FARMING WITH A BABY.

Several farmers this year have asked us how the baby has affected our farming––as if to ask, "is it possible?"––and generally we say it's like having another piece of livestock to take care of. And to some extent, that's definitely true. At times, it has felt strangely similar. But I don't want those farmers to get the wrong impression. Further has decidedly changed a few things about our lives as farmers.Most obviously, the baby has limited the amount of work that Hannah has been able to do in the fields. We have been creative in opening up ways for her to help––harvesting, washing or cultivating while Further is either asleep, in my arms or in the carrier––but most of her physical labor has been limited. Many days have been too hot for Hannah to be out in the field with Further in a sling or backpack carrier. Other times, the work is just too low to the ground, too heavy, too awkward to do with a baby in tow. So the first thing I would say to anyone wanting to have a baby on the farm? Count mama out a little for the first year (we'll get back to you on how year two goes).Also, count out break times. In order for one of us to do something we may want to do, the other watches Further, typically bouncing him up and down. If he is awake, one of us has to be watching him––even if one of us is hurt, sick or tired. The slings and carriers help, absolutely, but he doesn't always love them. He's a bit of a mover and shaker––a literal one. So this baby thing ends up not just being full time, but all the time. In other words, there is not much in the way of breaks. There is one person doing something, and the other tending the baby.That being said, it feels to us like farming prepared us well for these challenges. We are fit enough to handle long days of work, then long evenings of baby play. We are efficient enough to make sure everything––the farm, the animals, the baby––still gets the attention it needs. We are patient enough to treat all our time with Further––however restrictive to what we need or want to do––as beneficial to his growth. Because if we've learned anything about raising animals over the years it's that patience is vitally important, as impatience compromises the quality of what you're doing––in this case, raising a happy, healthy baby––and you're own sanity.Breastfeeding helps––genuinely helps. Breastfeeding allows Hannah to quickly and efficiently satisfy or sooth Further when he's upset or hungry. Say what you will, but cosleeping has also been an irreplaceable blessing, as there is no getting out of bed to tend the baby in the middle of the night. Hannah just rolls over, lets him nurse (though sometimes I slip and call it "feed" which is a funny, and somewhat accurate description), then goes back to sleep. She can also adroitly (and covertly) nurse him in restaurants, in coffee shops, at market with no problems. Most of the time, it goes completely unnoticed by people around us. And most of the time, nursing solves everything.However, not to get all cliche on you, but what they say is true––parenthood is the greatest joy. It fulfills some deep-seeded biological imperative that is not only satisfying but, indeed, joyful. If you are in a good place to handle having a child––and who better than farmers?––you will be rewarded for this work tenfold. It definitely adds more challenges, but like with any farm animal, it's worth it.- Jesse.