Weathering Winter Months on the Farm

By Ron Eichner

Hi folks! We are coming into the fourth season of the year, and it can be chilly, as the winters generally are. Farm life slows down this time of year, but we have plenty of special days to look forward to as we pass the long winter, like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, and Valentine’s Day.

This three-month period of winter on the farm is a time when farm fields are idle and there’s limited outdoor farm activities. However, most farms are focused on tractor and equipment repair, normal maintenance of tractors, equipment, and farm shows. Preparing seed orders for flowers, vegetables, pruning fruit trees in the orchards are also on the list of things to do. We also work on farm accounting for year-end tax preparation along with reviewing the spreadsheets detailing farm expenses and sales.

Many people start the new year with resolutions and renewed goals. On average, less than 9% follow through on them, falling into old habits as their enthusiasm wanes. Set yourself up for success by making your resolutions realistic and creating actions steps. You can even make temporary changes to see if they work for your life. Join in with others for “Dry January,” a campaign encouraging a break from alcohol. Or go meat-free for “Veganuary,” a global campaign to promote and try veganism. After a week or two most people are itching for a drink, and some are asking, “Where’s the beef?” But at least you tried!

If your resolution is to eat healthier, we can help with that. We focus on providing healthy, local, nutritious food for the community, including farm-fresh eggs, local lean meats, and produce. I believe that simple changes can have huge benefits. One habit I believe in is to start the day with a good source of protein, like the incredible edible, nutritional eggs. Protein sets the brain up for day-long benefits. 

Secondly, minerals have important benefits that help harmonize your body and are essential by God’s design. Many people, livestock, and poultry are lacking a balance of minerals. The best way to get essential minerals is by consuming healthy, fresh food. Calcium can be found in milk and leafy greens. You can get iron from red meats, beans, eggs, nuts, and seeds.

You’ll find plenty of “hacks” online with different health benefits. Have you heard of the viral “pink salt drink?” It contains four ingredients: Himalayan pink salt, honey, lemon, and apple cider vinegar. Those who swear by it claim that it promotes weight loss, boosts metabolism, and detoxes the body. The verdict is still out, but the ingredients are safe and natural. Stop by our farm market, and I can give you the recipe for the four items. Always check with your doctor when making changes to your diet.

Our farm family wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Our goal is to support our community throughout the year, with the hope that our community will support our farm in return. We are nestled in a valley, and our farm market and greenhouses are open seven days a week. We welcome you all to come and visit Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses at 285 Richard Road in Wexford to experience farm fresh and discover “the rest of the story.”