As we move through the month of October, we say farewell to the warm summer nights and the even warmer summer days. With the sun setting earlier in the evening, night time temperatures have dropped and we are greeted the next day with chilly mornings, and light frost.
During this time of year, we have a natural tendency to sleep more as there is less sunlight during the days, and cooler temperatures are less inviting. This same principle is mirrored in our herd of cows here at Freedom Hill Farm. Gone are the afternoon dips in the pond, and the late nights in the woods, which are now accompanied by a deep chill that even the cows feel. With less grass in the fields, the cows will be coming in from the fields earlier in the afternoon for some extra nutrition prior to the evening milking, and it won’t be too long before they happily stay in the barn overnight as well, going out only during the mildly warm days for exercise.
Fall can be a busy time of year for most farmers.
Many dairy farmers will be found in the fields either trying to get the last of the corn chopped for this winter or perhaps applying a good dose of nutrient rich manure to fields for next years crop season. Across Orange County, and New York State it is prime apple picking weather as later season apples are ripening up, and parking lots are filled with happy customers toting baskets of fresh picked fruit, and perhaps a couple pumpkins as well. Vegetable farmers are buttoning up harvesting tender summer varieties and getting a jump on some hardier fall crops like squash and broccoli. They can also be seen tucking fields in for the winter with applications of compost and cover crops to keep the soil in place and healthy through the winter months ahead. Even home gardeners are familiar with the transitions fall brings as they begin to uproot and compost summer flowers and vegetable plants, or dig up corms and tubers to be stored overwinter.
For us, fall means that we will work to get the last bit of wood split, tune up tractors and other equipment that will be needed during the chilly winter months. We will be cleaning the barn more, as 30 cows make quite a mess when they are kept inside overnight. We will double check our hay stores and make sure our ladies have enough feed on hand to get through the winter without being hungry. The barn windows will be shut, and doors snuggly sealed to ensure a well insulated shelter for the upcoming winter weather.
With all of the things to think about and the work to do to prepare for the next change in season, it is important to stop and appreciate the beauty and splendor that these crisp days have to offer. The trees are a vivid rainbow of orange, yellow, red, and every color in-between. Pumpkins, mums, cornstalks and hay bales can be seen decorating houses, stores, and parks as everyone gets into the fall spirit. Restaurants and Farmers markets shift their offerings as wonderfully savory and sweet squashes, leeks, onions, broccoli and apples come into season. Pumpkin bread, apple cakes, donuts, and crisps with warm hints of cinnamon and nutmeg begin to find their way into our ovens and on bakery shelves.
The bounty of the season is undeniable and every day is a blessing to enjoy in the hallmark season of the North Eastern United States.
