“Farm math” is a way of saying “I just might have a few more animals than I intended” or an explanation of how you started off with a few chickens and now have , fifty plus hens. I promise if you dip your toe into the shallow end of the farmlife pool, you too may find yourself treading water in the deep end and wondering how you got there.
In 2016 I headed off to buy two baby goats and came back with a herd of six, the two babies and four adult goats. Since then we have added chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, donkeys, pigs and sheep. Oh and, I can’t forget to mention our two livestock guardian dogs and three barn cats. It has been an adventure and I have truly enjoyed raising each species , however we have chosen to downsize a bit and have rehomed the geese and are looking to do the same with the pigs. There are times when you just have to ask yourself, “Am I in a little over my head”?
Just because I can do something, doesn’t always mean that I should. Asking yourself some hard questions is a good idea from time to time. Do I still enjoy what I am doing? Is it sustainable ? Is it taking up more time and resources than I have to spend? It is a great idea to stop once in awhile and evaluate if changes should be made. In the past I have had a hard time with making those decisions. I do not enjoy feeling as if I can not accomplish something or acknowledging anything that resembles failure. I tend to keep pushing forward, I don’t like giving up. However, I am beginning to understand that admitting something might need to change or be eliminated to make room for healthy growth in a different or new direction.
So, after much thought I am subtracting a bit in some areas so I can enjoy the rewards of new additions in other areas . This week our joy was multiplied with the birth of these two adorable lambs: Mercy and Samuel. It looks as if the power of “Farm Math” can still be counted on to bring forth the moments we enjoy sharing with all of you.
The Smith Farmhouse 