Kelley Century Ranch

06/19/2026

No Farm Friday post today. Don't worry we'll BEE back next week and you won't want to miss it!

06/12/2026

Farm Friday (Note Photos have now been posted)

It's been a hard week on the farm. A predator came and wiped out our entire chicken flock! The first night we lost 1, our rooster, and we worked hard that day reinforcing the run with heavy woven wire in hopes of protecting them. It didn't help. That second night they took out all but 3. We set traps and came out after dark on the 3rd night, but it was too late. They had killed the last 3. We came out to find a raccoon in the trap and two skunks in the run. The next morning there was another raccoon in the trap. I told Jacob I was on a mission to take out every raccoon in the county! The skunks too, of course, but at least they eat the chickens. Raccoons kill for sport. Anyone who tells me that they should be relocated has never stood over the bodies of 18 chickens. Some that I have had for years. I have worked hard to get the genetic traits I wanted in my flock and they are gone, all of them.

The chickens have taken up a lot of our time this week, but we've also finished up a few projects like the water system in the garden. That sounds simple enough, but it involves a great deal of splicing soaker hoses, regular hoses, timers, pressure, and a whole system. It's also fair week so we have been there each day since Wednesday. We are still there today so stop by and see us!

We moved the ducks this week right before the predator issue. They are in the barnyard with our sheep. They have a separate area that is small enough that only they can access, which has their water and feed. So far we haven't had any issues and my hope is that the ram will offer them a bit of extra protection.

The garden is growing well. Jacob spent a few hours in the hay field helping our neighbor get his field in before the rain.

Even in the hard times this is still the most beautiful life.

Have a great weekend. Come see us at the fair!

06/06/2026

Farm Friday. Welcome to June! I missed last week as we were on a long roadtrip that ended with a concert at the lake watching our nephew. We are right in the throws of growing season. Everything is growing at a rapid rate. None more so than the grass in the yard.

The garden is looking beautiful. After battling the soil the last few years we are finally on track for a great garden season. You can feel and smell just how healthy the dirt is. If you're a gardener you totally understand that.

Jacob spent a couple days in the hay field helping our neighbor and we got our hay baled up. We didn't get as much as we had hoped, but it will be enough.

Jacob's mom came over and we went fishing in the pond one day. We had a great time. We caught two nice largemouth bass along with several catfish and perch.

Jacob spent a day cleaning up junk that tends to build up around a homestead, especially our equipment business. The load was more than a tad bit sketchy, and I am thankful that we could take the backroads all the way to the scrap yard.

We've been making a little progress on a few projects around here such as getting the soaker hoses down in the garden and on a timer as well as larger feed and water solutions for our small animals. This will make it easier if we should need to be gone a few days.

We had another set of baby quail hatch. I believe that will be our last hatching for awhile. Speaking of birds, the ducks are getting so big. They are starting to quack and its my new favorite thing on the farm.

The days are longer and there's more time for fun! I hope you are gearing up for a fantastic summer.

Living our best life! ❤️

06/03/2026

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar will save em all!
And give em a madigan squeeze for good measure!

06/01/2026

When you have cows

05/22/2026

This week on the farm.

Our oldest son and his girlfriend were home this weekend. It was wonderful having them here!

The garden is coming along. Jacob used the tractor to fill up my last raised bed. I finished getting things planted and straw down. I still need to get the watering system in place.

We had baby quail hatch! I think it's been about a year since we hatched out quail. I always forget just how tiny they are!

We attended the Chamber connect and the Cattlemen's Association dinner where we renewed our BQA, Beef Quality Assurance, Certificates. They are good for 3 years. Ours weren't yet expired, but it's always good to keep up with training.

I have something that has really been on my heart lately. We are often asked how we do this? How we gave up our careers to live this life. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube and TikTok becuase I'm going to have more on this The truth is life is hard. You have to pick your hard. Going to work each day is hard. Working in an environment that feels like a constant game of Survivor is hard. Spending 8-12+ hours away from your family only to be too exhausted to actually spend time with them is hard. It's a trade. Do you like living in a big house, driving nice cars and having a car payment, having the newest cell phone, expensive clothes, shoes, a million subscription services. Could you give it all up? Could you live in a tiny house, drive old vehicles, keep the same phone and shoes for over 5 years, eat at home, unsubscribe Netflix, Disney, Hulu.. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. That's okay! If those things are important to you, great! We traded it. All of it for peace.

We each have a line we can't cross. Know yours. Mine is running water, and internet. Sure there are lots of homesteads that don't have those. Each item you want from your old life is hours. The more luxury you want, the more you have to work. The more peace you want, the more you give up other things. It's all a choice. The only right and wrong way is determined by you.

You are fully in control of your life. You can choose. You can choose to leave, to stay, but however you spend your days, your life.. it is a choice. Whatever you do, live your best life!

05/20/2026

One of my favorite soft shirts has developed too many holes for continued wear. I already have too many "work shirts" in my tiny house closet so I spent this morning turning it into new cleaning cloths.

Anyone else still do this?

05/20/2026

05/15/2026

Farm Friday. This week we experienced a great loss on the farm. Our dog Freckles, age 15, passed peacefully in her soft bed. Freckles was my moms dog before she passed and came to live with us a little over 10 years ago. When we moved to the farm 3 years ago it was like she was a puppy all over again. She loved farm life. She was such a sweet girl and will forever be missed.

Jacob worked in the field helping our neighbor with hay this week. Hay season is always hard work, yet most people around here look forward to it. It's a feeling I can't really explain. Hard work, nostalgia, a sense of relief that the livestock will have food in the winter. Farmers may complain about many things, but rarely will you find one complaining about putting up hay.

I got the garden put in. I have a couple more things to plant, but for the most part it's in and ready to grow. Planting the garden, for me, is a lot like putting Christmas decorations up. I don't necessarily enjoy the process, but once it's done the whole season is glorious!

We were able to get a replacement car for Connor after his caught fire last month. Him and Jess are coming down for the weekend and I can't wait to see them!

We are looking to rehome a few roosters. It's funny how we have never purposely gotten a rooster and yet there's always some to be had.

Life moves with seasons. I don't think I noticed them as much before the farm, but there are always seasons. Not just spring, summer, fall and winter, but seasons of little feet, diapers, older children and milestones. Seasons of life, love and loss. Seasons of rain and sunshine. They are all beautiful in their own way. Some seasons are hard, some you plant and some you harvest. I miss so much the season where my children were little and I was their whole world, but I am completely in love with this season of life. Sure, it's hard. This week has been hard, but what a beautiful life we get to live. I'm so thankful to God for all these wonderful life seasons.

Whatever you do today. However you spend your days. Live your best life!

05/11/2026

Anyone else's Life 360 currently looking like this??