Mahaffy Family Farm
Peter and Kelly Mahaffy, along with their three daughters Sienna (5 1/2), Ada (4) and Kaia(2) own River Bend Jerseys, a 200 acre intensive grazing dairy that stretches two and a half miles along the Coos River in Southwestern Oregon, 12 miles east of Coos Bay. Peter’s grandfather purchased the farm in the 1930’s, and after graduating from college and working for three and a half years - learning how to intensively graze dairy cows - Peter returned with Kelly in 2003, and they couldn’t be more proud to be the third generation to milk cows on the land.
Mahaffy
Two New Babies -2
0:57Gathering shavings for the baby calf.Two New Babies -2
Two New Babies
0:49I-Can cleans her 15-minute-old calf.Two New Babies
Red Peppers
1:53The Mahaffy family loads up on red peppers. See what they plan to do with them.Red Peppers
Crushing Tomatoes
0:55Kaia shows us how to crush tomatoes to make sauce.Crushing Tomatoes
Big Bag of Beans
0:36What colors do green, yellow and purple beans turn?Big Bag of Beans
Fine art of blackberry picking
1:12Learn the technique of picking blackberries!Fine art of blackberry picking
It All Starts with the Soil
1:01Take a look at the natural soil on the Mahaffy's farm - it's quite clear why their fields are lush and thriving!It All Starts with the Soil
Blackberry Jam
2:23It's apron time at the Mahaffy house! Kelly and the girls take their fresh picked berries and cook up a delicious looking jam.Blackberry Jam
Blackberry Freezer Jam
2:23It's apron time at the Mahaffy house! Kelly and the girls take their fresh picked berries and cook up a delicious looking jam.Blackberry Freezer Jam
Kaia Snapping Beans
1:02Kaia has her own way of snappy beans.....Snack, snap, snack snap......Kaia Snapping Beans
Blackberry and Sour Cream Pie
2:10Check out this delicious combination of end of the summer berries, and sour cream! A day at the farm is always busy, but Kelly and the girls make sure to save time for baking.Blackberry and Sour Cream Pie
Homemade Yogurt
2:24Kelly shows us how to make yogurt from scratch - just in case the Stonyfield runs out!Homemade Yogurt
Turnips For Grazing
1:11These turnips have a small bulb, but a lot of greenery on top! Perfect for grazing. Pete teaches us all about these special plants.Turnips For Grazing
Bean Picking
0:53Kelly and the girls find some might big beans in the garden. Time to change plans - bean picking and canning it is!Bean Picking
Pump and Berries
0:34It's time to turn the irrigation pump off. The girls help Kelly with the task and head on to pick some fresh berries.Pump and Berries
Tide Gate Repair
2:32A big job that has to get done! Check out the hard work that goes into repairing the ever important tide gate.Tide Gate Repair
Baby Chick and Mama Hen
0:24Watch this mama hen protect her new baby chick!Baby Chick and Mama Hen
Garlic Scape New Potatoes
2:54Kelly goes into the garden and picks a bunch of fixings for the family's favorite potatoes. Doesn't get much fresher than this!Garlic Scape New Potatoes
Grazed Turnips
0:23Pete tells us all about grazing turnips while the ladies munch away. A tasty pasture favorite!Grazed Turnips
Ada's Milking Instructions
2:48Ada shows us all the proper steps to milk a cow.Ada's Milking Instructions
Evening Cows
0:32Join the Mahaffys for a peaceful evening on their farm - while the cows munch and the girls play in the grass.Evening Cows
Baby Chick
0:46Kelly and the girls show us the newest addition to the hen and chicken family!Baby Chick
Shoulder Frog
0:45Ada finds a green little friend to take a ride on her shoulder!Shoulder Frog
Beach Crab
0:34Part of the fun on the beach? Catching and learning about ocean life! The Mahaffy gals are brave and let these little guys scurry all over them.Beach Crab
Cold Beach Day!
0:56The girls find plenty of fun to be had on the beach - even when the sun isn't shining!Cold Beach Day!
