Air's Wild Acres
Small goats and small batch cheesemaking on a small farm, all with big laughs.
Author: Ariel.Rivers
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2021 is an existential crisis.
The first time I remember feeling like I had an existential crisis, I was 16. I had just read The Stranger for my high school English class, and had one of those “Wait, so I’m supposed to go to school for a long time, go to work, then have a couple of kids and take […]
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It’s not my turn anymore.
Of my many faults as a human, my tendency towards nostalgia is probably one of my traits that annoys me the most. I am so easily sucked into a photo album or an old blog, and can then spend hours, or days even, thinking about whatever experience and how much I miss that particular time […]
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How many quail are too many quail for a first time quail farmer?
Probably significantly less than the number I recently acquired. When I first moved back to my family’s property a few years ago, I was traveling at least two weeks a month for work. Free dog care, which can easily add up when you are gone half the month, had a great deal of appeal at […]
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Pandemic privilege at Rivers End Ranch.
It’s been over a year since I have posted anything on my blog. A long, weird, emotional, crazy, rewarding year, which included the following: Leaving Arizona, where I had purchased a house only 11 months prior, then proceeding to become a landlord for the first time Moving into a 300 square foot cabin that had […]
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Earth Week Action Items: Partnering to Motivate Change
I need to start this post with a disclaimer: I make a lot of mistakes. I’m human, and we’re subject to a variety of outside forces that will affect our likes, dislikes, personal biases, economic situation, decision-making processes, etc. etc. Too, I recognize that everyone has different value sets and priorities, and what works for […]
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“I’m going to be a good food farmer,” but with the help of my friends
As an extrovert, I thrive on the type of informal exchanges I can have via good conversation with people: the sharing of good ideas and excitement, gaining motivation to continue in fields that can be somewhat daunting at times, getting feedback on how to move forward on a project, etc. Having the opportunity, then, […]
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Mexican haircuts, anxiety, and growth opportunities
On my last day in Mexico over the holidays, I spent some time wandering around Mexico City and picking up a few things I love (coffee, mezcal), and grabbed in a quick haircut. I hadn’t had a haircut in about a year, and for some reason it seemed a million times easier to get it […]
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New Year’s Day on the side of a Mexican mountain
When I first booked this trip to Mexico a few months ago, I was looking forward to spending some time in a place I love with some people that I love. I was also in deep need of processing some emotions about leaving this beautiful country a year and a half ago and to acknowledge […]
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“Farting around” while embracing joy
The first time I came to central Mexico, I was here for 6 months to complete a portion of my dissertation research at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). As often happens in such situations, I made fast friends with a few colleagues, and we spent quite a bit of time exploring the […]
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Soil, water, and ranch life: new job for the new year.
The first time I ever presented in front of a group of strangers to advocate for agriculture, I was 10. The Alameda County Fair Board of Directors proposed an elimination of the Junior Livestock program at our annual fair, and the leader of my 4-H sheep project asked my mom to allow me to present […]
Air's Wild Acres 