning and organizing later. There isn't too much to do yet because we haven't weaned the lambs. Later today I suspect we'll do chores and build more fences for the sheep. I also learned to drive the 'bota (kubota) today. It's what they mainly use for moving things around the farm... well, that and the John Deere Gator.
As I look out my window, it is raining yet again... apparently this is a common occurrence in Vermont... but it's also really chilly. Hopefully it'll warm up soon because working in cold rain really sucks.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
First Day of Work At Peaked Mountain Farm
I moved in yesterday to this wonderful spot in Vermont known as Peaked Mountain Farm. The housing is excellent as well as the location and food. It really is a beautiful place... the only problem is that it's 4 1/2 hours from home.
Today was my first day of work. Nahum and I met Bob outside at 5 to learn chores and the typical run down of the facilities... It's definitely been a while since I've been up that early... We learned a few aspects of the sheep but it was sort of difficult because it was pouring out, so after learning a few things we went into the cheese house to clean up. I also helped to clean up the milking parlor which hasn't been used since last year. On Sunday we will wean the lambs off of the sheep and start milking the sheep, which will be an experience that I can't wait to do because I really like the hands on experiences with the animals.
After cleaning up a bit more, we went into Bob's kitchen and learned how to make the bread that he sells at the farmer's markets. I feel that it's very interesting that he gives us all aspects of having a farm like this and making products that you can market and make a profit off of.
We had a break from 9-2 and then started back up learning how to make a fancier type of bread from Anne, which is also taken to the farmer's markets and sold. This is an excellent educational experience for the people that are looking for a niche market that they can pursue and have it be profitable. We also Anne and Bob to clear more pasture for the sheep, which the pigs had previously excavated. After we had completed that task, we started chores again by feeding the recently lambed sheep and the bottle babies. We then went to the pasture where the milking sheep are and moved them into a new pasture, picked up the previous pasture, and put up the pasture for tomorrow.
After only one day I feel that this will be a very good educational opportunity for me. I understand that the farmer's market aspect is extremely important, but I hope that I will be able to have more hands-on experience with the sheep than the other interns get because I am more animal-oriented whereas they are more culinary-oriented. I'll mention it to Bob in a few days to see if this will be possible, though I feel it will be once we start milking the sheep.
Time for bed. I get to sleep in tomorrow! I don't have to be out to meet Bob until 7!!
Today was my first day of work. Nahum and I met Bob outside at 5 to learn chores and the typical run down of the facilities... It's definitely been a while since I've been up that early... We learned a few aspects of the sheep but it was sort of difficult because it was pouring out, so after learning a few things we went into the cheese house to clean up. I also helped to clean up the milking parlor which hasn't been used since last year. On Sunday we will wean the lambs off of the sheep and start milking the sheep, which will be an experience that I can't wait to do because I really like the hands on experiences with the animals.
After cleaning up a bit more, we went into Bob's kitchen and learned how to make the bread that he sells at the farmer's markets. I feel that it's very interesting that he gives us all aspects of having a farm like this and making products that you can market and make a profit off of.
We had a break from 9-2 and then started back up learning how to make a fancier type of bread from Anne, which is also taken to the farmer's markets and sold. This is an excellent educational experience for the people that are looking for a niche market that they can pursue and have it be profitable. We also Anne and Bob to clear more pasture for the sheep, which the pigs had previously excavated. After we had completed that task, we started chores again by feeding the recently lambed sheep and the bottle babies. We then went to the pasture where the milking sheep are and moved them into a new pasture, picked up the previous pasture, and put up the pasture for tomorrow.
After only one day I feel that this will be a very good educational opportunity for me. I understand that the farmer's market aspect is extremely important, but I hope that I will be able to have more hands-on experience with the sheep than the other interns get because I am more animal-oriented whereas they are more culinary-oriented. I'll mention it to Bob in a few days to see if this will be possible, though I feel it will be once we start milking the sheep.
Time for bed. I get to sleep in tomorrow! I don't have to be out to meet Bob until 7!!
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