The Craig Farm is located in north Georgia. Usually we have fairly mild winters with no more than a couple of days in a row where temperatures are below freezing. Currently we are in the path of an expected ice storm that's projected to hit this weekend. We've been actively preparing the farm.

The first task was building a shelter for the Miniature Herefords. Most of the time, the cattle don't require more than a wind break in winter. With the current forecast showing up to 1 inch of ice and prolonged power outages, we wanted to make sure the cows had protection. This structure is made of hay bales with a 2x6 frame roof covered in the thickest mil tarp we could get. 

We keep a Freeze Miser on the cow trough all winter. Unless pipes freeze, they should have drinkable water. Although sweet feed is usually reserved as a treat, we bought some extra sweet feed and cattle cubes particularly for our nursing cows and calves.

The next project was stuffing a bunch of hay in the chicken coop. The hay is about 4 inches deep in the coop. It will not only serve as insulating bedding but will give the birds something to do in the event they have to be closed inside for an extended period of time.

The rabbits and quail are in the basement so we aren't as worried about the cold for them. I am deep cleaning cages today in case it's too icy to clean them later. I'll also be filling every bucket we own with water for the animals. Just in case. 


Are you expecting anything from this winter storm? What are you doing to prepare?

We are just two weeks into the new year, but already I am getting my garden started. It's a perfect time to plant some cool-weather vegetable seeds indoors under grow lights to be transplanted to the garden later. I typically don't plant anything outside until mid to late February. 

Today my seedling tray is filled with a few varieties of cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, and kale. The broccoli I'm trying this year are two heading varieties called Rasmus and Bravado plus a Purple Sprouting broccoli. We have 3 types of cabbage as well: two purple cabbages called Tete Noire and Kalibos alongside a Napa cabbage called Hilton. The kale is Blue Curled and Ragged Jack. I also planted 5 Color and Vulcan Swiss Chard.

When it's time to direct sow seeds into the early spring garden, we'll be planting beets, carrots, a variety of salad greens, and my personal favorite: peas. I am trying out several new-to-me seed varieties this year alongside some old favorites. 

I'm not sure how many people enjoy reading seed variety lists, but I do. Here's our full cool weather seed list for 2026:

Beets: Golden
Broccoli: Bravado, Purple Sprouting, Rasmus
Cabbage: Hilton, Kalibos, Tete Noire
Carrots: Chantenay Red, d'Anvers Half Long, Lila Lu Sang
Chard: 5 Color, Rhubarb Supreme
Kale: Blue Curled, Russian Red
Lettuce: Flashy Gem, Forellenschluss, Tennis Ball, Tom Thumb
Peas: Carouby de Maussane, Green Beauty, Mammoth Melting, Sugar Bon


What are you planting in your garden this year? Have you started any seeds yet?

Each year we like to set a few goals for the farm to give us direction. Here is a look at what we hope to achieve in 2026.

The Garden
Grow enough vegetables for our use to eat fresh and freeze or can.

Replace mole-damaged berry plants.

Grow a small market garden of vegetables and flowers.

The Rabbits
Evaluate my Dwarf Hotots fairly - I have a tendency to be overly critical of potential breeding stock. I need to slow down, compare each animal to the breed standard and do so at an appropriate age. 

Attend the Dwarf Hotot national show in Ohio. 

Consider adding a second more utilitarian breed.

The Birds
Hatch at least one batch of Sussex chickens. Keep the best, eat the rest. 

Attend 1 or more poultry shows while also finding a good whitening shampoo.

Gain more knowledge on Coturnix quail body type to guide me in making the most of my breeding program.

The Cattle
Have more heifer calves. Not really something I can control, but it would be nice to be past the bull year we had!

Complete our corral.

Offer for sale nutritious grass-fed beef from our herd.

Begin the search for a new herd bull. 

Other
I have something I'm wanting to add to the farm. Something I've wanted for over a year. 2026 will hopefully be the year it happens. However, I don't want to say too much just in case my plan falls through.