Monday, February 08, 2010
A new year has arrived and despite the cold and blustery weather here in Iowa it felt warm and cozy inside our little house on the prairie. The inclement weather did not stop time, but it did force us to make some adjustments to our plans. I had loads of paperwork to do and holiday functions to attend, but when the weather made a turn for the worst and my dad asked me to help with the pigs I had to drop everything. It was foggy and cold. The pigs needed bedding and we had to check to make sure...
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
It's that time of year when everything speeds up before it slows down. Winter is coming as you can see by just looking at the birds cascading across the countryside making their way south for the winter. It congers up feelings of nostalgia for me, reflecting on the summer that has just passed. The pigs born in the field in April, the tomatoes in my garden that took forever to ripen and now it's time to clean up and make plans for next year.I have an old leather bound book I found at a thrift...
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Monday, September 21, 2009
This year we hosted our 11th annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner. During this weekend-long celebration, we recognize Niman Ranch farmers who raise the animals and tend to the land. Each year, Niman Ranch selects a group of chefs to come to Iowa to meet and cook for the Niman Ranch Farmers.We begin the weekend with a tour of the Willis Farm. This provides the chefs and other guests with an opportunity to see first-hand how we raise our animals traditionally, outdoors on pasture or deeply bedded...
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