Winter on the Farm

     The cold months can sometimes seem dull on the farm.  Bright sunny fields of fruits and flowers are replaced, instead, with frozen landscapes, seemingly lifeless.  While winter is a stark contrast to the fast paced summer season, exploding with new growth each day, it is far from a dead time.  Life in the forests and fields is active.  Winter walks on the farm, especially the forest, can be some of the most enchanting experiences.  There is a special energy on a winter day that can't really be compared to anything else.  The cold air nips at your face and hands, sounds seem more clear, smells are almost nonexistent.   Visually the forest is completely transformed.  Trees become stately dark statues, cutting the landscape into silvery white slivers of snow covered ground; which in reflecting the small amount of sunlight becomes brighter than the gray January sky.  Ice freezes and thaws in a rhythmic dance across the tops of ponds.  Streams of spring water provide warm havens for fish and turtles to eat and to bask on the sunniest days.  One of the coolest effects of having a little snow on the ground is that animal tracks can be observed and often identified by amateur naturalists.  Following tracks and observing their sheer numbers gives proofs that all sorts of creatures are active in the winter, and helps us to learn about their habitats and needs.  In actuality wintertime on the farm is a time full of life force, it simply takes a keen eye and inquisitive mind to discover it!  We invite you to break your winter doldrums with a walk on our nature trails, and a visit to our store for our wintertime Saturday cooking demos in a laid back winter fashion.  This week we'll be giving "cook & freeze" demos with Jamie, our resident food-preservationist! We'd love to see you!