Every January, I find myself thinking about growth—not just for the farm, but for me too. I’ll admit, the idea of “growth” can feel a bit daunting these days. When you’ve been farming as long as I have, every new project comes with a little voice in the back of your head asking, Can I keep up? Do I have the energy for this? But then I think about that old saying: If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. It’s true in farming, and it’s true in life. Growth keeps things moving—even if sometimes I feel like I need an extra coffee (or a miracle) to keep up with it.
This year, the goal is to grow the flock—but to do it in a way that doesn’t add hours to the daily grind of chores. To help make that happen, we’ve invested in a used feed mixer trailer. This new setup will let us feed the sheep outside using fenceline feeders. Instead of the usual routine of hauling hay by hand (which I won’t miss one bit), the mixer will distribute the feed straight into the feeders as it’s pulled behind the tractor. It’s a big change, but one that will make feeding faster and easier—a win for efficiency and my sanity.
And here’s the part that really excites me: we’ve just rented a new 12-acre farm nearby! Eight of those acres will be planted with hay, adding significantly to our feed production. With more hay, we can comfortably support more ewes. Of course, more hay also means more work, but there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a plan take shape—one that makes the farm a little more self-sufficient and sustainable.
What about you? Do you have big plans or goals for 2025? Maybe something you’ve been wanting to tackle for a while? Growth can feel overwhelming sometimes, but I’ve learned that the best things in life usually come with a bit of effort, a bit of sweat, and maybe a few moments of doubt. Those moments, as hard as they are, are always worth it when you look back and see how far you’ve come.
So here’s to 2025—a year of growth, new challenges, and plenty of hay (and hopefully no more coffee-fueled debates with myself). As always, I’m grateful to have you along for the journey.
Farmer Rod
Growing the Flock Without Losing My Mind—Is It Possible?
