It has occurred to me that there is more to God’s "outdoors", than merely hunting, fishing and other forms of recreation. Therefore, I thought that this column would, from time to time, explore some of these other areas. Our new homestead provides all types of outdoor activities, many some would call chores, but I am finding them to be eye opening experiences of God’s provision.

I have learned, rather quickly, that farm life is not really just a warm weather occupation. Here it is February, and I have a growing list that will need to be accomplished long before warm, growing weather is here. This column is actually helping me to get them all organized, and hopefully finished in time for spring.

To start with, I still have much wood to cut. We got our first cold weather propane bill, and decided to install a wood stove. We had some firewood, but we will need several more cords to see us through the cold. Now is also the time to cut next winters wood. Our woodlot has plenty of standing, dead trees, that we can burn now, as well as next winter. But, in order to improve the land for the deer, I want to clear about an acre of old growth, allowing the new growth to come up. The deer much prefer brushy areas to tall trees with no under story.

Next on the list is maple syrup. The woodlot is mostly maple, so we should have no problem collecting enough sap. This will be the first time we’ve done this in large quantities, but at least we do have some experience in boiling it down into syrup. And, we have neighbors who have done it all their lives. I hope to get some advice from them.

By the first of March, I need to have built a poly house in which to start our vegetable plants for the spring garden. I plan on growing enough extra to sell to cover our costs. More of God’s provision.

Livestock is also on the list. We are building a small pen, with a shelter, for the feeder pigs that are coming. We decided that keeping them a little farther back on the property was best. Mostly because we didn’t want the children getting too attached. I want sausage and bacon in ten months, not four more pets.

We (I), have also decided that our little farm will be animal powered. After looking at many used tractors, and fully examining how much we would need one, it just makes sense to do without. We will raise one of our neighbor’s dairy bull calves, and train him

on to be an ox. He will be able to drag trees from the woods, pull a harrow to prepare the ground for spring planting, pull a wagon to haul anything that needs moving, even pull a snow plow to clear the drive. My son found a training yoke for young oxen on eBay, so we’re all set. I will say though, anyone I tell this to thinks we are a little odd. But, a decent used tractor is over $5000.00, and the baby bull will only be $100.00, and he’ll be fueled by grass and hay that I grow myself. I am using Proverbs 14:4 for my inspiration, Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox..

Fencing the pasture needs to be finished by the end of April, so we can turn out either cattle or buffalo. We are still deciding which would be best for us. Buffalo is what we eat most, and brings a higher price, but requires a bit farther drive to bring home the calves.

The spring tree sale delivery date is in early April, and we will be getting 300 Christmas trees, plus apple and nut trees. These will need to be planted as soon as we get them.

When I sit and look at this list, it seems like quite a bit of work, and I suppose it is. But, we have very willing children, and I have been blessed with a wife who not only supports me in this, but is willing to do more than her share (but she doesn’t want to bottle feed the calf). Lord willing, with all the helping hands, we will be ready to plant in May. This is a very exciting time, and we all look forward to seeing God’s creation provide for us, as we take dominion over what He has blessed us with.