Blue Ox Farm

10/19/2023

06/02/2023

It was so lovely to have a crew of women out to the farm yesterday to talk about conservation and supporting each other in the region. Thanks to Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WIWIC) for asking us to host and for coordinating the event. We hope to see you all “around the neighborhood!”

Thank you, Lauren Langworthy at Blue Ox Farm for leading us on a tour of your grazing operation and showing us this gorgeous view of Dunn County!

05/16/2023

Here comes trouble 🥰

05/14/2023

It’s a complicated day.
It’s a quiet day.
It’s a beautiful day.

05/12/2023

Don’t let the Insta feed fool you - farming is hard work and there are days when things go very wrong.

Today, I went out for the morning check to find a ewe in serious need of care for a prolapse (if that’s an unfamiliar term, I do NOT advise the squeamish to Google it).

Several hours later, I’d given the ewe and lamb the best chances I could and was showering to get to work (very late). I’m lucky to work for an organization with understanding colleagues… and for thousands of farmers who face similar (and often bigger) challenges. When I came home at the end of the day, everyone seems to be on a good healthy trajectory. Then it’s time for evening chores and checks and turning the attention toward the family and household.

While this story has a good ending (so far), not all of the stories do. While you scroll, know that you’re usually not seeing the mess, pain, frustration, and complication of life… but it’s still happening behind the scenes.

05/08/2023

This fresh little one joined the flock this morning. He’s being carried in our lamb “briefcase” to an area where he can bond with Mom and we can watch them for a day to make sure all is well.

Then, they will join a small “family pen” to practice finding each other in a small crowd before rejoining the main flock.

While this management system takes a little more work, we like being able to see how each family unit progresses (and intervene, if needed). We use the notes taken during this time as we prepare for breeding and market decisions in the following years.

05/03/2023

When your farmers aren’t farming, they’re busy trying to make the world a better place through other means.

Last week, Lauren was in Omaha at a Rural Policy Summit for Wisconsin Farmers Union with leaders from rural areas across the country. While each of our homes have unique challenges and opportunities, we are largely impacted by the same issues and public policies. Of course we’re so we found ways to collaborate and strengthen each other’s messages and policy priorities. Look forward to good coming out of this amazing group of dedicated people!

05/02/2023

When your farmers aren’t farming, they’re trying to make the world a better place in other ways.

Caleb is on the board for Farmer to Farmer - a nonprofit solidarity organization supporting the businesses of small coffee farmers and cooperatives and investing in educational opportunities for their families. These photos were from Saturday’s member meeting and a panel exploring the concepts of farmer solidarity.

Learn more about the organization and consider a monthly coffee subscription mailed to your door (yum!)… because farmers everywhere deserve to be paid equitably for their labors and products.
❤️☕️🧑🏾‍🌾🧑🏻‍🌾☕️❤️

04/22/2023

If this isn’t the picture of a peaceful spring Sunday, then I don’t know what would be.
Cuddle piles are common in the “family pen” where lambs practice finding their mothers in a small crowd before re-entering the big flock on pasture.

04/21/2023

That face when… you wake up from a nap on Mom… only to learn that it’s still snowing at the end of April! We hope you all have cozy plans with loved ones for the weekend!

04/20/2023

Sometimes - especially when there is cold and windy weather - lambs who are struggling a little will get a “starter jacket.” This keeps them warm and thriving - even if the fashion sense is debatable.

04/19/2023

This confident little one was excited to get his portrait taken. In a wild turn of events, we had 14 ewes lamb in a 3-day period while snow fell and temps plummeted. Luckily, these animals are quite hardy once they have started to figure out their way in the world. They’ve graduated to the “family pen” in the high tunnel and will soon make the big move outside!