The grass is exceptionally green here for January. Our pastures are greening up much earlier than usual and providing ample grazing for our dairy herd. We welcomed 2 new heifer calves at the beginning of the month and are enjoying fresh milk from one of the older cows.

The green grass has some of us already dreaming and planning spring gardens. “The Neighbor’s Field” is 6 acres that we rent out in 1/8 or 1/4 acre plots for a nominal fee. The families gardening in 2026 are all former refugees: 3 Karen, 2 Congolese, 1 Burundian, and 11 Karenni. The Karenni families have taken a liking to an extremely hot pepper called Tabasco pepper. They will plant around 2,000 seedlings this year.

The Neighbor’s Field is in its 15^th year and continues to be a place where former refugees can grow the crops they love to consume, share, and sell. It is a joy to be able to provide these garden plots at an affordable cost to the families.