Tribute to a fallen farmer.

"It seems to me that farming communities all over the country may still hold the key to what makes this country a shining beacon in a world of trouble."

Read about a beautiful tribute to a fellow farmer and friend here.



Photographs by Matt Rubel

a bittersweet Sunday. {saying goodbye}

Making the Move.
Mat Kearney is playing on my Pandora station right now. His cd was on repeat the entire drive to our new home in the country. Every time I hear his music I reminisce about that day. My Jeep was packed to the brim and I couldn't wait to start a new life with my husband, at our new home; a single-wide, actually.

The past three years at the ranch have been the best, most challenging (and busy) years Jesse and I have experienced in our lives. We had only been married a year when we got the call that Jesse was needed at the ranch. It was a very emotional decision that we don't regret because afterall, it has led us to our forever home. 

The Decision.
We all make sacrifices in our lives, so my story isn't different from yours. We all know how it feels to make the tough, but right decisions.

As sheep ranchers we've learned a LOT of patience and more importantly we've learned to trust our gut. We've learned that as long as we have each other, we can get through it all. We've learned that challenges and struggles can strengthen a marriage, but it can also destroy one; it's a fine line you have to walk. We've grown so much as a couple the past three years; I trust Jesse's decisions and count on his reassurances. We make a great team and I am so grateful to call him my husband.

Jesse and I decided months ago (after years of pushing through the doubt) that this fall we will gracefully bow out of running the family sheep ranch. This Sunday will be our final trail home. Obviously I won't go into (personal) details, but there are several factors (some outside of our control) that have led us to this decision.We have to rely on our instincts...we tried to ignore it for too long.

Saying goodbye to the sheep, the dogs, the beauty of it all and the herders is hard to think about and it's a very sad time for the entire family. I am grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to experience such a wonderful thing. Fortunately, the "operation" will go to a local sheep rancher so we will see the sheep every now and again making their trails to and from the summer and winter range, and I'm sure as often as we would like. We are also sure the dogs will walk their way back to the only home they've ever known so, we'll look forward to their visits. It also looks like we'll inherit a few of the older/retired dogs, which I don't mind one bit. :)

The Future.
If you know anything about the agricultural community you know that the small farmer and rancher get the short end of the stick in everything. It's been an uphill battle for us since the day we've arrived, and because of this Jesse and I plan to remain very active in the agricultural industry; the industry needs more voices.

We see the struggles and have experienced many of them first hand and so, my husband the entrepreneur has created something amazing for the industry, Harvest Funders, LLC. It's going be a great and wonderful resource for the ag community. I can't wait to share the final product with you.  
(My fellow Ag-bloggers if you are interested in hearing more, please email me.)

{{Harvest Funders, LLC is launching November 2013}}

Hasta!
So, we are saying goodbye to the job of running sheep year round, but aren't saying goodbye to the industry in the slightest. I will continue to be a proud ranching wife and I am so proud of the hard work my husband has given and the sacrifices he has made every single day for the past three years.

We will have a small herd of sheep of our own (that I already have names for), Jesse will convert the grazing pasture to hay fields and I'm currently trying to talk Jesse in to getting a pig. I'm not sure the direction this blog will go, but I am so glad I started this blog and documented our sheep ranch adventures!

My friends, it is with a sad heart, but positive and hopeful thoughts that I press the "Publish" button on this post. We are trusting our guts and trusting each other in this decision and looking forward to what the future has in store for our little family. It's never easy ending a chapter of your life that you enjoyed to the fullest.

Thank you for following along the past three years and I'll be back soon. Thank you to our friends and family for all the support you've given us since day one.

Don't Forget Rural Colorado! {Flood Disaster Relief}

I'm sure you are well aware that the great state of Colorado is under water right now. The Southwest corner (where Jesse and I are located) is faring pretty well although, that is not to say we are exempt. Just last night some areas nearby experienced flooding that caused road closures, building damage and rock slides.

The recent flooding occurred earlier this week in very rural communities spreading from Fort Collins near the Wyoming border over to the east impacting Greeley and Sterling, Colorado and surrounding areas. The floodwaters continue to flow south through Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs. I want to do my part by sharing information with you about how you can help! The devastation to Colorado ranches and farms is tremendous; the people that feed us need our help! I don't know if many realize, but the devastation in Colorado will impact you and your family in one way or another. Many crops are lost, an estimated 60,000 dairy cows stranded, packaging plants forced to close...the list goes on and on. If you think this won't affect you, you are mistaken.

Local photographer, Mitch Bowers took the photo below; it sends such a real message. The agricultural community took a huge hit when these floodwaters started flowing. You may not know a farmer or rancher on a personal level, but the devastation is real and these people need your help. Let us not forget rural Colorado.

You can view more aerial photos by Mitch Bowers on his Facebook page. 

This video and article of a stranded horse named, Socks broke my heart. Socks is now safe and uninjured, but the sight and story of this stranded horse is undoubtedly heartbreaking and only one of many.

