If one word could describe this past week at Briden Farm, it would be progress.
Some of it came through hard work. Some through careful planning. Some through patience. And some simply by taking the time to observe.
The week really began with our Birthday BBQ and Landowner Appreciation Gathering, where we celebrated two birthdays while thanking the neighbours and landowners who generously allow Briden Farm to graze livestock on their properties. Although we own 22 acres, the trust of those neighbours has helped us care for livestock across roughly 117 acres. That’s something we never take for granted.
Then came the heat.
Friday was one of the hottest days we’ve experienced this summer, reaching at least 31°C, with the humidex feeling much closer to 40. Instead of one round of chores, the weather demanded three. Morning. Afternoon. Evening. The sheep emptied an entire water bucket between morning and mid-afternoon, reminding us that on days like that, extra water checks aren’t optional—they’re essential.
Even in the heat, there were bright spots.
The lambs confidently followed the flock into fresh pasture, showing just how much they’ve learned over the past few weeks.
Patsy, our young dairy goat, continued to surprise us. What started as a battle on the milk stand has become a lesson in patience and trust. By the end of the week she calmly stood while we milked more than a litre, and each day she’s becoming a little more comfortable.
Our DOGOITM GPS virtual fence project also reached an exciting milestone, with both collars responding almost identically during field testing. There’s still more work to do before Roscoe and River begin training, but it’s encouraging to see the system performing so consistently.
There were quieter moments too.
I spent some time with Blue before she leaves for her new home, watched Bear discover the pond while following Roscoe and River, and had one of those conversations with a neighbour that reminds you Briden Farm is built as much on trust as it is on fences.
We’ve also started refining how we manage the farm itself. Buying feed a month at a time, planning ahead, and documenting what we’ve learned over the past six years are all steps toward making Briden Farm more manageable—not just for us, but someday for anyone who comes alongside to help.
That’s one of the reasons we’re building the Briden Farm Operations Handbook. It’s becoming more than a collection of notes. It’s a way of preserving what we’ve learned so it can continue helping others long into the future.
This week reminded me that farming is rarely just one thing.
Some days are exhausting.
Some weeks are heartbreaking.
Others are deeply satisfying.
Most are a little of all three.
If you’d like to read the complete story—including the Birthday BBQ and Landowner Appreciation Gathering, moving the sheep, preparing for shearing, Bear’s latest adventures, Patsy’s progress on the milk stand, and our plans for the week ahead—you’ll find the full article waiting for you at BridenFarm.com.
Thank you for following along, and until next week…
Brian Hurlburt
Briden Farm, Bear River, Nova Scotia
