Farming Seems so Easy...

...when you're an onlooker, that is.  And even then, we're pretty quick to see that there is a lot of hard physical work to be done...we just aren't doing it at the moment!  The way I see it, we are at a perfect starting point seeing what's involved in farming, the responsibilities, the difficulties, the benefits, with none of the responsibility. 

The house we are renting lies between Baldwin and New Richmond in a little township called Erin Prarie.  How little, you ask?  Chris found out the other day that in order to register to vote in Erin Prarie he has to visit the County Clerk...at her house.  (I told him to ask which days she bakes cookies).  The house, which is at least twice as big as our condo in Vegas, sits on 10 acres of land, most of it pasture land.  There is a large barn, a nice yard, a couple of chicken coops, and a lot of grass and trees.  The farmers are the landlords, and visit the property at least twice a day to tend to the 15 cows, 100+chickens, 30 ducks, and 3 horses, as well as do labor around the property.  That was probably my biggest concern with the property when I was on my house hunt...was it going to be strange to have the landlords around everyday?  Were they going to be overprotective and overbearing of what we were doing on their property?  So far, no issues. They have been friendly, complimentary of the kids and how well they listen (what?!? which kids are those?), and given us pretty much free reign on the wealth of tomatoes they are unable to keep up with in the small garden patch...it's truely amazing how many of those will grow on such a limited amount of land.


We often offer help around the farm, with lifting or moving things, harvesting, or winterizing, but generally are turned down.  However, we have been invited to some pretty significant events like sharing in the excitement of the birth of a new calf and watching as the immunizations were ministered only hours after being born.  We've also got our share of farm fresh eggs, in exchange we are gifting of homemade cookies, apple crisp, and banana chocolate chip muffins.  It's been a good relationship so far...and since they do the lawn mowing AND snow removal (Hallelujah!), I have no complaints!

The house was likely built in the 20's or 30's and has been owned and farmed by the current couple for 30 years.  For the last 15 years, the house has been a rental, as the couple moved into town.  (I won't tell you about the condition of the house or what happened to the previous owners in this post...that will be for another time.  Ooh...now I've got your curiosity peaked! ;).  It's a beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-story home with all hard wood flooring, large rooms, and great woodwork.  It has so much rustic appeal that creates a nice backdrop for our contemporary-meets-vintage decor style.  I tend to like either really old things or really hip, modern things...not a whole lot in between.  Most of our furniture is either vintage in nature or from IKEA.  I would have to say, currently our master bedroom is my favorite room in the house...very minimalistic, very zen.  It is very safe to say, we really like living in this house.

I tried to do a little video tour of the property, as promised...but the quality was not good and I haven't had any luck with the editing.  I will have to work on those skills...maybe between homemade applesauce and applique-ing sushi onesies!  Don't discount your ability to assist in the purchase of a new camera!  Shop www.breedbaby.etsy.com!  Shameless marketing...get used to it.