Tail end of summer

It is hard to believe that summer is quickly winding down and soon shorts and afternoon barbeques will be replaced with long sleeve shirts and the turning of leaves. But for right now, it is still summer and the warmth of the sun still casts its translucent glow as day fades into dusk and the animals scurry with the buzz of the bees and rolling around in the emerald green grass of their pastures.

Summer, for us, is typically a whirlwind with markets, the animals and a whole host of other responsibilities that accompany the farm life. This summer wasn't any different, but for right now we strive to take in the beauty of our surroundings and never take it for granted. Tristan and Gabe have taught us the lesson of taking life by the moment, not by the year or next event on the calendar.

E-I-E-I-OOOOO

The following was provided by our oldest daughter, Erin:
If you were to have asked me back in high school where life would lead, what line of work myself and my family would be in I may have guessed farming on the 128th attempt. Farming....so unconventional and in so many ways it embodies who my parents are. Since I was a kid my parents have broke the mold when it comes to taking life by the horns (no pun intended:) and refusing to settle in any way, shape or form.

The last two days on the farm I spent walking around and really trying to capture what they've created through the lens of a camera. In the height of summer the trees hang heavy with apples and pears, cattle graze from the plush green grass and pigs and chickens seem to find solace in one another's company. It really is amazing, but it is a level of beauty and serenity that has come through an incredible amount of work, time and ongoing efforts to maintain the needs of the animals and the land.

What I feel people have just recently began to realize the importance of knowing where their food comes from. Going to the markets with my mom has really opened my eyes. Beautiful flowers, fruits and veggies line tables. Fresh jams, cheeses and meats are loaded into vans in the early morning hours to reach the market by 7 am. It really is an amazing service to the Richmond community, but what I wonder is how many that frequent their local markets realize how demanding, back breaking and intense the work is to get the product to the point of sale? I watch my dad spend tireless hours with his animals caring, tending and ensuring that their standards are high. There is so much that goes into what finally arrives at the market and ultimately on the plates of those within the community. It has totally altered my view on food, farming and truly appreciating what it's all about.

Your local community farmers work hard, very hard. The big dudes at Tyson, Purdue and wherever else are pumping these crazy hormones into animals that really have no quality of life. I watch Tristan chasing chickens, the cows leaning against the fruit trees to knock down a few pears and think how beautiful all of it is. The problem is that the big companies are now pressuring those up in high places (nudge, nudge..wink,wink) to put strain on the local farmers. They are proposing a tax on small farmers and taxing each and every animal. If that were to go through the many local farmers in Virginia will inevitably go under. Unfortunately, that includes my parents.


The hope is for those concerned to contact their local government officials and to speak up. My parents and other farmers I've come in contact with over the past two years have really opened my eyes to what is involved in small community farming along with the dark side of big corporations. I'm not trying to get all postal on this issue, but too often we settle for complacency and at some point that's going to bite us in the bum.

Although I'm so not anywhere near a farmer (although I try like all get out while on 8996 Nutbush) I so love the beauty that accompanies good old Faith Farm. Tristan and I walked aimlessly around the night before I left taking pictures and just talking. As I was hurrying to take a pic of a few pigs under the tree he seemed to notice my frustration and leaned over to me, grabbed my hand and said, "E, no worries." All I could do was smile : )

Gabriel, blessings and new seasons

With spring beginning to finally show signs of sticking around the pace on Faith Farm has also picked up. Trees are blossoming, animals are scurrying around and we have a new little farmer to the Faith Farm clan. 

Gabriel Paul DeLaura was born March 28th to Jess & Daniel at a healthy 9 lbs & 5 oz. He is home with mom and dad with big brother, Tristan, making sure he is around to give plenty of kisses and hugs when needed. He is truly a joy to our hearts and we are profoundly thankful for his health and transition from hospital to home. 

With the warmer weather and the pleasant sense of being able to finally get out of the house and enjoy the joys of spring has been wonderful. Tristan had a great time trying to track down a few pigs who sprung from their pens. We hope you enjoy this little clip. Have a great week! 

A DAY OF FAITH

Not quite a typical day on the farm. On Wednesday ,Christy (Thistletown Farms) and I headed out to North Carolina to bring our 3 Angus Cows and 3 hogs to the processor. We had a

pleasant, albeit long drive. Taking animals to the processor is one of our least favorite things to do. But its all part of the cycle. Paul & I always pray over our animals. We ask that God keep them calm and peaceful as well as thanking them for providing  our food asking that all who partake will be blessed. It was a seemingly unevental trip.... We are always grateful 

when the animals get off the trailer in a calm,gentle manner. And the folks that take care for them are kind and respect them. The angus gently walked off the trailer into their pen. We breathed a sigh of relief and then headed to the processors to drop off the hogs. 

