This past winter and early spring have been about the worst I can remember. Even worse than the Viet Nam era of the 60’s. Worse mainly because the rule of law has been eroded and abdicated from our democracy. We are now a fascist country. Life goes on. Following is what has been happening at Whiskey Creek Regenerative Farming so far this calendar year.

Winter Storm Fern

Beginning on January 25 we had 17 days with a snow and ice covering of the land that even a 1,000-pound cow could not break through. It was the worst snow and ice in my life. I had to use a pickax to break through it to make a path for my mother-in-law’s wheelchair. There was an entire week where the daytime temperature never got above freezing; each night was in the single digits. One bright spot throughout the storm was that the water trough for the cows never froze up.

This is a Ritchie frost free cattle waterer that never froze during Winter Storm Fern.

Another bright spot was that the storm brought a bird to the bird feeders that I had never seen: an American Tree Sparrow. For a 70-year-old birder to get a life-bird at the house is awesome.

An American Tree Sparrow. Notice the bicolored bill, dark on top and yellow on the bottom. Photo credit with permission ©Marshall Faintich

Calving Season

 Calving season began early on February 21 when Cow #02 gave birth.

The #02 cow with her newborn calf.

Calf #39 has made a remarkable recovery from overextended front legs.

Calf 39 with splints.

Calf 39 nursing on her own for the first time six days later.

Shade Trees for the Cows

After the storm we purchased twenty large trees from Shreckhize Shrubbery Sales and Landscaping to provide shade for our cows in fields that did not have trees. We now have eight 20’ X 80’ shade tree enclosures with native fast-growing trees such as Sycamore, Red Maple, Tulip Poplar, and Willow Oak.

One of eight shade tree enclosures on the farm. These provide shade for the cows and are fenced to prevent cattle from damaging the trees.

Shortleaf Pine Replant

In 2021 we planted Shortleaf Pines on a steep slope. Most of them died from either voles or drought. Allison Hoffman from Tiger Solar called me to ask if their employees could volunteer to plant trees. I enthusiastically said yes and ordered Shortleaf Pine seedlings from Shenandoah Habitats.

Allison Hoffman, with Tiger Solar, plants a Shortleaf Pine at Whiskey Creek Regenerative Farming.

Shortleaf Pines are native to Virginia, but their population has declined by 53% since 1980; mainly because of overharvesting and not replanting. The Virginia Department of Forestry has a cost-share program to assist landowners with planting Shortleaf Pines.

The Legacy of the Felon in the White House: Missiles, Measles, Mercury, Misery

I had to write down how I felt about our country. If you are up for it, take a read.

The Sun Charges Our Electric Vehicle

On March 2, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps closed the Strait of Hormuz shutting down the transport of 20% of the world’s crude oil. This was in response to the U.S. and Israeli unprovoked and illegal war on Iran. Gas prices in the U.S. have shot up 30% to over $4/gallon since the war began on February 28.

Sadly, President Trump also declared war on renewable energy and efforts to fight climate change.

I feel uplifted plugging our electric vehicle into our level II charger at home when the sun is shining. That’s when the lithium battery in the car is charged by the energy created by the solar panels on one of our barns. That energy from the sun doesn’t have to go through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ioniq 5 EV plugged in and being charged by our solar panels.

That car doesn’t use gas or oil and has zero emissions. Oh, what about the construction of the vehicle or the damage from mining the lithium for the battery? Read about the tradeoffs here. Your next car should be an EV.

 No Kings Rally

Staunton, Virginia held a No Kings Rally on March 28. We were there joining over 8 million people throughout the country and the world to protest what the Felon in the White House is doing to our country and the world. It gives us hope for a more civil and peaceful future.

There were over 700 participants in Staunton, Virginia’s third No Kings Rally held at Gypsy Hill Park, including these characters. Photo credit Vicki Vacher

Note: This was written by a real person: me. There are no paywalls, pop-ups, ads, or surveys, and no AI. All photos by me or as otherwise noted.

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