Updates

Springtime came and went. Sadly, the summer soltice has also passed, meaning our days are already getting shorter. I hate to even type that! I love my long evenings, the slow sunset and falling into bed completely exhausted and equally fulfilled.

My days are full of filling water buckets, checking on the growth of my garden seeds, pulling weeds and playing off the property with my kids.

I have already processed close to 40 cornish cross meat birds. Over two days I did it all by myself this year. I get into my groove and get it down, but man, it's a lot of work. I am so happy to see the freezer fill up with our homegrown protein. It is so satisfying.

I have another 20 or so ready to go next week and then that job is finished. I am glad I started so early in the spring this year, the earliest I have ever received meat chicks. It will be a nice load off my mind for the rest of the summer.

I also have 2 baby turkeys that I received about a week ago. I am debating keeping these two as a breeding pair and not preparing them for the freezer....we will see how that goes in the next couple months!

Addi asked for a kitten, of course we said yes. She hasn't asked for a kitten since she was 4, and I think she is clinging to her childhood in anyway she can. She returned from her college orientation (exhausted, but excited) and will move there in August. I am so happy to see her move in her world, becoming the women she is meant to be. It will be a very strange transition for all of us....

I received a letter from a individual a couple weeks ago telling me to cease the use of Huckleberry Hen Farm because they had trademarked 'Huckleberry Hen'. I was immediately heartbroken and annoyed at the thought of having to rebrand and rename my business of seven years. After speaking with the Montana Secretary of State business office they assured me that my business name and my approved trademark is distinguishable from their trademark that I can continue to use it and operate my business under that name. Relieved for sure, but also now torn. Should I rebrand anyway now that I know there is someone else using Huckleberry Hen? Goodness, I don't know what to do! That will have to be stacked on the back burner as I get through the busy summer season. Since I had originally written this post my website was suspended due to a trademark violation. For a week I was not able to see, edit or publish to my website. It is so disappointing, but I will continue to work through it as I can.

Milking is going great! My mama goat, Georgie is producing a nice amount. I am still kid-sharing with her. She is with her baby at night and is separated during the day. I am milking her once per day in the evening and getting 1/4 of a gallon at each milking. Having 2 does in milk will be about the perfect amount. I plan to breed Georgie's baby, Frannie, fall 2027.

God willing and in his glory, on to hot summer lake days, making new soaps, salves & cheese, foraging in the forest and canning up my garden's goodies.