Before Work: A Typical Weekday

A peek into our mornings: full-time farming before full-time jobs

Good morning from the farm!

Today, we wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what weekday mornings are like when you’re balancing full-time jobs and full-time farming.

Spoiler alert: it starts early.

Curious how different chores look in extreme cold? Check this out.

4:47am – Two Extra Minutes of Bliss

Jeff’s alarm goes off at exactly 4:45am, but I savor an all-too-short two-minute bonus round before rolling out of bed at 4:47.

(because, yes, it makes a difference!)

We intentionally start the morning with at least 30 minutes of quiet reading (outside of milking season) —because once we get our boots on, the pace doesn’t tend to slow down until well after the sun sets.

Then, it’s time to layer up: warm hoodie, overalls, jacket, beanie, gloves (can’t forget the hand warmers these days), and boots.

By 5:45am, we’re stepping out into the crisp morning air, greeted by a deep sky full of stars that’s never a disappointment and always a grand display of God’s handiwork just for us (at least it feels like it is!).

First Stops: Chickens & Goats

As I head to the water hydrant, Jeff has to make sure the chickens' automatic door is opened—because sometimes, someone decides to poop right where the door needs to open and it gets blocked.

Chickens 🙄

Meanwhile, I’m hauling a bucket of water to replenish what the dairy goats drank overnight.

We reunite in the red barn, where we’re met with a chorus of morning greetings from our girls, stretching out their legs and demanding their first scratchies of the day.

Next comes the hay… we portion it out for everyone—the girls in the red barn, the boy goat’s pen, the rams, and then the weaners (AKA the recently weaned from their mommas).

All water buckets get topped off, and by 6:10ish, we’re on the move to Papa and Grandma’s side.

The Other Side of the Farm

As we walk over to the cattle area, once again we divide and conquer.

Jeff checks on the second chicken coop while I wake up the calves and make sure the cows’ water troughs are full.

Espy and Blueberry are always being cute

Next, he dishes out hay to the cows while I take care of the ewes.

With each hay fill, we ensure that every water bucket is full as well.

Last but not least, the rowdy farm cats (Naughty and Softie) are freed from their cat shed, so they can begin making their rounds like they own the place.

Final Check-In & Off to Work

By 6:40am, the morning chores are wrapped up, but before heading back to our side of the farm, we swing by to say good morning to Grandma Pam (Papa gets to sleep in) and give her the official “farm report”.

Then, it’s time to swap boots for work shoes, pack lunches, and get ready for the day before taking one last peek into the red barn to make sure the girls are settled, and also check for any early eggs from the ladies.

And Then We Do It All Again

By 7:25ish, we’re out the door with coffees in hand, preparing for our off-farm jobs at church, looking a little ragged, but who’s really keeping track, right?

…right?!

But in the back of our minds, we’re already thinking about evening chores—because the work of a farmer never really stops.

And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for walking through the morning with us!

Hope your day is filled with fresh air, warm coffee, and at least one good scratchie.