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A Week of Farm Fiascos and Silver Linings

This week on our small family farm, it felt like everything that could go wrong did. We had big plans to get ahead, but life had other ideas. From pig transport mishaps to unexpected chick deliveries and sick animals, it was a whirlwind of chaos. Yet, amid the frustration, there were moments of gratitude and small victories that reminded us why we chose this lifestyle.

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The Pig Debacle

The week started with a plan to take our pigs to the butcher. We’d set an appointment weeks in advance, borrowed a truck and trailer, and spent a sweltering 92°F day wrestling the pigs into the trailer. After hours of effort, we loaded them up by 9:00 p.m. and drove 45 minutes north, only to find the butcher’s pens were full. A scheduling mix-up—mistakes happen, but it stung. Exhausted, we drove the pigs back home and unloaded them. The next available butcher date? September 3rd. That means more feed costs and extra work we hadn’t planned for. The ordeal stressed the pigs, and soon after, they started showing signs of illness, likely pneumonia. We’re now waiting on the vet, juggling their care with other farm demands.

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Chick Chaos and Birthday Plans

The next day threw another curveball. We’d ordered 50 Cornish cross chicks, but after the pig fiasco, we completely forgot they were arriving. The post office called while I was at work, reporting our chicks were there, “alive and well.” Brianna rushed to pick them up, and we scrambled to prepare their space. They’re doing fine now, but it was another moment of feeling like we were drowning in tasks. To top it off, we’re balancing vet visits with our daughter Indy’s birthday party, adding to the week’s stress.

Escaping Pigs and Farm Reflections

As if on cue, the pigs decided to make their own adventure. The vet’s visit confirmed their illness, and we started them on antibiotics. But no sooner had the vet left than we discovered the pigs had broken through their fence and were loose in the woods. Chasing them through crackling leaves, we managed to coax them back to their pen, but not without more sweat and frustration. Moments like these make us step back and ask: how can we make this life easier? Can we streamline chores or eliminate some altogether?

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A Glimmer of Efficiency

One bright spot came in the form of a new chicken feeder we tested. It holds 85 pounds of feed—enough for weeks—eliminating the daily chore of hand-feeding the chickens. This kind of innovation feels like a small victory, saving us time and energy in a week that demanded both.

The Garden’s Triumph

Despite the chaos, our garden is thriving. The tomatoes are finally ripening after a hot spell followed by a cool-down, and the peppers are nearly ready to pick. Zucchinis are coming in steadily, perfect for frying up with breakfast or dinner. Our cabbages and broccoli, started from seed, are looking promising, though I noticed some pest damage and plan to apply an organic pesticide, Bt, to keep it under control. The butternut squash, however, is a bit of a mystery. The plants have taken over the trellis, but we’ve only spotted a couple of small squashes. I’m hoping they’ll still have time to grow before fall. Meanwhile, the pumpkins are a happy surprise—sprouting from seeds the pigs scattered last fall after eating our carved Halloween pumpkins. It’s a reminder of how nature finds a way, even in the mess.

Moving Day for the Chickens

We also moved our chickens to fresh grass this week. The line in the grass shows where they’ve grazed it down, and we shift them regularly to keep them on fresh ground with access to bugs and nutrients. This not only keeps them healthy but also enriches their eggs with vitamins. The old patch will soon regrow lush and green, thanks to the nitrogen in their manure. We’re also planning to move the pigs to fresh grass, connecting their fence to the chickens’ energizer for efficiency. It’s a small tweak, but it helps keep everyone contained and happy.

The Bigger Picture

Brianna put it best when she compared us to the pigs: stress takes a toll. Just as the pigs got sick from the chaos of being loaded and unloaded, we feel the weight of this lifestyle sometimes. Between full-time and part-time jobs, homeschooling our kids, and managing the farm, it’s a lot. The yard is often littered with toys and tools from the kids’ projects, and the house is far from orderly. But we’ve learned to embrace the mess. This season of life is chaotic, but it’s also full. One day, we’ll miss the toys scattered everywhere and the constant hum of activity.

We don’t have to farm. We could buy our meat and vegetables like most folks. But there’s something deeply fulfilling about raising our own food, tending the land, and teaching our kids where their meals come from. Despite the late nights, the failed butcher trips, and the runaway pigs, we’re grateful. We’re healthy, we’re together, and we’re building a life that’s worth the stress. Mindset matters, and we’re choosing to focus on the good—the thriving garden, the healthy chicks, and the promise of a freezer full of meat come September. This week tested us, but it also reminded us why we keep going.

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