Farm freeze fun - Day 1!

It dropped 48 degrees from yesterday morning to this (Monday) morning. Sustained winds last night were 20-30 miles an hour. Wind chill this morning was 10 degrees.

Last night we covered all pipes and disconnected all hoses across the entire farm. Four houses, all barns, all pastures.

In the garden, pipes were drained and there was a push to harvest anything that could be harvested. Garden beds double covered, beds were held down by sand bags and cement blocks. All hoop houses were fully secured.

Farm animals were coaxed into “warm enough places” for their particular breed. A bevy of heat lamps and extension cords were used to reach broiler chickens in the field, extra hay was put under sheep goats, and pigs to keep them warm, all doors were closed on layering chicken mobiles, horses were given a new shavings to keep them warm, the water truck was moved into the horse barn so we would have running water this morning.

The most entertaining thing was watching us move 300 sheep including about fifty young lambs across a pasture and into a barn at the same time that some of our younger dogs decided to play with lambs. This was all done as it was getting dark, and yes, there was yelling and running until we could get those puppies put in the previous days sheep pen. All sheep and lambs were accounted for in the barn!

The damage in the garden was significant though not as bad as we had expected because of the awesome work of garden guru Colin Hendee and Sharleen Allen.

On the animal side we had great success. I don’t know what we would have done without the ever faithful, hard-working and kind Alex Campos and the best business partner ever @susanccox68 yesterday. Jesus’ Ochua, the best neighbor I have ever had, and @marmyres, on her next to last day on the farm no less, came in this morning to do all the chores and get us ready for tonight. Animal savant and farm veterinarian @andylopglez, you are up tomorrow!

We couldn’t be more prepared with the best farm team ever but please say a little prayer for all farms and farm workers that might be in the path a winter storm. Hopefully it’s no big deal but the forecast is crazy!

(Photo circa winter storm 2020)