My agricultural life
In the winter, farmers take holidays or go to meetings. In the summer, they're busy celebrating, having parties, and hosting fairs. As a result, I've been really busy this past week. On Tuesday, I joined members of the Agriculture and Food Council as they toured the Peace. I managed to meet a lot of people from all over the province, which was really cool. We took an airconditioned bus to a number of outfits in the area. The first stop was Red Willow Gardens, home to the world's best carrots. I have known both Eric and Carman for a while, but had never been out to their farm before. They own a market garden farm, and grow all kinds of vegetables. They have a gorgeous property, right on the banks of the Red Willow river. It's absolutely beautiful and it was a treat to walk around and see their land and hang out with them.
Yesterday I went out to First Nature Farms . I've talked to the owner, Jerry, many times on the phone and in person, but had never been out to his place. Jerry was the second farm in Alberta to become a a WWOOF Canada farm. WWOOFers (which include my friends sadie6 and meli-mello) are world wide workers on organic farms. It's a good way to see another country, meet local people and learn more about agriculture. Jerry's farm is awesome. He had baby turkeys (really weird looking), bison, chickens that just walk around completely free range, a few cows, and pigs and piglets (so cute!). He told me about some of his past Wwoofers, including a guy from Tokyo who had never been out in the country. Apparently WWoofing can be absolutely life-changing for some people. THen I talked with his present Wwoofer, a young guy from the Netherlands. The Wwoofer and I then went to check on a young calf. I'm not a big fan of cows (they're not too bright), but I love calves because they're so flipping cute.
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Tomorrow I'll be heading out to Beekeeper field days. Saturday I'll be taking in a tea party with llamas, as I tour Starbright farm which specializes in agricultural entertainment for families. I told my coworker that I am possibly one of the few people who has had tea with both llamas and lamas.
Next week, I'll also be viewing a "hinny". The hinny is the counterpart to a mule, as it is the offspring of a stallion (horse) and a jenny (donkey). Hinnies are extremely rare. I'd never heard about them until this woman phoned to tell us that one had been born on her farm. While doing a little Internet research on the hinny, I learned that the offspring of a zebra and a donkey is known as a "zedonk" or a "zebrass." These animals are possibly the cutest things I've seen in a while. I want one.
Yesterday I went out to First Nature Farms . I've talked to the owner, Jerry, many times on the phone and in person, but had never been out to his place. Jerry was the second farm in Alberta to become a a WWOOF Canada farm. WWOOFers (which include my friends sadie6 and meli-mello) are world wide workers on organic farms. It's a good way to see another country, meet local people and learn more about agriculture. Jerry's farm is awesome. He had baby turkeys (really weird looking), bison, chickens that just walk around completely free range, a few cows, and pigs and piglets (so cute!). He told me about some of his past Wwoofers, including a guy from Tokyo who had never been out in the country. Apparently WWoofing can be absolutely life-changing for some people. THen I talked with his present Wwoofer, a young guy from the Netherlands. The Wwoofer and I then went to check on a young calf. I'm not a big fan of cows (they're not too bright), but I love calves because they're so flipping cute.
****
Tomorrow I'll be heading out to Beekeeper field days. Saturday I'll be taking in a tea party with llamas, as I tour Starbright farm which specializes in agricultural entertainment for families. I told my coworker that I am possibly one of the few people who has had tea with both llamas and lamas.
Next week, I'll also be viewing a "hinny". The hinny is the counterpart to a mule, as it is the offspring of a stallion (horse) and a jenny (donkey). Hinnies are extremely rare. I'd never heard about them until this woman phoned to tell us that one had been born on her farm. While doing a little Internet research on the hinny, I learned that the offspring of a zebra and a donkey is known as a "zedonk" or a "zebrass." These animals are possibly the cutest things I've seen in a while. I want one.