The Slow Turn of Fall on the Farm

Welcome to October on the farm! Cooler nights, crisp mornings, abundant sunshine, and a month painted in shades of yellow. Goldenrod, tickweed, butterflies, leaves starting to turn, longer nights, and shortening day.

Yesterday I heard and saw the first flock of geese flying south high overhead, a sure sign that cooler weather is coming and that shift from the summer rush to the slower, very welcome pace of fall and winter is near. I’m hoping for a long, lingering autumn this year. I’m just not ready for winter yet!

I had my first persimmons yesterday while moving cattle. Wrinkly, sweet little reminders of my grandma, who adored persimmon pudding, and memories of childhood persimmon “fights” with friends, ending sticky and covered in pulp.

The coats of the cattle and sheep are thickening in response to the cooler nights, building their natural protection for winter. Acorns are everywhere, and the sheep always check under the oak trees first when I move them - they’re a little luxury. I’ve always known pigs love them, but seeing sheep enjoy acorns for the first time was a treat (though not surprising). The deer, too, gather under the oaks this time of year, sometimes everywhere in the pastures, sometimes disappearing into the woods -ironically right as hunting season begins.

Poultry season is winding down, but not over just yet. Our last batch in the brooders will head out to pasture next week. The countdown is on. Five weeks until we’re chicken-less for 2025 and ready to rest and recharge for a new season starting in March 2026!

There’s still plenty to do - winterizing pens as we empty them, thorough brooder clean-outs (the big brooder will return to basketball, corn hole, and indoor play space for kids and adults through the winter, along with a few possible welding projects…), and the smaller brooder will become shop space for 4-wheeler parking and storage of poultry supplies, cleaned and stashed for next season.

A couple of the poultry pens will be prepped to welcome a batch of pigs in a month or so, giving them cozy shelter as they rotate through paddocks all winter.

It’s starting to feel like chicken soup weather and my favorite holiday is just around the corner. Thanksgiving, the celebration of food, friends, and family is near the top of my list. 

Happy autumn to all you fabulous eaters, and thank you for supporting farms like ours! It’s a joy to provide for your tables and families.

Your grateful farmer,
Andrea
Falling Sky Farm, Arkansas