Somber and Reflective

Richard finished processing the Little Roosters today. At least for now, he does it in the dark and quiet time early in the morning, for the least disruption on the Farm.

After the exuberance of 50 Roosters, the Rooster Pen is now quiet. On August 8, Richard did 12 Roosters; August 10, he did 20; August 17, he did 10; August 20, he did 8. The Little Guys would have been a range of 14-16 weeks.

Today, Richard has tidied up, closing this part of the work of the Farm for the year. He cleaned their house. The doors of their House are open to air out.

Meanwhile, the Freezer in the Humans' House is full. The Humans are a bit somber and reflective today taking in the meaning of all these things that support our lives. This is our 2nd year of raising and processing Chickens for meat.

A thought flashes: "It was easier to buy such things at the store." I remember those years. We didn't pay the least attention to the raising of the Chickens, their treatment, nor the treatment of those who cared for them. We were busy. We needed to eat. We only thought of Chicken as Meat. We just bought Chicken Meat, cooked it, ate it. That was that.

Our thinking on these issues has grown and changed over time. If during that time when we had moved away from a rural community and anyone anywhere would have said that we would be growing, raising and processing our own Chickens, we would have shook our heads and laughed. "You're too funny."

Our change happened slowly. I suppose the underpinnings of it all are that we started acting on the things that were important to us. Over the years, we began to note that store-bought Chicken didn't taste right. The fat was an odd color. The meat had a funny color too. Most of the meat was white, which wasn't the way Chickens came. The meat spoiled quickly. We began to be increasingly concerned about chemicals in food production and in the food itself. So we had to do something different.

About 8 years ago, our 1st choice was to go Organic, which meant no chemicals. We bought our Chickens and Turkeys at Amazing Grains, a natural foods store in Grand Forks. We noticed the difference right away. We were very happy about the screens their Amazing Staff provided us along the issues important to us. We simply wanted the Healthiest of Food for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet.

As time passed, our "screens" for purchase became a little finer. We wanted to cut down on transportation miles and to support local growers. We wanted to know who grew our food and we wanted to eat local. Amazing Grains began offering Organic Chickens from a Local Farm Family we knew and trusted. When Lars and Lesley no longer sold through Grains, another option presented itself. Organic Farmers Mary Pat and Mike Klawitter began selling Chickens and Turkeys direct to consumers on a by-order basis. We jumped at the chance.

Another factor was raising its head for us. We were increasingly concerned about the inhumane treatment to Animals and to People in mass production and on factory farms. These large scale operations also put Small Family Farmers at disadvantage. While an important part of our heritage (and our future), Small Family Farmers could not compete. As a result, they were leaving the landscape almost with little trace. In no way, did we 3 C's want to leave a wake of violence in our simple act of acquiring food.

Fast forward to 2008. Now we have our own little Farm. The question of raising Chickens for our own Meat was just a natural. Richard, fortunately, had experience when he grew up on the Family Farm not so far from here.

We did just what Melanie promised when the 1 day old Roosters arrived: "Their lives will be short. And they will be loved." We didn't get as close to them as we did last year. We did name a few, but perhaps they named themselves. Over those few short weeks, we enjoyed them. We played with them. We made sure they were well cared for. We knew they were giving us an amazing Gift. We tried to care for them with all the Respect and Love that Gift required. They were lively. They were playful. They were fun. We noted distinct personalities. I think they knew they were giving a Gift. And that was O.K.

So: "Is it easier to buy things at the store?" Such quick motions without care for the Big Picture just are not consistent with our values. When we purchased Chickens as Meat from the Big Box Store, that simple choice distanced us from a process which sustains our lives. We are not willing to do that anymore.

It may be harder this way. But it feels right.