We are working toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Each year we take on a project that will allow us to be more self-sufficient. We have always had a big garden and canning is part of our life style. Each year I can tomatoes, salsa, pie fillings and other tasty edibles. In 2007 I entered jams and jellies in the Mid State Fair for the first time. It was a rewarding experience and I learned a number of ways to improve my product. I will enter again this year. I specialize in savory jams, ones that are a little unusual and take advantage of our local fruit production. Chardonnay Rosemary Jelly, Zesty Apricot Butter, and Hot Zin Jelly are all award winners. This year I am branching out into pickles and relishes.

Also in 2007 I started two beehives, one here on our property and one on a friend’s property. As with everything new, the learning curve is steep. One hive was Carniolans and the other Italians. The difference in their personalities is amazing. The Italians are much more protective of their hive, the Carniolans are more docile. Only the Italian hive survived through the winter. The Carniolans swarmed, and as a new beekeeper, I wasn’t able to catch the swarm and re-hive it. We are hoping for honey from the surviving hive. It is going strong. It is amazing how many bees are in there!

This year, we are experimenting with goats, hoping to improve both our pastures and the pastures that we graze our cattle on. We purchased four wethers (neutered males) and turned them loose on one of our pastures. They then spent three days showing us where our fences needed to be improved. Our two Labrador Retrievers are in heaven anytime the goats get out, as they are pretending to be herding dogs. Cab (the black) actually has done a fair job at it. Buck (the yellow) gets too excited and just runs in circles. The plan is to sell the goats for meat at the end of the summer. I have a friend who raises dairy goats and we are hoping to pair with her in the future to take her kids and market them. This summer we are just trying to see if we can keep them alive and healthy and have them gain weight.

Next year it will be chickens. I am hoping to build a mobile chicken coop. It will then move from pasture to pasture to help with manure breakdown and bug patrol.