Time tested method of preserving pork! Video

 I put a new video over on YouTube showing an excellent way of storing your pork without refrigeration.  You can find it here at this link:  

(6) Century's old method of preserving meat. - Salt Pork! - YouTube

What an experience!

 I wouldn't call us movie stars but.....we did get an opportunity to be involved in a film project.  We learnt so much!  The film crew, cast and production people were great to work with.  We met people from all over the United States, each bringing their expertise to complete the project.  Our part was providing two teams of oxen.  Our big team were the "stars" of the show.  They are in most of the sets with the lead actors.  I (Mark) got the opportunity to "fill in" for the lead and drive the oxen.  Of course, you won't know it is me, since my face is mostly covered with hat and scarf.  It was a lot of fun and we are so grateful to get the opportunity to experience this part of life.  Here are a few photo's!

                         The river crossing scene, wagons going west crossing the Mississippi River.  My                                                              daughter is in the far-left corner in the cape!

                        

                               The filming crew getting the set ready for shooting the river crossing.

Me filling in for the main actor driving!

The scene driving the oxen for the main actor.

Scene setup for one of the shots starting our day.

2023, what will it be like?

 Changes, challenges and choices!

The year has already started out with changes.  Changes in agriculture, finance, culture & faith.  All of these areas effect our personal lives.  We live in a changing world.  Some are good..... many are bad!  Life is full of changes; I like the good ones...like a new grand baby to our married son and daughter in law, the weather changing from several days of gloomy weather to sunny and warm, a newborn calf, the abundant harvest.  We need to embrace change, realize it is a reality and be flexible to "keep from getting bent out of shape"! 😊

Challenges, they come our way.  A 5k marathon, growing a new garden, trying to master a skill can all be challenges.  They can be used to strengthen us, grow us, or do we can allow them to defeat us.  I want to choose to learn and grow by them.  I personally don't like when things are to challenging but am learning, it is in the challenge that growth comes, and I want more personal growth.

Choices!  This is what it boils down to.  How am I going to choose to respond to the issues of life.  Do I choose to walk in the truth, to embrace the goodness of God and the blessings HE imparts to me in life.  Do I choose wisdom and virtue?  Do I choose to overcome evil with good?  Do I choose to change the course I am on to adapt to the challenges of life?  

I look forward to 2023!  I hope you do to?

It is a good day at the farm!

 

The three amigos'!  These three steers are having a good time eating the yummy hay.  One is going to be leaving soon for Kentucky.  A customer is wanting some AMD's on their farm and we are glad to help them get started with such a great breed.

We have fun teaching agriculture and American history!

 For many people including some in our family, history is boring.  Unrelatable and dry!  Then in 2017 oxen came into our lives unexpectedly.  They created a whole new opportunity to live history.  Wow what an adventure and thrill.  Having the oxen not only took us back to a later day, but it challenged us to research how people thought in those days.  How their economic situation determined their behavior and positions.  How their religious beliefs influenced their behavior and priorities.  We now have the blessing of teaching others some of the things we have been taught.  We educate primarily the American 1760's-1880's timeline.  Focusing on the use of oxen in agriculture & transportation, frontier living, ox training and driving.  We do events all over the Midwest for reenactments, festivals, church groups, school groups, etc.  Here are a few pictures:

A trip to the past by way of oxen!

 It was fun to get the big boys out and put them to work pulling my new/used sleigh.  They seemed to enjoy the beautiful day and brisk winter air.  There is something amazing about working these guys vs. driving a tractor.  Don't get me wrong, I like my John Deere!  The quiet, peaceful connection to our past does something to your mind and spirit.  It has a way of connecting you to what it must have been like to do things the way it was done for thousands of years vs. modern "warp speed" living in 2022.  I wouldn't want to return to full time farming with oxen, but I am so grateful for the lessons these oxen are teaching me and my family!

NEW things coming for 2022!

 We have new changes coming for 2022, please come back and see what is in the works.  Also, check out our Facebook page for updates.  Double-M-Farms | Facebook