Blogs
November 30, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
A ram escaped from a home in Des Moines today (yes, that owner has been fined) and ran though downtown streets. You can watch the ram on the lam here. Pretty hilarious.
Several people asked me if it was one of our rams. Not unless they know how to...see all
November 29, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
I didn't have one photo that showed all our family members, so I grouped some favorite images into a card. I also snuck in a pig. :-)
Drop your card here and we may feature it on Living the Country Life: http://www.livingthecountrylife.com/photos/
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November 28, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
A box arrived from Maryland yesterday with two of Mom's moist and delicious fruitcakes -- one for me and one for Grandpa Freese. The holiday season is officially here. A piece of fruitcake with a wedge of sharp cheddar cheese and hot tea is the...see all
November 26, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
Fall is prime time for calf sales. Bob and I went to Bosch Farms Limousin sale on Saturday. Owner Bob Bosch, Indianola, Iowa, does a great job of penning the animals in like groups and providing detailed information on the yearling bulls, hiefers,...see all
November 20, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
I have three children in college. The two in Iowa, Warren and Caroline, wanted to visit the oldest, Nowlan, in South Carolina for Thanksgiving. Nowlan had just enough extra room for them, so said -- come on down! Bob is a busy veterinarian during...see all
November 19, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association stopped by our offices and shared some delicious recipes and entertaining ideas. As the daughter of a strawberry farmer, I know a lot about this crop. I grew up working in the strawberry fields of Maryland...see all
November 15, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
The United States Potato Board, uspotatoes.com, visited our office this week and shared a bushel of information about this popular vegetable. I love to grow potatoes, and am eager to try a few new varieties in my garden next spring. I won the...see all
November 13, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
It is discouraging to work hard raising a farm product and then sell that product for less than it costs to produce it. That is the situation we are in with our sheep herd. Bob and I sorted off the heaviest 28 lambs, averaging 140 pounds, took them...see all
November 12, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
You know it's time for a new fence when you can't keep sheep in or town kids out.
Last spring I found our canoe floating upside down at one end of the pond with beer cans scattered on the shore. One paddle was missing and the other stuck in the mud...see all
November 8, 2012 | Betsy's Backyard
In the summer of 1994, I was covering the livestock beat for Successful Farming magazine and decided to assemble a ranking of the largest hog farmers in the U.S. While I was doing the initial research, someone told me I needed to talk to a big,...see all