Small Farmer's Journal Draft Horse Equipment Auction

Small Farmer’s Equipment Auction, Part One

I spent hours as a kid spray painting horse drawn equipment—a paid chore rewarded with a calculated wage that encouraged steadfast effort.   John Deere green and International Red by the case full.  The mowers, cultivators, and plows would then be loaded onto a flatbed trailer, strapped down, and hauled to auction. 

Once upon a time, in our country’s history, all farming was done with horses.  Along came the steam engine, the tractor and the heavy iron equipment became part of the landscape—tucked away in corners of the parcel, disappearing underneath the tall grass and weeds. 

The Small Farmer’s Journal Horse Drawn Equipment Auction (my father-in-law’s auction) has been taking place for 34 years.  Our parents’ shared interest in using draft horses for farming is how my husband and I met, 30 years ago.  This past weekend, my husband and I struck out with our boys and drove North to Pablo to pick up some pieces of equipment to haul to the Auction in Madras, Oregon the third weekend in April. 

The trip went so smoothly compared to what could have happened.  Rusty relics could have been buried in all areas of the seller’s place; as was, the mowers and cultivators were close to the driveway and loading went smoothly with the aid of a skid steer.    

Early April went the way of the previous 2013 days- in the blink of an eye- and now we are en route.  It is Baby Ruben’s first trip out West to visit my husband’s family and we are blessed to stay with loving friends along the way.  We are too young to be the typical haulers of these iron implements—Spongebob (pillowcase) looks out of place waving out the back window to passersby as we cruise down the road.   When we stop for fuel, those reminded of the old days quiz us about the load: “I recognize the mower from my days as a boy on the farm.” 

Next week, I will conclude with Part Two of this journey.  Comment on the blog, www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or at www.facebook.com/SustainablySadie.  Thanks for reading! 

Twin Bits

The Buy Local Business Expo will be held at the fairgrounds on 4 May 9 am to 2 pm.  There are still a few vendor spaces available for Ruby Valley businesses.  Call BoB Reimard at 842-7900 to reserve a space. 

From TBS Calendar:

Wed April 17:  Big Hole Watershed mtg @ MT Room, 7 pm

April 19-20:  District Music Festival @ Deer Lodge

Mon April 22:  No School, Spring Break

April 21- 28:  Close-Up Trip to Washington D.C.

Tues April 30:  Nat’l Honor Society Induction/ Banquet, 6 pm

Auction, Part 2

AT the end of our journey to central Oregon.  We arrive at the Madras Fairgrounds and are met with big hugs.  Rows of equipment are beginning to come together.  As the week progresses, more and more iron equipment arrives.  Shiny horse-drawn mowers, rakes, cultivators, and plows, rusty piles of harness, wagon tongues, eveners, single-trees, double-trees.  Chariots, people haulers, sleighs, wagons, fore carts and Family!

There are more young families than you’d expect—babies in front packs and toddlers in cowboy hats following in their father’s footsteps.  And there are those of the generation that farmed with horses because there was no other way and the grand parents may have a new cane, a new small dog but the same warm and friendly smile. 

An army of volunteers meets the trailer loads of equipment—fork lifts move the heavy equipment out to the yard.  There is an indoor arena full of Western treasures, bridles, pack equipment, kiche Americana and carriages.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the singsong chant from the Auctioneer can be heard all over the fairgrounds.  Even though everyone has a cell phone, it can be easy to forget what decade it is.  This life style reminds us of decades gone by, of a slower time and for those of us crazy enough—provides us young folk with the opportunity to farm and sustain our country life style.  Instead of farming in high speed fashion with a powerful tractor, the people at this sale are content to spend the day behind a team of horses—working with the animals to till the land.  Time slows down and the moment is all that matters—that zen-like peace is hard to find at the busy Small Farmer’s Journal Draft Horse Equipment Auction and Swap Meet but you will find the happy smiles of people who consider you family just for coming through the gate. 

The same weekend, my sister-in-law attended a chicken show in Portland—a cacophony of roosters and feathers on par with the cinematic parody, “Best in Show.” One of our most favorite parts of our journeying westward is stopping by my sister-in-law’s winery (Domaine Pouillon) in Lyle, Washington, on the North rim of the Columbia Gorge.     

We are lucky to have the resources we do as venture into our sustainable lifestyle.  If you have any questions for Justin or I regarding draft horse equipment or sustainably please ask at sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  Thanks for reading!

Twin Bits

The Buy Local Business Expo will be held at the fairgrounds on 4 May 9 am to 2 pm.  There are still a few vendor spaces available for Ruby Valley businesses.  Call BoB Reimard at 842-7900 to reserve a space.

                               There is a Mother’s Day Brunch

    May 12th 10:00am to 1:00pm at the historic Ruby Hotel on Main Street -Sheridan a fundraiser to benefit Jackson’s Garden.

Buffet to include breakfast casseroles and strata's, quiche, potatoes, fresh fruit, muffins, croissants with a custom dessert bar including assorted cheese cakes, carrot cake, pie, etc. Coffee, tea and juice included. Mimosas available!!

   $20 per person, ages 12 and under $10, age 3 and under free. 

   Reservations recommended call Carla at 842-7956