4 Wiley Farm
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Winners
  • For Sale
    • Cows
    • Semen
  • Why Minis?
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • In Motion
  • Shop Our Farm
    • Merchandise
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Winners
  • For Sale
    • Cows
    • Semen
  • Why Minis?
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • In Motion
  • Shop Our Farm
    • Merchandise

This is Us​ - our life, our story, our farm

The Benefits of 4-H

2/21/2022

0 Comments

 
Some may say that the agricultural community is the foundation of our country.  The unseen heroes that work from sun up to sun down providing for their families and the rest of the world.  They are the ones with the true grit and determination when everything is against them.  From fires and drought to disease and unpredictable financial markets, they never give up.  Farmers have a deep founded love for the land that flows into an unwavering love for our country.  

If you were to ask most people in agriculture, I bet almost all of them would tell you that they got their start in 4-H.  
Picture
For our family, 4-H is where it all started.  We live in a rural community so it only made sense that our kids would be a part of the program.  What we didn't know is how much it would teach us.  We had no idea what we were doing and we had a club and club leaders that held our hands through that first year and taught us what we didn't even know we didn't know.  

Read More
0 Comments

Why We Keep Going When Everything Goes Wrong

4/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Farming is not an easy life.  You spend most of your days at the mercy of the weather and have animals that can get sick at any moment.  Our jobs are to be problem solvers and if you haven’t learned to be flexible, you are going to have an even rougher time. 

It’s no secret that last year was a pretty rough year here on the farm.  Just about everything that could break did  (see here and here).  We were pretty fortunate on the animal front and didn’t have an excessive amount of vet bills, but we always have enough to keep the checkbook on edge. 
Picture
When we first got into Miniature Herefords, one of the goals was to build our herd to the point that we could sell a few animals each year and pay for our kid’s Christian school education.  Every year about this time we file our taxes and ask ourselves why in the world we do this.  We would be farther ahead to just pay the tuition and forget the farm.

Read More
0 Comments

The Character of Honesty

5/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Honesty can be defined as the quality of being truthful. 

​It may be a given that we should always be honest and truthful, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.  Honesty is so important to God that He made it one of the 10 commandments.  
Picture
We have always told our kids that it is better to be honest and risk getting in trouble than to lie and be sure they are going to get in trouble.  ​

Read More
0 Comments

The Sale Isn't Over When You Cash the Check

9/23/2019

0 Comments

 
It is exciting to sell cows. 

Sometimes it takes years to get that sale.  Whether it is because it has taken years to build your herd to the point where you have enough to sell, or if it is waiting on that cow to have her heifer.  

The cattle industry isn't something that creates overnight success.  It is a long, hard process.  So, when you do finally get that sale, it is really exciting.  Plus, your bank account is usually looking pretty grim by this point.  
Picture
However, just because you have a check in hand and the cow has been loaded on the trailer doesn't mean your work is done.  

Read More
0 Comments

The Character of a Hand Written Thank You

4/15/2019

0 Comments

 
A thank you note is an expression of gratitude.  A way to show someone how much they and their actions mean to you.  

In the day of digital communication, it seems the art of pen and paper is becoming just a memory.  

There is certainly a place for digital communication.  Waiting in the car pool line, for the click list grocery order to be loaded in the car, or going through the car wash are all great times to pick up the phone and shoot off a quick text or e-mail of thanks.  But, taking five or ten minutes at home, with personalized stationery and favorite pen, takes the note to a whole new level.  

Read More
0 Comments

The Unsung Hero

6/4/2018

0 Comments

 
Summer is under way and there is a whole new set of activities awaiting us.  There are summer sports, 4-H meetings, summer camp, jackpot shows, Bible school, holiday parades and activities, county fairs, etc.  

​Most of these activities would not be possible if it wasn't for the unsung hero...

​The all-important volunteer.
Picture
The person who gives up their time, their vacation days, and many times, money from their own pocket, just so we can show up and have fun.

Read More
0 Comments

All That You Do...

5/21/2018

0 Comments

 
All that you do
Do with your might.
Things done in halves
​Are never done right.
This quote is hanging on our wall and it is one I am always reminding the boys of.

​We all often get run down and tired and just want to get it over with, but kids tend to wear down faster and have more difficulty seeing the finish line.

Read More
0 Comments

The Character of a Handshake

4/2/2018

0 Comments

 
The coveted moment in the show ring is when the judge turns towards you, tips his hat and shakes your hand.  The moment that crowns a champion.
 
A simple gesture, a moment in time…a world of unspoken words. 
 
A handshake is a greeting, a farewell, an expression of congratulations, a condolence, the beginning of negotiations, the sealing of a deal, a first and a final impression.
Picture
Yet, so many people miss the gravity and importance of this unspoken moment.  A good handshake speaks volumes about a person, and a not-so-good handshake can end a moment before it even begins.  

Read More
0 Comments

    Let's Connect

    Picture

    Author

    Hello!  I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country.  We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way.  I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm.

    Shop Our Farm

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    10 On The 10th
    Books
    Calving
    Character
    Everything Else
    Food
    Hay
    How To
    Photography
    Showing
    Things We Love

    RSS Feed

    Popular Posts

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

The Cows

​Why Minis?
Our Winners
For Sale

The Family

Home
About Us
Contact Us
Disclosure

Follow Us

Blog - Down on the Farm
Instagram
You Tube
Facebook

Associations

​Miniature Hereford Breeders Association
American Hereford Association
Ohio Cattlemen's Association