The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

I was always an A student.  Actually, I couldn’t NOT be an A student.  After writing this week’s post, I think I could fairly say I was TRAPPED into being an A student.  I’m beginning to see how that…

If your doctor advised you to cut back and do less, could you do it?

I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 16 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For the transcript of this story…

It never occurred to me that cleaning my mother’s house would shed light on her fears.  But as we continue to work to revitalize the Sap Bush Farm House, more mysteries about her are solved…and revea…

We got a day off this week! Bob and I took off for a paddling trip to the Adirondacks, where I used to dream of buying a cabin with a fantasy $500,000 book advance.  On this day off, I got a chance t…

I’m 51 years old. I’ve spent nearly all those years living and working at Sap Bush Hollow Farm.  How is it that I still don’t know how to be a farmer?

I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season…

I received a letter a few weeks back from a woman who found an old copy of one of my most popular books, Radical Homemakers, in her public library.  “I want to become someone I believe in,” she wrote…

What will it take to get this farm to run smoothly and efficiently?

I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 11 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For a written version of this sto…

s it possible to lose a beloved parent without an existential life crisis?  Oh if only…

I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 10 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. For the writte…

https://www.sapbushfarmstore.com/s/stories/the-all-girls-tractor-schoolFarming requires everyone to work hard, and to take pride and joy in doing so.  But there’s a long tradition of dividing the lab…

My mother’s callous attitude about death could come across as shocking to those who didn’t know her.  But her views were hard-won, and they’re getting me through the tough work we face here at Sap Bu…

Efficiency.  That’s key to profitability on a farm.  Everything must contribute to the well-being of the whole. If it doesn’t contribute, it must go.  But what, exactly, counts as a valid contributio…

This year marked my first Mothers’ Day without a Mom.  I didn’t think it mattered much, in light of the fact that I abhor the day and refuse to mark it.  But that doesn’t make me celebrate my mother …

I normally like to write alone, but this week’s essay was written in collaboration with Kit, my emotionally avoidant dog.  It’s about the importance of a time-out.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re list…

Final exams and final projects, lambing season, the loss of a local microbrewery, spring cleaning.  It’s been a busy week here at Sap Bush Hollow, with  lots of change and lots of surrender.   I’m Sh…

For three years, I’ve been gently encouraging folks, even farmers and small business owners, to consider abandoning their social media accounts.  But today, I’m not going to beat around the bush.  I’…

It’s hard to ignore the news these days, even though I think a lot of farmers prefer to.  We’re keenly aware that agrarian political views vary widely, and rural neighbors can’t afford too many polit…

Winter is loosening her grip slowly this year, matching our emotions as we move into our first season without Mom here on Sap Bush Hollow Farm.  We’re doing as well as can be expected…in spite of my …

It's the final episode of the season, and we're going to explore what it takes to make it in this agrarian way of life when aptitude isn't in the cards.  For a written copy of this piece, visit The R…

Family farm life is rife with daily disasters.  If we measure our happiness based on our ability to avert them, we’ll never be content.  The trick is to enjoy the life in spite of them.

I’m Shannon Ha…

Living rural has typically necessitated car ownership.  Our family tries to minimize that expense for ecological, financial and quality of life reasons.  But now both our daughters are driving….What …