December 2010: Update from Asgaard Farm
Happy Holidays!
Winter has arrived and our daily routines have eased considerably. Last Saturday evening marked the seasons final milking. The goats are all about two months pregnant and will appreciate the rest as much as Rhonda will relish her winter hiatus from the creamery. The milking parlor is quiet – a drastic change from the almost deafening sounds of the vacuum pipelines being sanitized and cleaned like clockwork twice each day. It feels as though the farm itself is stepping on the brake.
The animals are slowing down, too. The goats are content lounging in their barn, protected from the wind as they adjust to their new schedule – or lack thereof. The cows are tucked in the trees staying out of the snow, coming out only for hay and water. All summer long, the hens stayed outside all day and we fed them in the grass. Last week, they went on a hunger strike until we finally acceded and moved their feeders inside the coop, along with a heat lamp, for good measure. Our horse, Freya, is being introduced to her new box stall so we can tuck her in each night. So far, she’s happy to spend some time in there, but seems to enjoy sashaying through the new fallen snow.
The last farmers market was this past weekend in Lake Placid but we'll continue to host our open farm hours. Though our fresh cheese selection is finite, our aged cheeses - Feta and Tomme - are almost ready to sell. The ten hogs we brought to the butcher last month are (astonishingly) nearly sold out, but we’re expecting our first beef and chevon back from the butcher any day now. So, just as our daily routine has changed, so have our products. We’ll be open here at the farm on Dec 23 and 30 and we always love visitors.
It’s easy to be lulled into a winter nap, but we’re too busy planning the upcoming season, which will start with a bang upon the arrival of the first kid expected on February 27. We’ll just have to put the pedal to the metal from there.
For now, wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
David & Rhonda