WWOOFing Part 7: A Visit to Louisiana and New Day Farm

A few weeks back I travelled to Louisiana for a few days with Jonathan, Laura, and Baby Cypress. We briefly visited their old farm, Real Nature, the afternoon we arrived and I got a tour of the old structures and gardens. We were also treated to a spectacular sunset as we were leaving.

Sun beginning to set in front of Real Nature Environmental Farm, Jackson, Louisiana

Sun beginning to set in front of Real Nature Environmental Farm, Jackson, Louisiana

Vibrant sunset seen through the car window, Jackson, Louisiana

Vibrant sunset seen through the car window, Jackson, Louisiana

The following day we headed out to New Day Farm in Clinton which is run by their friend Ben and his brother Drayton. In its second year, New Day currently has approximately twelve of thirty total acres under cultivation with plans for a second greenhouse, more chickens, and some other animals. Ben and Drayton generously gave us an extensive tour of their beautiful property, walking us along the length of the creek and through the fields. In addition, we got to see some of their projects which include a pizza oven, chicken coop, and the new greenhouse. Other than the awesome tour my favorite part of the day was probably holding one of the new Rhode Island Reds. Roll your eyes if you will, but this was my first time holding a chicken and not only did I find it pretty damn cool, but I also just about fell in love with chickens that day.

Fields at New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Fields at New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Sunset over the fields, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Sunset over the fields, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Heaven: The loveliest, most perfect buttercup field in the world, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Heaven: The loveliest, most perfect buttercup field in the world, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

I had a fantastic time at New Day and I can’t wait to visit again to do some work and learn more about all their projects. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera on my visit and I instantly regretted it; both the land and the sky were beautiful, not to mention quite different from other places I’ve been. Jonathan did get some pictures of us planting seeds when we returned the next morning en route to Tennessee but I only have a few other pictures (above) that were taken with my phone.

Ben, Drayton, and I spreading soil, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Ben, Drayton, and I spreading soil, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Spreading soil, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Spreading soil, New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Choosing seeds for a planting party (I chose New Mexico peppers), New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

Choosing seeds for a planting party (I chose New Mexico peppers), New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

The new greenhouse at New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana

The new greenhouse at New Day Farm, Clinton, Louisiana