Jerusalem Ridge Farms

I know that anyone who reads these offerings probably gets tired of hearing how busy I stay, but it's an outlet for me to talk about it.  Please don't think I'm looking for sympathy - my overloaded schedule is of my own doing and I blame no one but myself.

I had the opportunity to speak to the Purchase Area Goat Association Tuesday evening (Nov. 28.)  Being a transplanted West Kentuckian, it's always good to get back to the area and see how much things have changed.  It's also a treat to visit with my friends down there, especially KGPA president Shawn Harper, who also heads PAGA.  Shawn, with the able assistance of Charles and Regina Deering, have obtained a herd of Katahdin hair sheep for me so this weekend I become a shepherd as well as a goatherd.

I came back Wednesday afternoon in time for mid-week services at church.  While having our customary Wednesday pizza at my mom's house before services, son-in-law Nick informed me that we had two new kids.  After church, I trudged down with a flashlight to check out the new correct doe and paint buck that had been born that afternoon.  That's the second pair of twins this week and I fear for their safety due to the fickle weather we've been experiencing.  It's been in the 60's every day since Thanksgiving but this morning a front blew in bringing a biting wind and considerable rain.  The temperature's due to drop 30 degrees or so.  All I can do is trust the two does that kidded to look after their new charges.  Both are experienced, so they should be able to manage things.  Thankfully, I'll have some time this weekend to actually spend on the farm so I can keep an eye on things, catch up on chores and get ready for my new sheep!

Yesterday started early and ended late.  I rolled out for Louisville and the Kentucky Farm Bureau annual meeting about 5:45 AM and had the KGPA booth set up at the trade show by 7:30.  I spent the rest of the day entertaining visitors and delivering the message of the day on the benefits companion grazing - "Every cattle operation in Kentucky should also maintain a goat herd."

University of Kentucky ag economist Lee Meyer helped the cause during his presentation by talking about the growth of the goat industry in the Commonwealth and predicting continued solid markets an good prices for meat goats.  Meyer also noted that goats are now the second most popular livestock breed in the state in terms of farms that incorporate them.  Eventually all the cattle folks will get the message about how much goats can improve both their pastures and their bottom line.

Around 4:30 it was time to strike the exhibit and head out for the Tri-County Goat Association in Elizabethtown which started at 7:00.  They had a great potluck and a good turnout for the meeting.  I kept my remarks short (to everyone's suprise and delight) so that Dr. Mike Keller could have more time to field questions from the group.

Back in the working world as I glance out the office window a flag on a neighboring building is whipping in the strong wind and it has just begun to flurry.  I guess winter's here.  One thing I really love about Kentucky is that we do have four distinct seasons.  Even so, it was kinda neat mowing hay in my shirtsleeves the day after Thanksgiving!

More to come.  I'll try to make my next post a little more pensive and reflective and not quite so whiney!

God Bless,
Ray