The Colorado Farm Bureau is just one organization that you might consider donating to and they have set up a Disaster Relief Fund in which 100% of the proceeds will be given to members of the ranching and farming community. Please click here if you would like to help members of the farming and ranching community.

Jesse and I are very active with the Colorado Farm Bureau and we strongly support their mission of being the voice for agriculture and thank them for putting this Disaster Relief Fund together.






If the Colorado Farm Bureau's Disaster Relief Fund is not your organization of choice, please see below...there are several other ways you can help!

Thank you to my Boulder area friend, Aubrey for putting the information below together.

 · The Longmont Humane Society is accepting animals of flood evacuees daily and has sheltered over 140 animals so far. A monetary donation is their biggest need, but they are also looking for large metal dog crates and poop bags. Visit the following link to learn more and donate: https://www.longmonthumane.org/?q=flood-evacuation-information

· Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten suffered a lot of damage in the flood. Visit the following site to see the list of items that they need donated:http://junipertreepuppets.com/donations-needed-for-flooded-kindergarten-in-boulder-colorado/

 · Jeffco Fairgrounds big animal evacuation center is desperately needing helping hands for any amount of time. Many of their animals are local, and with so many local families affected by the flooding, they are at high capacity of animals checked in, but very limited with volunteers. (Volunteers must be over 18 and familiar/comfortable working with horses and possibly other large animals). Please contact the Patchwork School if you are interested in volunteering.

· If you own a business, you could look into Yellowscene Magazine’s initiative to support those who are open for business in helping individuals affected by the flood. Their flood campaign initiative will help the community by encouraging people to frequent local businesses that are helping contribute to the rebuilding efforts. Contact Lancaster Thelen atLancaster.thelen@yellowscene.com for more information.

Organizations to turn to for more opportunities…

· Boulder Flood Relief is a local, boots on the ground, all-volunteer group facilitating and organizing relief for displaced and in need individuals. On their website,http://boulderfloodrelief.org/contact/, you can sign up to receive emails about various opportunities to support Boulder Community Members.

· Salvation Army: Help those affected during the days of storm ahead and during long-term recovery. The Salvation Army uses 100 percent of your disaster donations in support of local disaster relief operations. To give, visit imsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) and designate "Colorado Floods." You may also text GIVEHOPEIM to 80888 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army.* Donations by mail may be designated "Colorado Floods" and sent to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 60006, Prescott, Arizona 86304.

· Red Cross: To help people affected by disasters like these floods, people can donate by visitingredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be made by visitingColoradoRedCross.org. 

· Help Colorado Now:HelpColoradoNow.org is a partnership between the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD). This initiative brings together government agencies and nonprofit organizations so they may better assist communities affected by disasters.

· Foothills United Way: Foothills United Way has established the 'Foothills Flood Relief Fund' to be able to respond to the effects of these storms. Organizers expect to use this fund for immediate relief as well as longer-term recovery in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. The Fund is accessible online atunitedwayfoothills.org/floodrelief.

· All Hands Volunteers: http://hands.org

The Girly Guide to the Country Life.

I've decided that if I were to write a book (don't get nervous, this is only pretend) I would title it:

The Girly Guide to the Country Life

It would include ranch fashion tips, quick dinner recipes for your rancher, de-stress tactics and overall lifestyle tips.

Chapter 1: Ranch Fashion Yes, there is such a thing.

1. Do not wear long, flowy dresses while outside especially when near barbed wire fences.

2. Do wear nail polish as often as possible so people know you are a girl and

3. Let your hair grow long so when you are 'working' and have a cap on, people will not say, "Excuse me, young man." as they drive up behind you.

4. Wear shiny earrings all.the.time again, so people know you are a girl and make sure they have backs on them otherwise you will find your earring months later scratched, bent and unwearable.

5. NEVER throw a good pair of jeans on when you think it will be a quick and easy chore. Nothing is ever quick or easy on the ranch. You WILL rip them.

6. Don't pay attention when Judgy McJudgerson asks you if you put on make up to do chores. Nothing is better than feeling pretty and badass at the same time. Layer on that mascara, girl!

Chapter 2: Evenings with your Rancher

1. Leftovers are quick and easy for dinner, who cares if you eat the same thing two nights in a row! He's hungry and tired and happy to have something ready for him. Give yourself a break every now and then and take advantage of this.

2. Leave the dishes in the sink every now and then and catch a movie on Netflix with the hubs.

Chapter 3: De-Stress Exercises

1. Get outside. We can all waste hours staring off into the interwebz, but fresh air is truly the best medicine. Go for a walk or sit outside and read a book.

2. Talk to the animals. They are great listeners and hardly ever judge.

3. When all else fails ask your rancher if any demo needs to be done around the ranch.

 Chapter 4: Lifestyle

1. Never start a shower when your husband recently told you he thinks there is a crack in a pipe somewhere. Ask for permission or else your shower will be unexpectedly cut short and it will most likely happen in the middle of soaping your hair.

