When Kristen Southworth emails a list of produce available each week from her farm and that of neighboring farmers in Campbell Hill, Illinois, she includes an introductory note, usually having to do with the weather. For a city girl like me these communiques offer a peek into life on the farm, and the challenges and joys that reside there.
Last month Kristen mentioned that the yolks in her hens fabulous eggs were getting paler due to the fact that the chickens were hot. Yesterday she wrote:
"Well, it's still hot! But we haven't lost a chicken in the past 3 weeks so I am hoping they are all sufficiently acclimated by now. We also got a new calf named Lucille (see above). Her mom deserted her the day after she was born because of the heat stress. We happened to stumble across her, panting, alone, and almost dead in the sun. We threw her in the truck and built her a little shelter on the back of the chicken coop, got the biggest bottle I've ever seen, and she has been getting better ever since. She thinks she is a chicken and is constantly in the chicken coop! One day soon she'll be too big but for now it is just so cute and the chickens pay no mind to her, in fact I think they like her. "
When Kristen sent the photo so I could post if for you, she continued: "It absolutely amazes me how the dogs, cats, chickens, guineas, and the cow get along so lovingly. It makes one think. An Amish gentleman here has offered to help me get her halter trained so eventually we can hook her up to small carts. He says cattle are less stubborn than horses, but I'll keep you posted."
If you would like to get on Kristen's list for produce delivered to your door, contact her at [email protected]