Ponies and Carts
1:15The Mahaffy gals teach us how to lead the ponies and carts.Ponies and Carts
Planting Tomatoes
1:21It's that time of year again. Get ready for tomato planting! Kelly and the girls get the garden going.Planting Tomatoes
Bees Return!
0:40The Mahaffy's bees have returned just in time for the summer. And, just in time for National Pollinator Week which was 6/18-6/24! Thanks bees, for making our food possible!Bees Return!
Planting Tomatoes
1:21Kelly and the girls start plantng the upcoming summer's tomato crop. These gals are expert gardeners!Planting Tomatoes
Memorial Day Parade
1:10The Mahaffys get the horses ready and head on down to the Memorial Day Parade.Memorial Day Parade
Kaia's Pet Chicken
1:03Kaia finds a new best friend....A patient, laid-back chicken! Who knew chickens liked trampolines?Kaia's Pet Chicken
Stuck in the Muck!
0:56After a wet spring on the farm, the ground gets quite muddy. Be carfeul, or you'll get stuck!Stuck in the Muck!
Baby calves like baby fingers!
0:22Kaia plays around with the calves - who really take a liking to her fingers!Baby calves like baby fingers!
Willows
0:44It's early spring in Oregon and the willows are in bloom. Kelly and the girls head outside to pick a few, and Ada replants them.Willows
Girls Loving Their Cows
0:49Once in a while, you just have to take a minute and love your cows :)Girls Loving Their Cows
Recycled Tomato Starters
0:37Kelly and Kaia start their seedlings in yogurt cups - a great way to give old packaging another life!Recycled Tomato Starters
Pete and Jack Wading
1:50When a rainy March floods out the farm, the only way to travel is on horseback.Pete and Jack Wading
Frog Eggs
1:41Kelly and the girls head out at dusk to gather frog eggs for school.Frog Eggs
A Walk in the Snow
0:22When life brings snow in March and workers can't make it to the farm - it's time to ride horses to the barn!A Walk in the Snow
Raised Beds - Complete!
1:14Creative use of recycled materials: Old recycled boards turned into a beautiful raised bed garden.Raised Beds - Complete!
March Snow
0:58A spring snow storm brings down the Myrtle trees throughout the Mahaffy farm. With the driveway blocked and limbs down everywhere, there is a lot of clean up to do!March Snow
Recycled Boards
0:54Kelly and the gals dig up some old boards that are perfect for their new raised bed garden.Recycled Boards
Farm Kid Slide
1:16Who needs a playground when you have a steep mound of dirt?Farm Kid Slide
Mooch, the Local Dog
0:28Mooch finds the perfect spot to stand....Mooch, the Local Dog
Digging Potatoes and a Surprise
0:50Somtimes you find more than just potatoes in the garden...Digging Potatoes and a Surprise
An Afternoon Drink
0:59Take a look at these happy cows, sharing a nice mid-afternoon drink.An Afternoon Drink
Leaves
0:52Check out this clip from Fall 2011. The Mahaffys take a stroll the forest, and the girls play in the leaves.Leaves
Corn Cannon!
0:29What do farmers do with a few hours off? Corn cannons! Pete and the girls have some good old fashioned fun.Corn Cannon!
Why walk?
0:24When there are endless chores to be done, farmers choose to run from task to task.Why walk?
