Beginner Mindset and Elawa Farm
I still keep many photos on my phone of my first few years of farming. Those photos remind me of how far I have come on tough days on the farm. Often times the brief trip down memory lane gets me back on track. This photo was from my second season at Prairie Crossing Farm in Grayslake. I leased land there for several years before moving my operation to Pecatonica. There was no permanent fencing, I did not really have proper housing for when the goats were rotationally grazing or a place to milk.
That all changed when Eric and his dad built this little beauty for me and the goats! This lifesaving structure was basically a tiny barn built on an old hay wagon. They painted it a cheery bright barn red. It had the most amazing dutch doors. I loved milking inside with the top door open to keep the goats and myself comfortable while allowing fresh air in. It was also pretty funny to peek my head out and wave to my farmer friends who I shared the land with as they drove by on their tractors. Eric and his dad cleverly designed a milking stand that folded into the wall to give the goats more room at night and made it easier for me to clean. It had little wooden sleeping benches where I would often find a snuggle pile of goats to escape the heat on late summer afternoons. I hooked it up to my truck and moved it every couple of days. This provided an opportunity for the goats to have fresh pasture and to keep them super healthy. I mowed a path so the fence would not short out from grass touching it, then I proceeded to lay out the fence and turn on the solar charger. This kept the goats contained, out of my friend’s vegetables and provided safety from roaming dogs and coyotes. I try and keep those memories with me. They inspire me to keep a beginner’s mindset. This pushes me to keep challenging myself on the farm with new ideas. This is why I am so excited to launch the therapeutic portion of our farm in September and hopefully get the non-profit kicked off as well. In those beginner years I was learning so much while building a new life and a brand new radically different career. I am grateful for those who encouraged, supported, and believed in me in those early years. What didn’t seem at all possible came true – through hard work and that support. Find those people in your life, who believe in you no matter what but even more important find that person inside yourself. These people are everything. Additionally, if you or someone you know is tackling something big, a dream, a daunting project – send them some encouragement – they will never forget it.
This crazy goat group in the photo consisted of Zooie, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Lucy (Zooie’s triplets). They are no longer with us but they will never be forgotten either.
We will be back at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest this summer and fall teaching beginner beekeeping and soap making classes! You can sign up here on Elawa’s website for our July, August, September, and October classes. We are excited to announce that six of our goats will be living full time at Elawa Farm starting at the end of June. We have been working with Elawa Farm in the role of goat consultants as they expand their educational programming for children. They have spent the last year designing an amazing barn for the goats and I know the transition will be seamless for the goats to their new farm. Luckily, I will get to see them often when I am there.
Check out our calendar of events on our website to sign up for all of our farm events and classes. Just added a few more baby goat snuggle sessions. The last one will be June 9 for the season. Don’t worry, lots more stuff happening into the fall. Mini Farm Market June 1 from 11 – 3PM (veggies, eggs, grass fed meat, flower starts, and MORE). This event is free to the public. Stop by and say hi to the goats and support your local farmers.