As the days grow shorter and the night chill sets in, the team at Crooked Pines Farm prepares for the quieter, slower-paced winter season. While the vibrant colors of autumn have faded, and the fields now lie dormant beneath a light dusting of snow, there is still plenty to keep us busy and engaged during these months. From bundling up for essential outdoor tasks to cozying up indoors for family fun, winter on the farm offers a special kind of peace and stillness that we cherish.
Seasonal Activities
Chilly Chores
The winter months bring a unique set of responsibilities for our hardworking farm crew. With temperatures often dipping below freezing, we must be diligent in our winterization efforts to protect our delicate crops, livestock, and equipment. This includes insulating water pipes, covering raised beds and cold frames, and ensuring our animals have access to warm shelter and ample feed.
One of our most crucial wintertime tasks is regularly clearing snow from walkways, driveways, and building entrances. Using shovels and snowblowers, we work to keep the main paths accessible, both for our own travel and to welcome visitors. The rhythmic crunching of boots through the fresh powder is a familiar soundtrack on the farm this time of year.
Cozy Companionship
While the outdoor chores can be demanding, we also cherish the slower, quieter pace that winter brings. With fewer crowds and a respite from the summer heat, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the simple pleasures of farm life with close family and friends. We often spend weekend mornings sipping hot coffee and watching the sunrise together, chatting about the changing seasons and planning for the year ahead.
Our educational programs for children also continue throughout the winter, albeit with a cozier, more intimate feel. Bundled up in warm layers, young visitors explore our nature trails, learning about animal tracks, identifying evergreen plants, and discovering the hidden beauty of the dormant landscape. Indoors, they enjoy hands-on activities like making birdfeeders, crafting seasonal decorations, and experimenting with seed germination.
Farm Life in the Winter
Outdoor Work
Beyond the essential winterization tasks, our team also uses this quieter time to tackle larger outdoor projects. We may spend a crisp, sunny afternoon pruning fruit trees, repairing fences, or constructing new cold frames for the upcoming growing season. The gentle hum of power tools and the satisfying crunch of sawdust underfoot are the soundtrack to these productive days.
Of course, we make sure to balance our outdoor work with plenty of time to simply enjoy the winter wonderland around us. A brisk walk through the snow-covered fields or a game of snowball volleyball with the family can be the perfect midday break.
Indoor Pursuits
When the weather becomes too blustery for comfortable outdoor work, we shift our focus to indoor tasks and projects. In the cozy farmhouse kitchen, we experiment with hearty, seasonal recipes, preserving the last of our autumn harvest and testing new farm-to-table dishes. The aroma of simmering soups, roasting vegetables, and freshly baked bread fills the air, drawing us in from the chilly outdoors.
Our team also uses the winter months to plan and prepare for the upcoming growing season. We review seed catalogs, sketch out garden layouts, and organize our seed starting supplies. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year and make strategic plans for the seasons to come.
Embracing the Cold Season
Preparing the Farm
As the first flakes of winter begin to fall, we shift into high gear to ready the farm for the colder months ahead. Our livestock receive extra bedding and nutritious feed to help them stay warm and healthy. We insulate exposed water pipes, secure any loose boards or shingles, and ensure our cold storage facilities are functioning properly.
One of our favorite wintertime traditions is decorating the farmhouse and barn with festive, natural touches. We gather pinecones, dried flowers, and evergreen boughs to craft rustic wreaths, garlands, and table centerpieces. These homemade decorations add a warm, cozy ambiance to our spaces, both for our own enjoyment and to welcome visitors during the holiday season.
Enjoying the Outdoors
While the lure of a crackling fireplace and a good book can be strong, we also make sure to spend ample time outdoors, soaking in the serene beauty of winter. Bundled up in our warmest layers, we venture out for invigorating hikes along our nature trails, scanning the landscape for animal tracks and identifying the hardy plants that persist through the cold.
On clear, crisp evenings, we often gather the family for stargazing sessions, marveling at the brilliant display of constellations overhead. The kids delight in spotting shooting stars and identifying the familiar patterns in the night sky. These quiet moments of wonder and connection are a cherished part of our winter experience.
Staying Comfortable
Of course, keeping warm and comfortable is key during the chilly winter months. In addition to our insulated winter gear, we rely on a variety of tactics to stay cozy, both indoors and out. Offering steaming mugs of hot apple cider, herbal tea, or rich hot chocolate is an instant mood-booster, as is wrapping up in soft, plush blankets by the fireplace.
For those times when we need to venture into the cold, we make sure to have readily available supplies like hand and toe warmers, extra-thick socks, and insulated gloves. And when we return to the farmhouse, a soak in the clawfoot tub or a session in the sauna helps to thaw our chilled bodies and soothe our weary muscles.
Community and Connections
Neighbors and Friends
One of the true joys of winter on the farm is the opportunity to connect with our close-knit community of neighbors and friends. We often host cozy gatherings and potlucks, sharing homemade seasonal dishes and swapping stories of our wintertime adventures.
These shared experiences help us to not only stay warm, but also to foster a deeper sense of belonging and support. We lean on each other during the more challenging chores, offering an extra set of hands or a sympathetic ear. And we celebrate the simple pleasures of the season together, whether it’s sledding down the back hill or sipping hot cider around the firepit.
Seasonal Gatherings
As the holiday season approaches, our farm becomes a hub of festive activity. We welcome visitors to our annual wreath-making workshop, where they can craft beautiful, fragrant decorations to adorn their own homes. And our winter solstice celebration is a beloved tradition, as we gather to honor the changing of the seasons with music, storytelling, and a feast of locally sourced ingredients.
These seasonal events are not just a chance to share our love of farm life, but also to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural rhythms that guide our daily lives. By coming together to celebrate the winter’s arrival, we cultivate a sense of community, gratitude, and wonder that sustains us through the colder, darker months.
Whether we’re bundled up for essential outdoor tasks or cozying up indoors for quality time with loved ones, winter on Crooked Pines Farm is a season of quiet reflection, joyful celebration, and a deep, abiding connection to the natural world around us. We invite you to visit us and experience the magic of this special time of year.
