What has a farming and ranching lifestyle taught us over the last ten months (since my photo round-up last October)? Patience, perseverance, and flexibility! When we first moved to the Bitterroot Valley we were known around town as "the basketball player and the gymnast". Slowly, ever-so-slowly, we've been swapping our athlete identities for that of farmers. It may be "those crazy farmers with …
Farming Garbage: cleaning up and escaping consumerism
We live in a consumeristic society! We have the technology to extract and produce. We have the desire to buy and buy and buy some more. We love new things (at least in the short-term), and we save our pennies for the next best product. We accumulate a lot of "STUFF." Whether this is driven from hopes of “things” bringing happiness, an emphasis on material status symbols, or because we no longer …
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Life and Death: “That’s Part of Farming” they say
Spring signifies new life, and on Red Rock Family Farm (I think this is the first reveal of our farm name) we have a vision -- an abundance of new life. It’s not Spring quite yet, but we are already starting to experience the inevitable cycles of both life and death. With the start of any new job, lifestyle, focus, or hobby, the learning – or the “ah ha” moments – bombard you right and …
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Wildlife on the Farm: Seeking Biodiversity and Balance
There is something about nature's wild creatures that always intrigues. Majestic, elusive, and one of our last indigenous connections. Wildlife is an important piece of our permaculture puzzle and our vision to support biodiversity here on the farm. In the few short months that we've been in Montana, we have realized that this property is already rich with creatures big and small. From elk …
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Building Farm Efficiency: Learning Through Experience
One of the very first tidbits learned in permaculture design is the importance of efficiency. Whether or not you live on a farm, this concept can be applied to your own life. How do you move through your space to get tasks done in a timely manner, utilize resources with minimal waste, and place elements for ease of access? This past week our family filled in to take care of the animals on a …
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