Last blog post...

And Another Good-bye

by Sharon Gaughan, PCLF Education Program Director

This will be my final post on this hen blog.

During the years that I have worked at the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, I have always been fascinated by and involved with the Learning Farm chickens.  In fall 2012, due to an opening up of my work responsibilities and schedule, I was able to take on the management and care of our chicken flock – including the exciting task of starting a new flock from day-old chicks this summer.  

Also last fall, I took over the writing for this hen blog.  If you have been following this blog, you have traveled this chicken journey with me.
 

Unfortunately for me, the care of the Learning Farm chickens – and, I’m guessing, the writing for this hen blog – will soon be taken over by others.  The education program director position which I currently hold is being phased out, and I will no longer be working at the Learning Farm after this week.  As you might imagine, this is a sad time for me.

While growing up in Chicago, I had a strong childhood dream to live on a farm.  I watched the then-popular T.V. series “Lassie” with deep envy.  I so wanted to be Timmy, living on a farm with a farm dog of my very own. Fast forward many years later, and I still do not live on a farm, nor do I have a farm dog – but for a while I was able to make my livelihood on this farm (and, well, I do have a cat that nine years ago was born on this farm!).

My childhood dream was not quite fulfilled, but I was closer than I had been – and I poured myself into this job, heart and soul.  I learned so much while working here – about farming, about farm animals (particularly chickens), and about myself.  I will always be grateful for the opportunity to explore my inner farmer.

I have had the good fortune to have worked for many fascinating people and wonderful organizations in my life.  I am thankful for that.  I am hopeful that I will continue to be as fortunate, as I explore what’s next for me – both professionally and personally.

I've always enjoyed writing, and have truly enjoyed this first experience writing for a blog.  For this reason, I’m considering starting my own blog in early 2014.  This new blog won’t focus entirely on chickens, but backyard chickens are likely to figure prominently (especially since the Lake County board recently passed an ordinance allowing backyard chickens on ¼ acre lots in unincorporated Lake County –  at last it's legal for me to have my own backyard chickens!).

In addition to chickens though, I expect I might dabble in a wide spectrum of suburban homesteading and health-conscious topics – growing, preserving, and cooking with veggies, fruits, and herbs; making certain foods from scratch (granola, yogurt, cheese – and maybe chicken soup!); crafting of various types; and physical fitness (with a particular focus on yoga).  If a blog of that type might be of interest to you, please feel free to contact me at my personal email address (smgaughan@att.net) and I will be sure to let you know when it’s up and running.

Until then, I wish for you the happiest of holidays – and lives filled with peace and joy, and dreams fulfilled.