Agriculture

Last year, I spent some time rejuvenating, if you will, our “Miss Kim” lilac. It had gone years without any maintenance pruning, just never making the priority list for chores out at the farm. Although “Miss Kim” is considered a dwarf variety and needs less maintenance, it was in need of some serious reduction.

I am heading to Boulder, Colo., for a Slow Money National Gathering Conference and, when writing this, the city is melting a record April snowfall; a warming trend occurs before my arrival, thank goodness. Our cold spring, met with a blizzard in my destination that is the one opportunity I have to get away for some continuing education this year, does not sit well.

I used to have a visceral response to lush spring grass. It gave me anxiety because I knew it was time to get on the Scag and start mowing (and usually the Scag would not start when first brough out of winter storage).
This year, I see the grass in a different way because it is potential pasture for our growing herd of sheep. We use moveable, electrified fence and rotational grazing methods to keep the pasture and the herd healthy; so the more grass I have, the better. It is a liberating feeling not worrying about getting the grass mowed.

The Spencer County 4-H Livestock Club attended the State Meats Contest on April 13 in Lexington at the Meats Lab on the University of Kentucky’s campus. Congratulations to all of the participants.