Bob Comis operates Stony Brook Farm in Schoharie New York where he and his wife pasture raise heritage breed pigs, lamb, goat and poultry. In his posts, Bob shares his thoughts on farming, regional food systems, and how it all could be better and different.

I thought if I made a list here I could refer to it when I can’t remember what to do next:

1. Build a roof for the Smidley pig feeder
2. Service the big tractor
3. Fix the ATV cart
4. Change the hydraulic oil in the small tractor
5. Grease and adjust the plow
6. Pack the bearings on the disc
7. Go to Lakeview Organic to pick up seed
8. Go to Agway to pick up seed
9. Go to Don’s to pick up five new 275 gallon tanks
10. Begin moving pigs out of winter paddocks
11. Service broadcast seeder
12. Get sheep sheared
13. Finish cleaning out winter feeder lamb pen
14. Fix big pasture fencing
15. Clean winter bedding pack out of pig barn
16. Grease and oil manure spreader before heavy use
17. Build four pig “summer” shelters
18. Spread winter manure on fields
19. Muck out back of barn where sheep hang out
20. Put up pig fencing
21. Start plowing and discing as soon as fields are dry enough
22. Plant field peas, barley, wheat, and ladino clover about first of April, if possible
23. Put nipples in 55-gallon barrels for whey feeding
24. Grease trailer hubs for twice weekly whey pick-ups
25. Adjust brakes on stock trailer
26. Take a couple of loads to the dump
27. Replace blown trailer lamp fuse in truck
28. Order and put watering cups on new 275 gallon tanks
29. Replace broken bolt on bush hog
30. Start turning compost again
31. Spread finished compost on crop land, especially the heaviest clay
32. …