2. Spiders are everywhere and not every one is a brown recluse. Say that with me one more time...Spiders are everywhere and not every one is a brown recluse.

The moment you accept this is the moment your life will improve and your anxiety will lessen. Know that because you are the one in the household with a small case of arachnophobia, you will be the one to find every spider. You will be the one with the spiders on your side of the bed. You will be the one with the spider in your shoe which leads me to my next two tips...

3. Always check your shoes before you put your feet in them.

4. Remember to check under the sheets before you crawl into bed along with your pet's bedding.

y'all remember Jigs' spider bite, don't you?? In case you missed that one, click here.

5. Shake out your clothes before you put them on. Did I ever share the story about the (very large) spider that crawled down my face because I didn't shake out my shirt? I'll spare you, but just know it wasn't pretty.

6. Shake out your towel before you use it. I don't think I ever told you about the spider I dried my face with once. Yeah, that wasn't pretty either.

Okay, enough about spiders. Let's move on to water.

7. Do not freak out when you go to use the restroom and the person before you didn't flush. It's a country thing and you won't understand until you've experienced your well running dry. Oh, and my fellow Californians - puhlease stop rinsing down your concrete driveway. That water you are wasting was a gift from the Colorado mountains, water that we really could use right about now.

8. When you have animals do not make solid plans with your friends. The second you do there will be a sheepergency and you'll have to cancel, then you just look like an ass. I have a standard sheep disclaimer that I include every time I RSVP.

9. Y'all already know not to pick up stray "dogs" at night. If you haven't heard that story, click here.

10. Do not. I repeat DO NOT lift up anything old and rusty looking at the ranch. If it looks like it's been there for a while chances are there is something dead and decomposing underneath. True story.

11. When you hear heavy breathing outside your window, always assume it's the neighbors cows not a bear or a peeping Tom.

12. God gave us two hands for a reason. One hand is to hold a glass of wine and the other to open and close the ranch gates.

 

Country girls, what have you learned the hard way?

Share your tips and stories in the comment section below! 

Save any sheep lately?

These pictures tell a great story.

 

Click here for article.

Baa-ing Before Breakfast {and a Bloglovin request}

The past two weekends (at a time that is way too early to even mention) Jesse and I, our herders and two of our most awesome friends oh, and 2100 sheep headed up to the high country aka summer range.

In years past I've always walked and front flagged the trails heading to and from our summer range. When front flagging you can't see the chaos of the herd; you don't see everyone working their butt off trying to keep the sheep on the road.

When front flagging you enjoy the beauty around you, the birds chirping, the deer roaming - you get the picture. In case you don't...

If you can imagine the very opposite of such a peaceful state, that is what herding the back of the herd along the road feels like. Complete and utter stress and chaos.

Imagine herding 100 cats. Impossible, right? Exactly.

This year I had the great pleasure of pushing the back. Jesse pushes the front group, two people the middle group and about three people push in the back aka run like crazy chickens trying to get these ewes and lambs back on the road. No offense to chickens.

Even with all the bodies there are challenges. Challenges that include rolling ankles or having to channel your inner mountain goat and climb up the sides of hills to get sheep back on track. Or getting heat exhaustion (which happened to one of our helpers this trail). Or getting sheep dung flung onto your face. Um, that happened too. Or, my favorite is being the lucky herder that gets to chase that one lamb through an open field with nothing but hope he/she will go where you want it to, all the while having everyone watch, wait and hope as well. It's a little humiliating to have your sheep herding skills on display like that. After all, we have a "leave no sheep behind" policy.

Or...getting peed on by this little guy. Don't worry, it dried pretty quickly.

The first of these two trails is a hard one because not only is it 13 miles while gaining elevation it's the first long trail for the lambs. This means they are tired and haven't learned to stick by mama and follow the herd.

This picture below was a great portion of the trail because there was fencing along this stretch and the sheep were a bit easier to keep on track. Keep reading and you'll see what happens when there isn't good fencing.

This was right about when things went completely haywire! I mean...clothes even came off!

Lambs are mischievous little suckers. They frolic into every field, up every hill, every garden. It's no joke. This picture below is a great example of lambs misbehaving. The horses in this field actually charged at the lambs and helped us out a bit. The quality of this photo is horrible, but it was the best I could do while running. ;)

The sheep cheering squad was nice....this was around mile 5 of 13 on the first trail. First time in 20+ years we've had signs! I love my community. Two weekends later the sheep are now on our first permit of the summer, but this doesn't mean the work is done. Just this week J got a call from his friend that saw a small group of sheep running up the road. Again, mischievous little suckers. Needless to say there have been several trips up and will be many more to search for the group on the loose (click here to read about our ewe that walked herself all the way home!). Oh, and did I mention it's haying season as well? My husband works too damn hard. He deserves a vacation!

Happy First Day of Summer and please keep our beautiful state in your thoughts as we have many fires burning and a lot of firefighters risking their lives to save ours. 

And another important announcement in case you didn't know - Google Reader is going away July 1st, y'all.
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