We were running late, so I called and asked that they leave the gate open for us. This was the first time that I was without Paul & I had a sense of what to do, but it was a little unsettling. Christy and I set up the trailer and let the pigs into their pen. They were just sitting in the corner of the trailer seeming to say, 'I'm comfortortable, 

there is no way that I'm moving...' Sooooo, after praying for God's guidance I really thought I would have to take them back home. There is no way that I'm going to poke and prod them into compliance. Paul has a way with them and they listen. After about spending about ten minutes just talking to them, the three of them simply got up and strolled into their pen. Christy and I looked at one another and started to cry. I know, you had to be there to grasp the relief that we felt. 

Our animals have a wonderful life during their time on Faith Farm and we want them to not be afraid at the end. Not sure if it's silly, but we felt that it was nothing short of a miracle that these hogs who are usually very stubborn just sort of marched into their pen. By this time it was after five with two hours to get home. We turned into a parking lot clipping the corner of a sign, not a good thing. Thankfully the trailer was empty, but the tire was wedged between the sign, not damaging it. If Chris went back or forward it would rip the sign out. We were exhausted, Paul was home and we were  tired. I prayed asking God to send someone to help. We didn't want to call for a tow truck and the men that were around were pretty much worthless. Chris knew what needed to be done. So along comes this perky girl with a pick up asking, 'do you guys need help?' She jumps out, pulls out a chain, pops it on the trailer and gives it a gentle nudge. In a matter of seconds we were out of our situation and a sigh of relief came over both of us. Again, another answer to prayer. How much better life would be if we brought everything to God in prayer. 

A little sun and no jacket goes a long way

It's amazing what a little rise in temperatures can do for the spirits. Paul & I managed to take a brief break in the day's chores to just sit on the porch, bask in the sun's warmth and soak in that false sense of spring that we were quite content with. Strutting around without a jacket and the temptation to put on a pair of flip flops made everyone in the house and our animals a little lighter in spirit. The piglets were out in full force and our chickens seemed excited to not have any hint of frost on the grass. 

The past two days have been truly a blessing and although the temps are expected to dip down again, we'll take what we can get. Tristan had a blast not being fully bundled up and able to run around helping his Pop out on the farm. We are excited for our oldest daughter, Erin, to spend next weekend with us. It's always a joy to have a full house and just be together. Good stuff. 

The few, the strong... the farmer

As January is beginning to fade into February it's hard to believe 2009 is in full swing. You turn on the television, radio and even in daily discussion the theme of economy and the road ahead has many in a flurry. Businesses are going bust and stability seems to have faded somewhere along the line. But the reality is, we are a resilient country and shall persevere as we have in times past; it's just going to take a little time. 

We've walked many paths in our lives and I have to say farming has not only been educational, but insightful in more ways than we could have ever imagined. We believe strongly in our work and take pride in tending to the many small details that go into making our final product possible. It takes time, patience and a whole lot of faith.
In our hearts we want to be able to serve our customers for years to come. But what we've realized more than ever these past few weeks, is that we need you in order for that to be a reality. Sometimes convenience or weather can take precedent over doing what we're accustomed. But we're going full steam ahead and hope that you too will join us. Have a blessed week.  

Chill in the air

The recent tumbling of temps has made tending to the farm all the more interesting. With frozen ground and blistering cold you have to get creative in keeping warm while tending to the animals. Stock in Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate may rise due to residents of Faith Farm as well as thermals being  out in full swing. Our hope is within the week or two that there is a break in the cold and the digits rise, even if only slightly. 

There is nothing we can do to prevent the cold, but one of the most important things is to be able to have fun and enjoy the daily grind no matter what the circumstance. Paul tends to the pigs and Tristan will quickly yell, "push me Pop, push me." The pigs will just have to wait an extra ten minutes for the food until Tristan and Pop have a few laughs on the tire swing. Keeping the priorities in check are important. 

Here's a pic of Jess & Chrissy out at the market a few weekends ago when the sun was out and the jackets were left in the car. What a day it was! Even in the cold and chill, we're at the market : ) We hope to see you there. Have a blessed week.