Introducing Ralph Rice
by Ralph Rice
I live, love, and farm with my wife Connie on 73 acres in
northeast Ohio. We have 7 children and 10 grandchildren. We raise Hereford
cattle, feeder pigs, laying hens, and a small flock of Kathdin sheep. We sell
meat direct to many city customers. We keep a few hives of bees, make maple
syrup, and raise a large garden. We use our Percheron draft horses for much of
our farm's power, but keep a small tractor for its PTO and to make up time lost
due to my offfarm job. We raise some field corn each year, practice a form
of intensive grazing, and make hay. I log a little each year with the horses.
Logging keeps all of us in shape and is a chance to share the benefits of real
horse power with the public. I have a never ending supply of farming techniques
I want to trial, as well as other horse powered ventures I intend to try.
I am 43 years old. I was raised on fresh cow milk and homemade bread. I
have churned butter, made ice cream, peeled apples, and shelled beans. I can
drive horses, tractors, and some people crazy. I play a bit on the guitar, sing
for family and friends, and enjoy good black coffee. I believe that nothing
dries wet gloves better than heat from a woodstove and that bundled under a
homemade quilt is the best way to sleep. I like baby animals, a good border
collie dog, and hugs. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of
mankind and that America is the best place in the world to live. I know nothing
beats a good fence, a good neighbor, and a good name. I believe in telling the
truth, keeping my word, and spanking my children. I like a firm handshake and a
smile from a stranger. The sweetest music I ever heard is when a sleepy child
wraps his arms around my neck and says," I love you, Daddy." Ralph
Rice's column "Reflections" appears regularly in
Rural
Heritage.
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