A Quick Pause
October 2025
Our last newsletter began with a little bit of a false alarm; summer got a second wind and the breath of fall that we had was quickly replaced by sunny days in the 80s. But this week brought the first frost of the year, and the end of November looms larger in our minds.
What’s been happening?
After the rush of summer, the warm days in September brought us a little bit of a lull in the intensity of our projects. This often happens in the fall when the semester at Luther Seminary starts again, but it felt like we needed a rest and a recharge, so not a lot of work to report.
The sheep and goats were moved onto their last buckthorn patch for the season. Buckthorn keeps its leaves longer than just about anything else in Minnesota, so we’re hoping to keep them grazing as long into the fall as possible.
I finished wiring in the outlet for our last kitchen cabinet, which means that all that’s left for the kitchen renovation is the trim. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re grateful to have it done before winter.
What’s ahead?
With a baby on the way, one of our priorities this year is getting a backup generator so that we don’t have to worry about heat or water in the middle of winter. Thankfully that’s work that we’re contracting out, and it should be done by the end of October.
Along the same lines, we’ve been exploring adding a wood stove to our porch, both so that I can continue to use it as an office, but also so Herbert has another space to run around when it’s cold and snowy outside.
If we get another few frosts, it will probably mean that it’s time to cut the peonies back and to do our final mowing of the year. With the late summer, we may hold off until November, but if the weather changes that will be an October project too.
What’s on our minds?
With the due date just about seven weeks away, we’re working hard to balance the needs of the farm, the need to prep the house, the need to work two full time jobs and the need to maintain our health and peace of mind. It’s a delicate balance, but so far, we’re hanging in there. To ease the burden, we’re going to be having some work days on the farm, and we’ll be reaching out to many of you readers for assistance. A briefer newsletter this month, but thanks so much for reading and for all the ways that you support us!
Your contrary farmers,
Julie, Kristofer and Herbert (and Willmar the Labrador, too)