Disappointing Tomato Year
1:22A trip back to autumn 2011, with Kelly. Unfortunately the weather conditions in Oregon did not make for a bountiful tomato year.Disappointing Tomato Year
Garden Tour
3:44Come take a look at the Mahaffy's 2011 Garden. Get some ideas for what to plant in your own garden this year!Garden Tour
Painting the Milk Barn Door
0:53On a sunny afternoon at the Mahaffy's, the milk barn door gets a nice new coat of paint...Painting the Milk Barn Door
Diced Green Chilies
2:18A delicious way to use up a big portion of chili peppers...Diced Green Chilies
January 2012 Flood
1:08Kelly shows us the edge of the river, which has abruptly crept up to the Mahaffy property. The brand new tractor is submerged in the river as well.....January 2012 Flood
Green Bean Canning
1:37Kelly teaches a quick lesson on canning green beans.Green Bean Canning
Spreading Compost
0:50After three to five weeks of sitting and warming in the sun, the compost is ready to be spread on the fields.Spreading Compost
Compost
0:42Pete talks about the typical ingredients that can be found in the compost that's created at the Mahaffy farm. Most of the materials are left over from other activities on the farm, and the spread ...Compost
Garden Harvest
0:56Kelly and Sienna spend an afternoon gathering vegetables from their garden. Take a peek at what they pick and save to can for the long winter months.Garden Harvest
Applesauce Canning
3:04Kelly and the girls pick apples at the neighbors and teach us how to can them to make applesauce.Applesauce Canning
Family Boat Ride
0:53Ahh, the days of summer. They seem so long ago! Check out the Mahaffys on their boat - a little leisure after a hard day of work can go a long way. The view from the water is beautiful, and the ...Family Boat Ride
Merry Christmas from The Mahaffys!
0:11Merry Christmas from The Mahaffys!
Ponies Follow Cows
0:48On the way in to the barn, Kelly and the girls follow the cows on ponies. Sienna and Ada are quite the skilled pony riders!
Ponies Follow Cows
Cows Leaving the Field
1:02After the girls call them, the cows know just what time it is! Watch as they make their way in for milking time.Cows Leaving the Field
Calling Cows
0:55One of Sienna and Ada's favorite farm tasks is 'calling the cows.' Take a look at how they do it!Calling Cows
Dirt Moving II
1:01Some additional dirt moving is needed in order to level off the ground where the future calf barn will be.Dirt Moving II
Dirt Moving
1:49The Mahaffys are always working on projects around the farm. Sometimes, this starts with a whole lot of moving dirt.....Dirt Moving
Hay Night
1:42A typical evening on the farm....Hay Night
Sienna Climbing the Bale
0:27Ever wonder how to climb a bale of hay? Let Sienna show you, she's a pro!Sienna Climbing the Bale
Onyx and the RTV
0:30One of Onyx's favorite games - racing the RTV!Onyx and the RTV
Onyx Getting a Trim
1:09Meet the Mahaffy's farm dog, Onyx. It gets a bit hot during mid summer in Oregon - so Onyx needs a hair cut!Onyx Getting a Trim
Types of Grass
0:27Pete shows and tells us about the different varieties of grass that his cows eat.Types of Grass
Milk to Tank
1:06Kelly shows us the path of the milk throughout the barn to the tank.Milk to Tank
Done Milking
1:25The cows are done milking - time to leave the barn and head out to pasture!Done Milking
Shrimp and Cow Poop
0:27Kelly briefly explains the benefits of using excess shrimp from local restaurants as nutrients in the field, as well as the benefits of pasturing cows.Shrimp and Cow Poop
Squash Picking Time
0:56Kelly and the girls pick the first batch of squash for the summer.Squash Picking Time
Bailer Introduction
1:23Kelly gives us a quick lesson about the bailer.Bailer Introduction
Irrigation Pump
0:37Grass and plants can't grow without water...
Irrigation Pump
Girls Playing in the Grass
0:44Check out this beautiful summertime pasture!
Girls Playing in the Grass
Pete Moving the Fence
1:27Pete shows us how he moves the fence in order to change pasture space.Pete Moving the Fence
Rolling up the Fence
0:34Pete and the girls have some fun rolling up the fence, in order to give their cows a new spot to graze.Rolling up the Fence
Australorp Chicken
0:32Ada and Sienna talk about their Australorp chicken.Australorp Chicken
Quick Hen Lesson
0:24Sienna tells us about the different types of hens that laid the newest eggsQuick Hen Lesson
Meet the Mahaffy Chickens
0:33Kelly and the girls introduce their hens, and let us know what they’re eating for lunch.Meet the Mahaffy Chickens
The Girls and Grace
2:51The Mahaffy daughters walk the cows to the barn for evening milking. “Grace” the cow gives them a lift….The Girls and Grace
Introducing the Mahaffy's
0:30Meet the Mahaffys! Our new Farm Cam family says hello and gives us a quick glimpse at their farm.Introducing the Mahaffy's
