August has a way of testing us. The sun blazes down, the chores pile up, and it feels like the farm beasts and the land demands all of our attention at once. The pasture needs cutting, fences need to be moved, flowers need to be harvested, goats need to be milked, and the animals still look to us for care, love, and connection. By the end of the day, the weight of August can feel heavy.
In the middle of July I fell pretty hard while out running which resulted in a concussion. It took me until now to feeling back to normal. It turns out my head is not as hard as Eric says it is 🙂
This middle aged farmer is learning that I need to always wear my glasses and recovery takes bit longer than it used to. The days of wiping out and getting tangled up in a portable fence need to be numbered!
But here on the farm, August is a season of resilience. Poppy and Lulu, our miniature Pinto therapy horses, remind us of this daily. They greet visitors with gentle nudges, offering calm presence even in the heat. The goats, playful as ever, show us how to keep moving forward with curiosity instead of giving in to frustration. Their energy is a lesson: don’t quit when the days feel long. Joy still bubbles up in unexpected places.
August is also about preparation. Every fence mended and every bale stacked is a promise of safety and nourishment for our animals when winter comes. It’s hard work, but it’s purposeful work. Just like the animal assisted therapy sessions we hold, small steps now build strength, comfort, and healing for the future.
And maybe that’s what August really teaches us, not to give up when things feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a child with autism learning to manage big emotions during a session with our animals, or one of us trudging through chores in the heat, the message is the same: growth takes time, and reward follows effort.
So don’t quit—it’s just August. Cooler days are coming, and the seeds we’re tending, on the land, in our herd, and in the hearts of those who visit—are growing into something beautiful.
Thanks to all of our goat hikers this summer! We have loved meeting so many new people and seeing our long time customers and friends of the farm. We realize the goat hikes sell out fast and we will add more to the fall calendar! Join us October 18 for a beginner beekeeping class too!
Oh! I can’t forget to mention Laurence was born on August 11. He is our first ever August goat baby. He is already chubby and bouncy at just two weeks old.