Arctic Temps and Icy Fingers
Protected from the wind as they were, the sheep gave little regard for the discomfort of their farmer as I pressed icy fingers against the heat of my neck in an attempt to warm the frozen digits...
Icy winds barreled across the field, sweeping snow-crystals into little tornadoes that trekked across the landscape, stinging my exposed cheeks and hands as I worked to tack down the billowing plastic on the Sheep-Shed. The greenhouse film served as roofing for the livestock shelter and I worried that—left untended—more of the material would be ripped loose, exposing the flock to the elements in the night. Thus, in spite of the fact that it had already been a long day (up at 3am to write in the office, off to school by 6:30 to feed kids and then back home to tend the critters that afternoon) I hammered the roofing nail into the wooden lathe to hold the plastic roof in place. Join me now for the latest updates from the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm amid the frozen mountains of Maine…
Welcome to the latest Updates From the Farm! If you are new here, I invite you to check out my About page to learn what this is, who I am and why I am doing this. Or just dive right in! At “Runamuk Acres” you’ll find the recantings of one lady-farmer and tree-hugging activist from the western mountains of Maine. #foodieswanted
In This Post:
Arctic Temps
Flash Sale on Lamb!
School Garden Coach?
A Passion for Food
Bridges
Works Published This Week
Icy Fingers
Arctic Temps
These arctic temps have had this farmer in a perpetual state of anxiety lately, as I monitor critters, outbuildings and farmhouse to ensure all systems are functioning. I’m thankful for hay stored in the barn, for the dependability of work at school keeping cash coming into the farm for feed and heating fuel in the tank.
It’s a blessing I was able to get ahead of the heating situation a bit, because Beebe’s recent two-night and three-day stay at the veterinarian’s really tanked farm-finances.
While I was able to break the cost into two payments and the first has been paid, it ate funds earmarked for other previously scheduled payments, and I’m once again sporting negative numbers in the bank account.
Sigh…
Since I took off-farm employment to catch up farm finances, it’s been one thing after another and I’m no closer to having bills caught up than when I started. Given the challenges I face at school and the struggle to keep the farm going, I can’t help but wonder what it’s all for…but maybe that’s just the January-doldrums talking.
Flash Sale on Lamb!
To correct the bank deficit (and so I might purchase heating fuel come payday), I’ve decided to offer a flash sale on lamb for my local peeps!
I love lamb.
And I love the sense of security that comes with having a well-stocked freezer—which is why I’ve hoarded the meat since it came back from the butcher’s, lol.
Some did go—to local customers who had pre-ordered with me for a 10% bonus. Those funds helped cover the expense of having the animals processed, but I’ve been loathe to part with more.
NOTE: I apologize to anyone reading from afar, but I do not sell in such quantities that it is viable for me to ship meat through the mail. This opportunity is exclusively for local readers.
*****If you’re a local reader interested in placing an order for some of Runamuk’s regeneratively-grown lamb, please reach out to me by email or via direct message.*****
School Garden Coach?
After much deliberation, I’ve decided to put my name in for consideration for the position of School Garden Coach with the Greater Franklin Food Council.
Coming across the listing last week (when I thought I was about to be fired), I set some balls in motion that I’m keen to see through and I’ll be submitting my resume and references this week.
This is a dream job for me—getting paid to work with children and facilitate school garden programs here in the western mountains region of Maine where I grew up.
The School Garden Coach works with staff at several schools in the area, as well as maintaining the gardens during summer vacation, and eventually assuming grant writing responsibilities to continue and grow the program.
If it all works the way I hope it will, I’ll do both the Head Cook job and the School Garden Coach at least until I’ve refinanced the farm and car. At that time, if I’m still meeting resistance from our school district about improving the quality of food we’re serving, I’ll have the option (financially) to step back from that role.
With this new venture in mind, I attended the Greater Franklin Food Council’s first-ever “Local Foods Convening” this week in Farmington.
The GFFC is a newer organization in our region, but one that is steadfastly growing, increasingly providing opportunities for farmers and the community. In 2022, the GFFC conducted a farm-survey, collecting information about Franklin County’s local farms (even inviting Runamuk to participate) and the challenges it’s farmers face.
Then, in 2023 the GFFC sponsored several regional farmers—myself included—to attend Maine’s annual Farmer-to-Farmer Conference.
Click here to read more my grand adventure at the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabasset Valley.
