4 August 2026

Yesterday’s deluge of rain brought Briden Farm to a standstill.

That’s not something I say very often.

Normally, rain simply means putting on another layer and carrying on. But yesterday was one of those rare days when common sense had to win. The hillsides and woodland trails leading to Mary’s Barn and the Bell Road Pasture had become far too slippery to safely travel on foot.

Sometimes the hardest decision is knowing when not to make the trip.

This morning, my first stop was the Bell Road Pasture.

After yesterday’s storm, I wanted to make absolutely sure the sheep had come through it without any problems.

Thankfully, they had.

The pasture had held up well, everyone looked content, and seeing the flock peacefully grazing was a tremendous relief.

From there, it was on to Mary’s Barn.

Before doing anything else, I checked the hay, hoping yesterday’s rain hadn’t found its way in under the sill. Thankfully, everything was dry, exactly as I’d hoped.

With that worry behind me, it was time to milk Patsy and look after the goats, rabbits, and quail. Everyone was doing well, and before long it was time to turn my attention to today’s sheep move.

Fortunately, I’d already carried the two 164-foot electric net fences out to the Bell Road Pasture a few days ago, so they were waiting there for today’s move.

That made things much easier.

All that remained was trimming the new fence line, setting up the next paddock, and opening the fence.

Compared to last week’s half-kilometre journey into the Bell Road field, today’s move was almost relaxing.

Barbara, Cloud, and Dolly quietly led the way once again, while the younger ewes and this year’s lambs followed them onto another section of fresh pasture.

Watching them settle into new grass never gets old.

By the time I arrived home, it was only a little after two o’clock.

That surprised me.

This is one of the busier days in our grazing rotation, yet after checking the sheep, looking after the barn, milking Patsy, trimming the fence line, moving the flock, and walking home, there was still a good part of the afternoon ahead.

It made me stop and think.

For quite some time I’ve wondered how Country Air Radio could fit alongside Briden Farm.

Today reminded me that perhaps the time has been there all along.

Not an entire day.

Not every day.

But enough time to begin making a few calls, connecting with local businesses, and continuing to build something I’ve believed in from the very beginning.

Sometimes it isn’t about finding more hours.

Sometimes it’s simply recognizing the ones you already have.

Another pleasant surprise came from TikTok.

The video of our recent sheep move into the Bell Road Pasture has now been viewed more than 1,400 times, receiving dozens of hearts along the way. For someone whose farm videos have traditionally reached only a few hundred people, that’s encouraging. More importantly, it tells me that people enjoy seeing authentic moments from life on a small Nova Scotia homestead.

That same video has also been added to our profile on Find a Farmer, helping introduce Briden Farm to an even wider audience.

After missing lunch while working outdoors, supper came a little early.

Tonight’s menu was simple: a home-raised lamb burger on bread with mayonnaise, alongside pan-fried crinkle-cut fries cooked in olive oil and seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper.

Nothing fancy.

Just good food after another honest day’s work.

By 6:45 this evening, the chickens, pigs, Maple, Brook, and the rest of the home-side crew were all fed and settled for the night.

With the chores finished, I sat down with a small bowl of ice cream and reflected on the day.

It’s interesting how quickly perspective can change.

Only a few days ago I was wondering how I was going to keep Briden Farm going.

Today, I found myself looking ahead instead of looking back.

There is still plenty of work to do.

There are still challenges ahead.

But sometimes all we need to see is the next bend in the trail.

And today…

I think I saw it.

Until next time, from all of us here at Briden Farm, thank you for following along, and may God bless. 🌿🐑🐐🍔🍨