Some updates....and my first "business trip"

My, how quickly the summer flew by! (and autumn doesn't seem to be traveling any more slowly!). It has already been a month since we said 'goodbye' to our interns, and two weeks since our 2011/12 apprentice, Noah, left to pursue a great farming position back in his home state of California.  Our three new apprentices,(chosen from last summer's interns), took some time off and are now back in the saddle here at Polyface. These changes are an adjustment, but I am always excited to embrace the next season of life.

We are winding down and getting everything in place for the winter. Chickens and rabbits are being brought into hoop houses after enjoying pasture, or some other type of open housing, for the summer. Cattle herds are being consolidated and calves are being tagged and weaned.  We have also been buying yearling calves to build up our herd to around one thousand by year's end.  Buying cattle means hauling cattle, and hauling cattle means pulling big trailers.....which brings me to the second half of this post; a trip to Tennessee!

Polyface purchased a new twenty-four foot, triple axle, goose neck cattle trailer, and I got to pick it up.  This adventure was a fun blessing from the Lord via Daniel Salatin. Thanks Daniel!  There were some good friends that I had been wanting to visit for awhile and it just so happened that they were along the route to get the trailer. Or at least I made it work that way. :-)  I had a wonderful time shooting guns, riding horses, playing football and just enjoying good Christian fellowship. On top of all this, the drive was beautiful. The Tennessee hills were covered under a blanket of brilliant colors and every turn was another breathtaking view. What better way to enjoy the autumn show than from the driver's seat of my Ford F250!  Yes, it was fun to take my first big trip in the truck I had purchased in the spring. With over 226,000 miles and counting, she ran like a clock and pulled great.

I apologize for the blurriness of some of the pictures, they were taken with my phone.  I now have a new camera, thanks to a generous gift from the staff and interns!!

OK, enough words .... below are some pictures that I hope you'll enjoy.

year end potato harvest

We hauled logs off the mountain for the new Polyface Hunt Camp.

a hot dog lunch after a full morning of logging

A summer wouldn't be complete without the pedal tractor pull at the county fair.

God keeps His promises.

a night on the bowling lanes

My brothers, Christopher and Ryan, came to visit in August. It was great to be together.

Concrete was poured into the feeding areas of the barn. It makes scooping out the deep bedding a lot easier.

The new Polyface hunt camp! Construction began in August on this building
which will serve as staff housing.  My new apartment will be the left wing!

sunset on fire

We had a memorable evening celebrating Joel's milestone farming anniversary.

Brie compiled a book of 'Thank You!' letters and meaningful notes from family, staff, and customers. Joel was a little choked up when he opened the gift.  His love for farming and passion for sharing it with others are his life.

fence building

The final product is a beautiful sight to the crew.

I brought my landscaping bent indoors with the turn of the season.

Some young friends are playing in the new trailer during the Tennessee pick up.

Ready, Aim, Fire!  No, we're not shooting at the truck.

riding the range

a couple of good friends, Tyler and Tanner

Tyler raises chickens -- Polyface style.

"Smile for the camera"

It's hooked up and ready to roll from the trailer dealer.

I think they were waiting to order.

We rode to Sonic to grab a snack.  It was a blast!!! Thank you Nathan!

First load of cattle in the new trailer.  I picked them up on my way home from TN.

The faithful crew completing our last processing of 2012.  We were doing old layers, thus the egg tray on the table.

Thanks for taking this picture Travis!

 Brie, Heather, and Ben bagging birds.   Enjoy life and have fun!