Farm Life

The Simple Joys of Farm Life

Life on the farm isn’t always picture-perfect, but it sure is full of purpose. My husband and I have a small farm, and it seems that the chores are never-ending, and nature always has the final say. But there’s a rhythm to it—a grounded, steady kind of peace that you don’t find in the hustle of the suburbs or town living.

I love that we became donkey parents. They are entirely different from other equines. They have the funniest personalities. We give them toys to play with, and we find them all over the lots. They greet us when we come home and go out in the yard. Their brays are different based on the situation. Did you know donkeys sing? Yep! It is a joy being a donkey mom.

Waking Up with the Roosters

There is something about the roosters crowing to let us know it’s time to rise and shine. Even if you shine a flashlight in their direction, they will start crowing. LOL

About 6 weeks ago, I decided to buy 17 bitties (that’s chicks if you’re not familiar with the word). My husband grumbled about it at first, but now he loves those little feathered babies. We have a small pen setup in our chicken house for either broody hens or new chicks. My husband goes out every morning before daylight and opens the bitty pin and makes a quick check to make sure everyone made it through the night safe and sound. As soon as he shines the flashlight in the direction of the roost, the roosters start crowing.

I got the 17 chicks because we have older chickens, some of whom aren’t laying anymore. And in a few more weeks, they all should be laying eggs. 🙌

Hands in the Dirt, Heart in the Work

Farm life can be humbling. One minute, your garden’s bursting with tomatoes and squash, the next, a surprise frost or a fat rogue raccoon takes out all of the corn planted. LOL But even in the setbacks, there’s something beautiful about working with your hands—planting, growing, harvesting. You learn patience, resilience, and gratitude with every season.

There’s no instant gratification here, but there is satisfaction. Nothing beats the taste of a meal you’ve raised and grown yourself—eggs from your hens, herbs from your own patch of dirt, fresh produce pulled right from the garden beds.

Lessons from the Land

Farm life has a way of teaching life lessons without saying a word. You learn to go with the flow, to expect the unexpected, and to celebrate small victories. You learn how to work hard and rest well. You come to appreciate things like rainstorms, compost, and that one stubborn chicken who insists on laying eggs outside the chicken house.

More than anything, you learn to slow down. Life doesn’t need to be lived at full speed. On the farm, the little things—morning light through the barn slats, a curious donkey, the sound of the wind in the trees—feel big.

Why We Keep at It

People sometimes ask why we choose this life, especially when it would be so much easier to live in town. The truth is, we don’t just choose it—we feel it. It’s in our bones. It’s in the call of the whippoorwill at dusk, in the smell of fresh cut grasses, in the soft cluck of hens and the satisfaction of a day’s honest work.

Farm life connects us—to the land, to our food, and to one another. It keeps us grounded, grateful, and in tune with the seasons.