Hello World! Newborn Goat Kids Never Get Old

Well, after a bit of a dramatic entrance involving getting stuck on the way and needing a good old-fashioned pull, the first kid of the spring season is officially here! Leave it to goats to turn something simple into a full-blown production. Nothing like a little barnyard drama to kick off kidding season.

She made her debut yesterday afternoon—a single birth from a first-time mama who handled the whole event like she’d been doing it for years. Calm, steady, and with that natural instinct that always amazes me. No panic, no confusion, just a little huff, a push, a pull, and there she was: one strong, healthy doeling weighing in at 9.4 pounds. That’s a respectable size for a first-timer and a good start to the season.

Within no time, baby girl was up on her wobbly legs, ears flopping, tail wagging, and exploring her brand-new world like she owned it. You could practically see her curiosity bubbling over—sniffing the straw, bumping into her mama, and trying to decide what exactly her legs were supposed to do. Mama, meanwhile, was standing guard like a proud soldier, softly talking to her little one in that gentle goat-mama voice that always melts my heart.

And before anyone asks—no, I don’t do bottles. I raised my own kids; I’m not about to raise theirs too. Around here, mama takes care of her babies, and I’m just here to make sure everyone’s healthy, fed, and not getting themselves into trouble (which, with goats, is always a full-time job).

There’s something special about that first kid of the year—it feels like the true start of spring. The barn smells like fresh hay and new life again, and the long, cold winter finally feels like it’s behind us.

If this lively little girl is any indication, it’s going to be a fun, busy, and slightly chaotic kidding season. And honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hey, Mom, whatca eatin'?

That smelled interesting but I think I'd rather have what's under here!

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©2010 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Lamb.... It's What's for Dinner! Newborn Lambs Are a Great Way to Start The Day

These two little woolly freeloaders have decided that the hay feeder isn’t just for eating—it’s for living. Apparently, when you’re a lamb, nothing says “home sweet home” like lying smack in the middle of your lunch. They’ve tucked themselves in there like a pair of cozy dinner rolls in a bread basket—content, warm, and completely oblivious to the concept of “sharing.” Honestly, I can’t even be mad. If I could curl up in my food supply and call it a day, I might do the same, especially a big pot of chicken and dumplings. Those biscuit fluff balls have always looked so comfy.

They look downright pleased with themselves too—those innocent little faces saying, “What? We’re not eating it. We’re just keeping it warm.” Meanwhile, the rest of the flock is probably glaring at them from the sidelines, wondering when it’ll be their turn to dine without the bed-and-breakfast crowd hogging the buffet.

And before anyone starts worrying that I’ve been feeding my chickens steroids, no—your eyes aren’t deceiving you. That hen in the foreground isn’t some mutant poultry escapee from Jurassic Farm. It’s just a classic case of camera perspective. She’s closer to the lens, giving her that “giant chicken” look. She’s not auditioning for Attack of the 50-Foot Chicken, I promise.

The lambs, for their part, aren’t tiny either—they’re just tucked into their hay bunk like a couple of farm-raised hobbits enjoying a second breakfast. They’re perfectly healthy, happy, and already developing that fine sheepish art of looking adorable while making a mess.

It’s moments like this that make life on the farm such a comedy show. Every day, you find a new example of animals doing what animals do best—turning practicality into pure mischief.

Life on the farm… where scale is a suggestion, personal space is optional, and dinner might just be taking a nap in the salad bar.

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©2010 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

CNN Speaks Out Against White House

Somebody finally said what a lot of us have been thinking — and Jack Cafferty didn’t hold back. In this CNN segment titled “How Dare They,” he delivers the kind of no-nonsense truth that used to be the standard in journalism: blunt, clear, and without a single coat of sugar.

From the first few seconds, you can tell he’s had it. “When the people’s business becomes ‘Let’s manage the message’ instead of ‘Let’s serve the people,’ then we’re in trouble,” he says. Amen to that. Somewhere along the way, the line between leadership and public relations got blurred, and folks like Cafferty are the few still brave enough to point it out.

He reminds viewers that leadership isn’t just about power — it’s about responsibility. “When you ignore basic expectations — openness, integrity, consistency — you don’t just disappoint; you weaken the fabric of public trust.” That’s not a partisan statement; that’s plain common sense.

The segment builds to his knockout punch: “How dare they — the people who are supposed to be accountable to us — treat our democracy like a marketing campaign instead of a public service?” You can almost hear the collective “thank you” from everyone who’s been watching politics with gritted teeth.

This isn’t about party lines. It’s about remembering what the White House used to stand for: respect, duty, and honesty with the American people. Cafferty’s frustration mirrors what many of us feel — we were raised on the idea that doing the right thing mattered, even when it was hard.

He just said it out loud on national television. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what this country needs to hear.

I don’t know about you, but when CNN starts calling out the White House, you know the pot’s really boiling. I’m not here to wave a flag for any side — just calling it like I see it. Somewhere along the line, honesty stopped being fashionable. Maybe it’s time it made a comeback. Out here on the farm, if the barn roof’s leaking, you don’t argue about whose fault it is — you grab a ladder and fix it. Washington could learn a thing or two from that.

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©2010 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm

Survival Seeds: Saving Heirloom Seeds in Your Food Storage Plan

Jim and I have spent the past few years chatting (and sometimes debating) about the importance of growing and storing non-hybrid, non-GMO vegetables. As hybrid seeds and genetically modified crops take over the market, it just seems smart—old-fashioned smart—to invest in seeds you can actually replant year after year. I bet you've thought about it too, or maybe you're already ahead of us and growing your own stash of heirloom goodness.

We’ve browsed more websites than I care to admit—some of those seed packages are priced like you’re buying a gold mine, not a tomato. One of them actually made me wonder if I’d accidentally clicked on a mortgage refinancing site. But then we stumbled across a gem: Hometown Seeds.

They sell a survival seed package that’s about 1½ pounds of 16 different vegetable seeds, all sealed for long-term storage. It comes with planting and storing instructions and, get this, it’s affordable. Like, actual people on actual farms can afford it affordable. They're even running a sale right now, and I have to say, the customer service was downright refreshing. A gal named Joni sent my order out, and it was in my mailbox four days later. That's faster than it takes me to find my gardening gloves.

Now all I have to do is wait for spring. I’m already picturing rows of healthy, non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetables waving in the breeze. And the best part? I can harvest the seeds from this year’s crop and use them for next year’s garden. That’s the kind of recycling I can get behind!

And no, before you ask—that beautiful garden photo isn’t mine. That’s from Hometown Seeds' website. Mine looks a bit more... realistic. But I’m thinking of printing out that photo and posting it right in the middle of my garden for inspiration. Or maybe intimidation. “See this, lettuce? This is your potential. Shape up.”

So if you’ve been toying with the idea of survival seeds, this might be the perfect time to start. It’s one small step toward food independence—and one giant leap for your zucchini plants.

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©2010 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm