Barns and Babies

The days of spring down on the farm are 

always busy with cattle working to improve the health of our beef cattle

and fertilizing the fields that will bring on the growth of hay but

this year we added barn building onto the schedule.

This barn will be used to store hay.  When complete it will 

also have areas on the side that cattle can rest under for shade or 

for protection from inclement winter weather.

Truly a picture of modern day barn raising with all family members

involved as the crane was lifting the trusses in place.

We still manage to enjoy the beauty of spring 

as we check cattle and watch the new babies

stay  close to their mama or run around like crazy,

                                          to celebrate the spring birthdays with the family,

                        

                                                and appreciate the beauty in the garden.
 

                           

                                          I hope you are enjoying and celebrating spring

                                    as much as we are down on the Arkansas farm!

Impact of Women in Agriculture

During Women's History Month, I often think about the

impact of   women working in agriculture. 

My late mother-in-law definitely made an impact

on my life and provided a great appreciation for living

down on the dairy farm.

The barn you see behind this row of calves was the

milking barn on our farm during World War II.

Ryan's mother, Bonnah Lyn, milked cows every day while 

waiting on Bill, my father-in-law, to return

from Japan. 

Bonnah Lyn kept the home fires burning as 

she worked beside her father everyday caring for

livestock and helping with the apple orchard.

 Bonnah, in her own stubborn way, was progressive.

She never liked change but she was always 

striving to improve the farming operation.

In the early fifties after moving down the 

road from where she was born,

this barn provided a larger area for milking,

 hay storage and a shelter for other livestock.

Raising chickens was added for diversification.

One of her greatest accomplishments in her view was 

raising a son. In her words," the best crop I ever grew."

I fully understand and agree with her  as I work with her

 son and grandsons everyday down on the dairy farm.

                                    May we never forget the sacrifices made by those before

                                    us to make a  better life for the next generation. 

                                     Women's History Month reminds me that  our

                                           challenge  is to continue that tradition!