This week, Wes and I are away from the farm. We have travelled to Forest Grove, Oregon to celebrate the 100th birthday of Wes' mother,...

As I watch the setting sun's rays break through clouds over a dusty soybean field in harvest, I turn back toward the still-green alfalfa...

For the breeding bucks of Prairie Fruits Farm, the halcyon days of leisurely foraging in the summer pastures have ended. Yesterday...

Farm News The autumnal equinox reminds us of the push-pull nature of fall. The alfalfa fields are still growing, begging for a fourth...

Farm News Dateline: rural champaign county, late september. Farm aromas: pure bucks in rut. The seasonal smell of bucks ready to breed is...

Farm News The seasonal amnesia that clouded our decision to plant way too many tomatoes in spring is gone. The stored heat of august is...

Farm News Several weeks ago, I had driven over to my neighbor's property to borrow some dishes and silverware for our upcoming farm...

Farm News Exit august-enter september. There is a distinct change to the repertoire of bird calls in the morning. Melodic wood thrush...

Farm News The best way to know that your goats are exceptional is to put them in a heat wave. Most dairy goats on commercial dairies...

Farm News In the life of a dairy doe, there are milestones. Being born female is the first important achievement. Next comes weaning. ...

This week is "National Farmers' Markets Week," aptly timed to showcase the summer bounty of august harvests. What does it mean to...

Farm News Dairy farms and farmstead creameries use a lot of water. Water for washing down the milking parlor, water to quench thirsty...

Farm News Last week, we traveled to Des Moines Iowa to attend the annual American Cheese Society Conference. From resource constraints to...

We are off to Des Moines Iowa this week to attend the American Cheese Society conference. We'll update folks about possible winnings in...

It is mid-July yet the morning air and the landscape feel more like the end of August. The tall prairie grasses have gone to seed and the...

Farm News Sometimes, the best way to celebrate a holiday is to sit on a dock overlooking the most gorgeous serene body of water and just...

Less than 48 hours ago, I was lamenting the paltry presence of fireflies this June. Our robust prairie grasses were certainly tall...

Farm News The soil is bone dry. A dust cloud trails the rotovator as we lightly till the soil in preparation for seeding. We have...

Farm News Despite our best attempts to completely unmanage our fruit trees, we have bumper crops of cherries and pears. The grape arbors...

Farm News Cheese making is essentially microbial farming. Most of the cheeses we make employ the exploits of "starter cultures." These...