It is officially December on the farm. Enter the arrival of wintry weather here in Minnesota. Throw in the windchill, and we officially are in the negative when it comes to extreme cold.
On our farm, we take care of the majority of our livestock chores at 5 a.m. While it can be cold, we bundle up with insulated bibs, hats, mittens and swap our rubber boots out for winter ones. If I know I will be outside for a while, my trick is to place hand warmers in the toes of my boots. Warm toes are my non-negotiable during the winter!
I must admit, despite the cold, there is something so peaceful about a dark morning and the crisp air along with a crystal-clear sky full of twinkling stars and your head lamp illuminating your path to the barn. It really is slightly magical – even when it is work.
All our livestock from the horse to the sheep and cattle have heaters in their water tanks to help ensure their water does not freeze in the cold temperatures. We also provide salt licks for the cattle and sheep to encourage them to drink water throughout the winter. Proper hydration during the colder months is just as crucial as the summer. Lots of quality hay and feed help keep them warm throughout the Minnesota winter.
We are also busy preparing for lambing during the winter. We lamb in February, so we ensure we are stocked with extra towels, bottles, heat lamps and plenty of bedding. Pens are cleaned, rearranged, and we start the countdown for when our first lambs will arrive. Even though the barn is not heated, once you put thirty sheep in there for lambing plus their babies, it stays warm!
We also use the winter months to prepare for the next crop season. We make our traditional row-crop seed decisions for corn and soybeans, plus plan out all our flower seeds, plug orders and pumpkin seed orders for our flower subscriptions and pumpkin wagon. The winter months really cover planning and preparation from the business side of the farm operation.
While the chilly winter months challenge us and our livestock, they also provide moments of reflection and preparation for the busy spring and summer months ahead. Whether it is tending to animals in the crisp morning air, preparing for lambing, or planning the next season’s crops and flowers, these winter days remind us that farming is more than planting and harvest—it truly is a year-round commitment.Â
Sara is a 5th-generation farmer on a diversified farm operation, Maple Wood Farms, alongside her husband and two children. They raise corn, soybeans, hay, beef, Suffolk sheep, honey bees, cut flowers, and pumpkins! They sell many of their products directly to consumers through their website, farmers markets, and a roadside stand!
