"The Crew" Personal Page by RoscoeGregg

Dixie is the boss of the farm. She was a dog that fell off someones' truck and was slated to walk the green mile. She went blotto when she saw Barbara at the dog pound. She was an adult so no body wanted her. After Barbara and I looked at all the dogs we kept coming back to her. She is the best addition to the crew we have had.

She takes a very protective ownership role of all the other animals on the farm. Especially the chickens. When new chicks arrive she will spend hours watching them. She is quick to alert us if one is poorly.She will not rest each night until she does a sweep of the coop area with us.

Earlier this year a man drove onto the farm and scooped her up. We did not realize that he had stolen her until he was too far away to stop. She was gone for 3 days till the county sheriff found her about 9 miles away. From her nose you could tell that she had dug out from where she had been penned up. She had blistered and very worn pads and was so exhausted from traveling that she slept for 3 days straight. (very unusual for her). Need less to say we are very glad to have her home.

She is a wonder dog.

Major and I After Harvesting Peaches

Major was given to us after his last and 3rd owner moved to China on a medical mission. He had been raised in apartments and with long periods of alone time.

He took some time to adjust to farm life. For the first 2 weeks he would not go outside until you clipped on a leash. So we would clip him on step through the door and then unclip him. He has taken some time to feel confident that we are not going send him away. He loves to run around at top speed.

He is Dixie's buddy he is goofy, kind and tenderhearted. He likes being number2.

We have a large Coyote population so we need Dixie and Major to protect each other, Coyotes will take down a lone dog but will leave a pair alone. When Major hears that Dixie is alarmed he bolts into action and races to her side. It allows us us to relax after dark when the coyotes are active.

Major is also the resident uncle for the cats. He likes to sniff and sleep with them. When kids visit he is infinitely patient and calm. He is like a kind uncle to for the farm.

Resting up for a night patrol

This guys official name is Aramis. He arrived with his brothers Porthos and Athos, after being rescued by Dixie from certain starvation in an old culvert. Some idiot must have "set them free" as so often happens in the rural parts of the U.S.

His brothers live a slothful life but he earns his keep. Until he showed up we were over run with rodents. They were in our shoes, cabinets, electrical fittings, vehicles, you name it. He sets out each evening and begins his patrol of the farm. He is vigilant and effective. For him this rodent hunting is serious business. No one ever told us how important a good cat can be on a farm.

I live song birds and was very glad to see that he shows no interest in them. I know that cats an devastate song bird populations. So as long as we have an understanding about the birds this could be a long and beautiful friendship.

A Sweeter Animal Has Never Been Seen

We bought this jersey cow from a neighbor. She is so kind and gentle. She has produced a beautiful calf and provides the farm with wonderful milk, cream and cheese.
She cannot moo so when her calf came a friend named her calf Moo. Teresa is a very affectionate and caring mother. I know that many people say that animals have no emotion. After seeing Teresa and Moo together I just cannot believe that is true.

Teresa Contracted a protozoa for which there is no cure and succumbed to it this last summer. We miss he gentle and sweet ways.

The Gypsy Chicks In the Wagon

There is always about 15 to 20 chickens on the farm. We find them to be hard working and productive. They are all old breeds so there is a fair amount of interesting variation.

They work in conjunction with the cattle to fertilize the pasture and keep the flys to a minimum. They roost on a movable coop mounted on an old hay wagon. We move this around to keep the chickens on fresh ground (like a gypsy wagon)

In exchange for secure housing, supplemental grain, clean fresh water, we receive a supply of some very fine eggs and a lot of entertainment.

Some of Our Organic Wheat Waiting to be Threshed

We cultivate a wide variety of food crops. These are the real productive part of the farm. They Range from some grains and beans to general veg.

These farm friends produce income through a CSA and the local farmers' market.

Best of all it provides us with high quality high quantity food. It is amazing how much food you can grow on a small place.