Farm Chronicles Student Publication - December Edition

The Farm Chronicles is about what happens at Emerson Farm. It includes recipes, facts about plants and animals, and more. 

Winter Solstice at Emerson Farm 

by Lillie C. and Tula M.

On December 21, in the northern hemisphere the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky making it the shortest day of the year.  This day is called the winter solstice.  After December 21, the days begin to get longer again creating more light during the day.  However, all days are twenty four hours long including December 21^st.   

During the winter at Emerson Farm our animals prepare for the solstice by fluffing up their feathers and getting thicker coats.  Our farmer, David Cloniger, explained to us that the sheep require hay in the winter time because there is not fresh grass for them to eat.  Also, the chickens lay fewer eggs during the colder months.  Currently, there is only one hen laying eggs.  Winter is a time of rest for all living things. 

Student photo of sheep enjoying grass in warmer months. In the winter they eat hay. 

Obituary for Cross Bite the Hen

by Ella McN. and Lily S.

Cross Bite was a friendly white and brown pullet.  That means that she was five months old.  She was called Cross Bite because she had a genetic beak problem that made her beak cross to the other side like an “x”.  It was discovered that she had been hurt on November 9, 2018.  She was laying on the ground not moving.  We put her on some straw and left her alone.  The next day she was dead.  We are unsure what caused her death.  She was very playful.  She would hop out of the fence and get fed before all the other chickens.  Sometimes she would follow David around hoping for food.   We miss her very much.  Cross Bite ~ July, 2018 – November 10, 2018

Farm Chronicles Staff:

Lillie C., Tula M., Ella McN., Lily S. and Claudia, C’deBaca (faculty advisor)