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.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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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