I know that we're not alone in being glad to see the end of 2020. It has definitely been a year of challenges in many ways. Yet, for all of the trials that the the year brought us, we have had many times to ponder just how lucky we are and the peace that country life has brought into our lives.
The year 2020 started with a bang, literally, as we awoke January 11 to over 40 trees downed around the house as a result of an ice storm. Power was off and thanks to our generator we were able to keep the water running and some hydro going. The clean up of this mess continued through to March as more damaged and diseased trees needed to be removed throughout the cleanup process. With the help of our Amish neighbours the fallen poplar trees were removed to help fire their maple syrup operations. We were also able to stockpile a couple years worth of firewood for our own use. We managed to do a bit of our own maple syrup considering we lost some of our best maple trees in the storm. Let's not forget that I was still recovering from double knee replacement surgery at this time which put more of the workload on Paul.
With some early warm weather we were able to repair damaged fencing around the property and create a new pasture area at the rear of the property for the sheep. We levelled the area and spread pasture grass seed to the new area as well as renovating the side pasture. Of course it snowed at the beginning of May before we were able to seed. Then we seeded and it got extremely warm and dry. Go figure! We sprinkled hay over all the newly seeded areas and despite everything the pastures took off and provided grass for the sheep all summer and well into the fall.
When the first lockdown was implemented we were very nervous what the implications would be on our farm and our sales. We just had pigs butchered and our freezers were full! To our surprise, business just took off. Usually our busiest time at the farm store is when summer begins and people are heading to the cottage but business took off mid-March. We had no-contact pick up at the store and some deliveries. Sales exceeded other years and by June we had basically sold out of product that would normally last us till September. We met many new customers and saw many return customers eager to support local farmers. In addition to great sales at the store we also saw more online sales and we actually sold out of wool for the first time.
The beginning of the pandemic also coincided with the beginning of lambing season. Easter Sunday morning we welcomed our first lamb and Easter Monday a set of twins was born. Even though we weren't able to celebrate Easter with our family and friends we were able to celebrate new life at the farm. It felt extra special this year. Two more lambs were born in May and, continuing the strange year theme, another lamb, Harper, was born September 8. We were fortunate to be able to send three of the ewe lambs to great farms where they will be used as breeding stock.
We replaced our breeding pigs with a new boar, Ambrose, and two sows, Rosie and Hazel, at the end of 2019. We had our first litter from them at the end of May. We are expecting another litter this March, if all goes well. Ambrose has become a super sweet and sensitive 800 pound pig and the girls are just as wonderful. We have our pig yard divided into two areas to rotate them between. This year we took advantage of that and grew and planted an extra vegetable garden which provided us with an abundance of potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and corn. Obviously this area had been well fertilized!
This year was also for the birds! First of all, we did a meat chicken experiment. We raised three types of chickens - White Rock (the traditional meat bird), Chantecler (a Canadian heritage variety), and Rustic Ranger (a new free range variety). This was to help us decide which breed would be right for us. Of course they all did exceptionally well this year but we were particularly impressed with the Rustic Ranger. We have been experimenting with different cooking methods as each type is a little bit different. We raised turkeys as well this year but, as people were limited in sizes of their get togethers, our large turkeys were not as popular. So instead we had some made into ground turkey which is really great. Sadly, in August, Victoria, our female goose suddenly died and we rehomed Albert. Now we have a beautiful pair of Pomeranian Saddleback geese named Frederick and Agatha. They are much quieter and less threatening! You will probably find them in the pond or following Paul around the farm.
It's already 2021 and we are into our slower time of the farming year. Paul is starting to paint again. I've been catching up on paperwork. We've been experimenting with new recipes and enjoying our home grown food as well as my home brewed beer. Our vegetable seeds have already arrived and soon I will start planting indoors. I think that Kit is starting to become a house cat (he's curled up on my lap right now). We have been getting the goats out into the field for exercise and the sheep are getting used to the winter routine of lazing around, eating hay, and getting ready to have lambs in a few months. Spring will be here soon enough and it will be busy as usual.
Ontario is currently under a stay at home order, another stage of lock down during the pandemic. This year has made us grateful for our life in the country. I recall when we first moved away from the city people were skeptical of our decision. Now those same people our envious of our situation. We have lots of outdoor space, routines that are basically unchanged, lots of opportunity for exercise and access to healthy food without needing to go into crowded stores. Although we don't get to see as many people we have been able to get together outdoors with friends and enjoy a fire or walk. We have made friends with people staying in the country and working from home during this time as well. Vaccines are coming and Paul's mother and brother have already been vaccinated. I am sure this year will bring a whole set of new challenges but, as always, I am sure there will be some good surprises as well!