Never A Dull Moment: Upstate Farm Tour 2012

Several months ago I heard of a farm tour that happens every year in our area. I knew it was something I wanted us to do. As we were cruising through Whole Foods around May 31. I saw the flyer. It could not have been on a worse weekend according to squares on our calendar. We were disappointed that Mark couldn't take this adventure with us because he was working, BUT we threw caution to the wind, plugged in our GPS target spots, and set out in search of our first farm destination.

(The first day we needed to stay a little closer to home than originally planned due the flooring guys finishing up back at the house.)

RED FERN FARM

vegetables~herbs~lamb

and some delicious, all natural, fresh strawberry-hibiscus snow cones.

BETHEL TRAILS FARM

pigs~cows~sheep~poultry~eggs

Haleigh asked our teen tour guide if she could pet the turkey. He said, "If you can catch it!" Not realizing he had just challenged Haleigh to do just that. The tour guide's mother was giving a tour to another family and realized what was happening and kindly remarked that the turkey may turn from the chased to the chaser soon. We quickly heeded the warning and made it out before Haleigh was became the chased.

After a brief stop back at the house to sign off on the flooring installation, we ended the day at

BUFFALO FARMS

It was pretty fascinating, this 1700 lb. Buffalo was only about 10 feet from us. Amazing.

Also very neat, this baby buffalo (below) was born earlier that day. To see her just walk up with the others as John the Farmer yelled to come for food... breathtaking!!

DAY 2

We kicked the second day off at
HAPPY COW CREAMERY.
We were free of our need to stay closer to home so we traveled a little further on day two and we able to coordinate with our buddies and tour with them.

Farmer Tom took a minuted between giving tours to have a picture with our kiddos. He is such a kind man and cares so much about the quality of milk he can provide for our kids and the ideas and understanding of health and taking care of the land God has given us. He is passionate about what we are teaching the coming generations.

The calf below was born earlier in the day. The girls were intrigued watching the mother care for her new calf. (It also led to a much more in depth discussion of the birth process than I ever thought I would have with Mackenzie (4) taking in every question posed and honest answer given.)

BIO-WAY FARM

~organic produce~

These folks really had our kids interest peeked as they got to smell and guess what herbs they were seeing. Then they were assisted in making their own salad dressing. It was great fun!

THE EARLY BIRD WORM FARM

worms~compost~vegetables

Not a very girly stop, but perhaps one of the most interesting! This farmer was a real down to earth, "good-ole boy" who has mastered working the land and making the land work for you. I will be anxious to follow up with this farm in the coming years as hearing his plans for his greenhouses were fascinating.