Ernest Stephenson:  

Two plus years ago, after practicing medicine for forty years, I decided if I hadn't figured it out by then, I should quit the practicing and retire......So I did.....However, as the better part of the Class of '66 has probably figured out by now, "If you rest, you rust!" So with that worn out cliche' in mind, I looked around for something new to do while still in the waning years of my professional career.... I had loved agriculture at Cottage Grove High. Some of you ladies may still remember how I enjoyed clumping into class still wearing my muddy(?) boots after a field trip to a local farm or dairy. I am proud to say that tradition continues!!....It has, however, been greatly modified by my wife (of 35 years), Karin. You see, I decided to start a hobby farm. So what is a hobby farm you ask? It is a place where vestiges of a rural lifestyle are maintained. Profits give way to keeping farm critters who are more pet than income producers. Produce may find its way to the local farmers' market, or in special cases, select restaurants. In my case, garden stuff and fruit goes to local family and friends. My little two acres of ground sports paddocks for three dairy goats and a buck, three hives of bees, ten chickens and about twenty fruit trees. I learned early that far more people like goat cheese (Chavre', queso blanco, kafir... Take your pick) than prefer the milk itself, so I ...Expand for more