Spring Migration

As large fans of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac it is difficult not to put ourselves into his shoes.  He writes detailed descriptions of each month as they arrive and overtake his Wisconsin farm.  April has arrived and overtaken us with the abundance of wildlife that surrounds us on our new farm.  We view are farm not only as a place to produce vegetables but as part of a larger landscape that during these early spring months is fully alive.  Abe had the opportunity to experience his first symphony of Western Chorus Frogs accompanied by a smaller number of Wood Frogs.  These sounds fill the evening giving way to the Red-Wing Blackbirds that dominate the morning and afternoon hours.  All of these sounds intermingled with countless other spring sounds make us stop, smile and say to ourselves, spring has arrived.  And so have we.

Our farm is located across the street from the USFWS Litchfield headquarters.  Each April they host a habitat day.  We ventured over to meet our new neighbors and take part in the festivities.  Abe made a blue bird house and received a bat house too!  The MN Raptor Center was present with live birds as well.  This will be a great event to revisit each April, and we are fortunate to have the additional tract of habitat adjacent to our farm.

Over an inch of rain fell on the farm overnight, adding to the already saturated fields.  This wet, cool weather reminds us of the patience needed to farm.  We are unable to get in the fields as of yet, but are busy preparing our pack shed, researching deer fencing, working in the greenhouse and getting our equipment ready for the fields.