High Grove Farm Journal – Sept. 2022

Oct 06, 2022 (Westby, WI)

By Jessica Rogers

As I’ve worked around the farm and in the house this week, our ridge top views have changed dramatically! I’ve watched the trees on the hills that surround Soldiers Grove, Wis. change from a depleted green to all the splendors and jewel tone colors of autumn.

It is looking very beautiful here. If you haven’t made a trip to the local orchards of Gays Mills – just a ridge top or two over from our farm – it is the perfect time to catch the colors and get some apples. The drive alone is worth it.

We are now starting morning chores while it is still dark out, and the air has that certain crisp feeling to it. The squirrels have been busier than ever hiding hickory nuts in my yard, we’re seeing more birds in the trees, crows and pigeons are gathering in larger groups, the grasshoppers have moved from the fields into my yard looking for more food and a big buck walked through the yard yesterday morning. Drew thought he even saw a bobcat yesterday as he was hauling manure! Things seem to be all stirred up since we chopped corn off some of our fields.

Our faithful tractor needed a new radiator, so Drew put a new one on quick before chores tonight.

Getting all that corn chopped each year is always a big job and a very busy couple of days on our farm. The remaining standing corn in our fields will go into our silo as high-moisture corn to feed our cows. Drew planted the cover crops in all the open cornfields that had just been harvested, which will be some of the first green after a long bleak winter.

This last month has been full of harvesting crops and preparing for the colder months. I’ve been canning and freezing garden goodies for two months now and the pantry is getting nice and full. We’ve been cutting more firewood when we get the chance, and we have most of our corn made into corn silage. My gardens are still growing plenty of vegetables, but I think the cold weather this weekend will put a stop to that. (Hopefully the yard will take the hint and slow down growing as well!)

Apples from the old tree in our yard, it might be one of my favorite things on this farm!

The cows’ pastures certainly have slowed down from a wonderful spring and summer full of perfect growing conditions, but we still have some established forage for the girls to graze and sleep in.

We hope you are able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and colors of fall! Oh, and maybe stop in at the Westby Creamery Cheese store on your way. 😉

Thanks for stopping by the farm!

Jessica Rogers shares a farm journal each month. Missed last month’s journal? You can find it here.