About

I have lived in central Iowa for almost my entire life.  I received my education at the local community college and Iowa State University, where I earned my BA in English in 1993.  In 2009, I completed my MA in Education.  I have been a teacher for the last sixteen years, teaching English, social studies and special education.  I raised one son, who still lives at home.  I have enjoyed living on a small acreage for the last eleven years.  It was the perfect place to raise a son and collect a large animal family of cats, dogs, goats, an ox and his companion cow, chickens, ducks, geese, peafowl, and a llama.  This past March, I was fortunate enough to purchase the sixty-eight acres that surround me.  I am now working to make my dream of being a full time farmer come true.  One important aspect of my vision is to create a beautiful haven  in the country for others to experience.  Along with the livestock, cropland, hay, and pasture this will include an on-farm market, orchards, winery, and an events center.  This blog is a chronicle of the progress, trials, and everyday events along the way.  Even though I am the owner of the farm, truly my entire family is a part of making the farm run and the dream come true.

I Am

I am a goat herder, a nature lover, a tree-hugger.

I wonder if goats see in vivid Technicolor or if their lives are grayscale.

I hear the crying of the Earth as we pollute and destroy her natural beauty.

I want to spend my days surrounded by the beauty of the natural world.

I am a goat herder, a nature lover, a tree-hugger.

I pretend my animals are the teachers and ponder the lessons they would teach.

I feel the love Millie has for her new born kid and her entire family circle.

I touch the souls of my loved ones and know their feelings.

I worry about what the world will look like in ten, fifteen, or twenty years.

I cry at the thought of plants and animals being recklessly destroyed.

I am a goat herder, a nature lover, a tree-hugger.

I understand the fear of trying, the sadness of failure, and the joy of success.

I say we can make amazing and wonderful things happen if we put our minds to task.

I dream of soaring with eagles, swimming with fish, and running with cheetahs.

I try to live a green life to inspire others to do the same.

I hope we can change our destructive habits and live in harmony with our Mother Earth.

I am a goat herder, a nature lover, a tree-hugger.

 

Farmer

Jeremy:  Jeremy grew up helping on the family farm, so he has years of experience with crops and cattle.  He has been hired to custom farm the crops.  He also works for a tiling business and has worked in management positions in Hilton hotels.  He graduated from MCC with an AA degree where he studied carpentry.  This broad experience base combined with his love of talking and being social makes Jeremy a valuable asset.

Laborer

Brandon:  Brandon grew up on the farm and has lots of experience.  He is currently attending college at Iowa State University.  He is part of the brain trust that generates ideas.  He is great in helping research and motivate to make those ideas a reality.  He is the taskmaster and organizer.  He’s always there to help whether it’s outside in the fields, with the animals, or making wine.

 

Forced Laborer

Caleb:  Teresa’s son, Caleb, has been pressed into labor since they moved to the acreage and began raising animals.  He helps with those two-man jobs like trimming hooves, fixing fence, and making hay.  He has been working with Jeremy in the tiling business and helping his uncle farm.  He graduated from DMACC in May, 2010 as a mechanic.  He also provides great creativity and problem solving skills.

Mom

Pauline: Pauline is the artist of the family.  She is vital in many of the craft items.  She is the one that taught Teresa canning, sewing, and crafting.  She is always there to help with crafts, artistic endeavors of all kinds, canning, gardening, bottle feeding kids, and pitching in anywhere she is needed.

Dad

James: Jim is retired from the Sheriff’s Department, but that just gives him more time to work at other things.  He is experienced in carpentry, having built several houses on his own.  He brings those skills to salvaging buildings, repairing buildings, and helping with all kinds of projects.  He has become the chainsaw master, helping to clean up the fields and pastures.  He does wood crafts and designed and built our wine rack.  He is a lender of tools and financial support.