The calf was due in December, sometime around Christmas Day. So we sequestered Puff in the holding pen and would check on her during the night. Puff, a silver Scottish Highlander, is an old cow, age 14, and because her … Continue reading →
After parking the truck with the Miles Smith Farm logo on the door, I pulled my hood over my head and dashed for the entrance to the fast-food joint, hoping not to be recognized. My preachments about buying locally … Continue reading →
It’s that time of year when farmers dress up as shepherds and present their sheep, goats, and oxen in a living Nativity scene. Well, most farmers don’t, but this one does. This tradition began in the year 1223 after Saint … Continue reading →
The stone walls that line the edges of our property were put here by Miles Smith in the 1850s and ’60s. Constructed with rocks extracted from the fields, Miles moved every boulder and rock with a team of oxen. He … Continue reading →
“What type of cow is that?” asked Jane, a visitor to the farm, pointing to Belle. When I told her Belle is a Milking Short Horn, Jane asked, “And when do you start milking her?” Astonished by the question, I … Continue reading →
It’s fall, which means it’s time to wean the calves. If we planned it right, calves were born in March and April – nine months after conception. We control when the bull is with the cows, so most births are … Continue reading →
After living on the same farm for 45 years, I have accumulated a lot of junk in our old three-story barn. When Miles Smith owned the property in the 1800s, the barn was home to dairy cattle, a few horses, … Continue reading →
We’ve had a frost or two already, which means Halloween is near. My cattle and pigs love Halloween, and it’s not because they dress up like goblins and beg for candy. It’s the day after Halloween that they love. That’s … Continue reading →
We have over 60 cattle on our farm in Loudon and recently decided to sell some of our Scottish Highlander cows and calves. As in New Hampshire, there’s an effort on Martha’s Vineyard to promote agriculture and preserve open space … Continue reading →
My 50-year high school reunion is approaching. On Sept. 21 a bunch of 67 & 68-year-olds will gather at a country club roughly in the vicinity of Lawrence High School in New Jersey. It’ll be the first reunion I’ve attended, … Continue reading →
