We have 72 hectares on the farm that turns grass into protein for families. We named each paddock after a state in America … with the occasional city judging by circumstantial foliage ( see also Detroit, the shittiest paddock that is now the best paddock thanks to mob grazing ).
Nebraska is a north facing paddock that was once a corn field. When we bought the farm, corn was grown and dried ready for harvest just before Zelie was born. Funny side note, that big, beast harvester had a flat on the early morn of harvest so we watched as they called the tire changers in. The harvest wasn’t ours. It went the way of the renting farmer.
After the harvest was done, we worked the field with cattle to create better pasture for cattle.
The herd did a great job. Also, Brent seeded alfalfa. Great for drought. Great for flavor.
As the field transitioned, we caught some random weeds that the kids collected. That was a fun year for sunflowers.
Then the pasture started getting serious. New grasses volunteering amongst the alfalfa.
Then we decided to run chickens. Not many feed fresh alfalfa to their chickens. Too expensive. … but we have cows, so it worked out.
And chickens LOVE alfalfa leaves. When they are first introduced, they go right for the leaves above everything they have available on the buffet.
Our Nebraska started with a cornfield in France. Now, it feeds both cows and chickens. The pasture is so much more resilient because of the work the animals have done.
