Before we get to this edition, this Slice of Life newsletter, let me point out there’s ALSO a new blog post, that’s timely and you’re probably going to be SO glad you caught. It’s here
And now, onto our regularly scheduled entertainment!
Farmers are people, and only kind of/sort of like you & me. (Superheroes is more like it, if you ask me)
I’ve gotta believe that somewhere deep down, like in the wee hours, while still under their duvets, they too feel the call of the season and wish to just hunker down and curl up, cozy-like to enjoy the wood-stove or fireplace, maybe just the electric blanket and hit snooze one, ohh… who am I kidding (maybe 2-3-4-5 more times!)
But, for a farmer, THAT is plain ol’ crazy talk! There’s just NO time for such stuff & nonsense.
Here, around Lexington, Buena Vista, and the rest of Rockbridge County, with it’s rolling hills, vast fields and wide expanses of sunsets or occasional moonrise over House Mountain, the open landscapes are dotted with Horses, Cows, Sheep, Goats, Llamas, Hunting Dogs, Chicken, Turkeys, Ducks, even Quail. This is balanced out with an almost equally long list of hungry, scrappy predators who won’t hesitate to fight and kill to survive: Foxes, Coyotes, Hawks, crafty Raccoons, feral Cats, ubiquitous Deer who will mow down any and all plantings, the occasional Bear, and the temptingly cute, but powerfully stinky Skunks!
So, instead of languishing with hot cocoa, or a dirty-chai, our farmers instead are doubling down in this – EEK!
I got a few of our farmers to share what SOME of their daily chores include. There’s more, but this is an eye-opening, impressive (if not slightly nauseating) list already!
Our days barely “warm up” and it only gets colder as the sun goes down.. Everyone, humans and animals alike, hungry predators too, all wish to eat more to stay warm, and if you’re not HYPER-vigilant, those predators will get to the chickens and other smaller 4 -egged, or winged creatures. So while it’s this cold, farmers have to have/grow/harvest/spread more feed and hay than any other time of year. It’s also a race against the limited amount of sunshine and our main goal is to try to take care of everyone before dark!
They are outside, chopping solid massive blocks of ice out of the water trough, delivering hot water for the livestock to drink, feeding the animals. Plus collecting eggs… Every. Two. Hours. Continually. All to prevent eggs from freezing, while ensuring heat lamps are giving the baby chicks enough heat, and staying out in the cold to feed cage-free, free-range, non-gmo fed chickens.
(Mother) Nature never really sleeps; (Father)Time marches on…
Anybody else bundle up for the frigid temps in multiple layers, so you’re kind of moving like a robotic Michelin Man? Picture now also…. pruning trees, wearing long johns and multiple layers while your toes freeze and doing your best impression of life, as a human stuffed-sausage. Similarly, you’re also repairing machinery in the cold, bare-handed so you can fiddle, twist or grease the thingamabobs; repairing deer fencing in the cold, etc. and all of it at the same time you’re reaping exponentially fewer sales. Farming is a year-round responsibility, where if you don’t learn to budget, and stretch a dollar till it hollers, your farm and family likely won’t make it out of the lean season to even get to the glorious cornucopia of spring & summer seasons.
NOW IS PRIME-TIME to re-invest into farms, whether that means seeds or seedlings, inputs, cover crops, soil amendments, and so much more. Many of our farmers are despite the cold, already nurturing baby seedlings, coaxing them to grow for a productive spring season.
Clichéed as it may be, there truly is NO rest for the weary.
Much gratitude to our community of farmers that keep us fed throughout the wintertime, and our landscapes full of beauty! Enjoy this gem from out and about in Rockbridge County and please, come say “thank you” to a tired, cold farmer at the Lexington Farmer’s Market on one of our next wintry Wednesday mornings (10am -12:30pm).
I honor them preserving a way of life, and the clean air and food we’ve come to treasure in this slice of the Shenandoah Valley.
Thank you for reading… I hope you’ve enjoyed this slice of life from your warm and your cozy home. Please remember to like, post a comment below and share our newsletter to help us grow in 2025.
-Your Market Manager
Nina Kauder (She/Her),
https://lexvafm.com/about/
Certified Health & Wellness Coach
Plant-Based Chef-Educator, Holistic Therapeutic Chef
e:info@lexvafm.com
p:561-288-0358 (text is ALWAYS best)