A Passion for Food
One thing I think my supervisors at school did not expect, and nor did I for that matter, is that this job would fan the flames of my own burning passion for food.
“It doesn’t even have to be local!” I told the community members gathered around the table. “It just has to be real!”
Once upon a time, I was very engaged in community activism over in Somerset County (here in Maine, of course, not the UK), back when I was president of the Somerset Beekeepers’ and manager for the Madison Farmers’ Market. I attended town meetings, advocated food sovereignty in my hometown, and gave presentations on a variety of topics in a spectrum of locations.
I stepped away from all that when I finally bought my own farm, needing to focus my energy on establishing and building up my farm-business.
New Portland is also right on the edge of the county line. Technically I’m in Somerset County, but it’s a long haul to access any county resources. On the other hand, since I am so close to the county line, the Greater Franklin Food Council has adopted Runamuk Acres as one of it’s local farms and has been nothing but a positive force since we came to the area.
I had to hurry from school to get to the meeting that day, but sitting with other community members all passionate about food felt right to me.
There’s a growing momentum of change coming, I realized as I listened and observed these other activists and volunteers. After working alone for so long, it’s validating and reassuring to know that there are others fighting the same battle. I knew then that if SAD58 thinks I’m going to let go this notion of better food, they’d better think again.
“It doesn’t even have to be local!” I told the other community members. “It just has to be real!”
Bridges
If I can land the position of School Garden Coach with the GFFC, I wonder what bridges I might be able to build between the school garden programs and their school kitchens. Something which so far has been lacking, for all the good the garden program does for it’s students.
I’d be serving the same school I’m in now (as well as several others), which I think would give me a unique edge since those children already know me as Farmer Sam.
This position would provide me with a much-needed source of dependable income over the summer break, when school kitchen staff aren’t working and thus not getting paid. There would be an over-lap between May/June and September/October, but I’m hoping we can make it work if I get the job.
At any rate, it’s too good an opportunity to pass up without at least giving it a shot.
Stay tuned for more as this unfolds!
Works Published This Week
Icy Fingers
Fingers numb and non-compliant, your friendly neighborhood farmer secured the roof and replaced the patch before ducking into the Sheep-Shed for a reprieve from the prevailing winds.
There, the sheep munched away on their hay, protected from the wind and any harsh drafts as they were, the sheep gave little regard for the discomfort of their farmer as I pressed icy fingers against the heat of my neck in an attempt to warm the frozen digits. Seeing the livestock were satisfactorily stocked with hay and fresh water, I shoved my hands back into their mittens and set about gathering my tools, making my way back to the sanctity provided by this big old farmhouse.
“Thank you, Effie,” I breathed as I came into the house.
Yes—I’ve even named my house.
There isn’t a day goes by I don’t give thanks for this house and property, and the journey that brought me to them, however long and arduous though it has been.
At the moment, I am exceedingly grateful for the resources to heat it with that I may be warm and cozy here during this deep chill. And I’m grateful for the support of readers who have contributed in one way or another, greasing the wheels that I may continue this work I feel so compelled to do.
Too many winters in my life I’ve been cold or lugging fuel in a five-gallon jug to buy a night’s comfort. This winter, in spite of on-going challenges, I’ve managed to keep all systems running and fuel in the tank, thus avoiding the pitfall of having to haul off-road diesel by hand.
It may be a small win, but I’ll take it and be all the more grateful for it.
So, while the sheep are fine and dandy with their thick wool coats and the chickens are comfortable enough in their coop, Beebe has been living in the house essentially since her return from hospital.
She’s fairly well-rounded for a livestock dog, and—aside from a couple of forays into the trash or kitty litter when she’s able to catch us off guard—she does quite well to follow in-house rules.
Really, I think she’s loving being close to the family, though she does tend to get restless being cooped up inside.
But then…so do I, lol.
Sending love and good juju to you and yours.
Your friendly neighborhood farmer,
Sam
Thank you for following along with the story of this lady-farmer! It is truly a privilege to live this life serving my family and community, and protecting wildlife through agricultural conservation. Check back soon for more updates from the farm, and be sure to follow @RunamukAcres on Instagram or Facebook!
I really admire what you're doing and finding ways to make it possible. Thank you for the video and picture. xx
There is always something to do on a farm. We were mostly grain and cotton, but we did have a few pigs. Equipment was always in need of repair for the following spring along with maintenance and the pigs needed feeding. The pigs were usually harvested in the winter.