We finally contacted a forester about getting our land logged and cleared so we can have our own pasture, instead of having to borrow it (we've been grateful to be able to do so, but we really want to have our sheep here, and not somewhere else!). Everything came together fairly quickly. We had the forester come out a few weeks ago and go over the property with us. He explained the process, gave us an idea of what we might expect to get for the logs and pulpwood, and we talked over a couple options, one of which seemed more likely. We called him back last week and said we were ready to start any time. He brought over the paperwork for us to sign (contract, permit for the Town, etc.) and said they had a crew that had just finished a job, and could probably start right away, as long as the weather cooperated.

Of course, we had a few days of rain, but this morning at 5:53 the dog started barking and I got up to see the skidder being unloaded. I wanted to take some "before" pictures, but I had a lot to do this morning and didn't get around to it until after lunch. So, this is the pseudo before picture. It still gives a pretty good idea of what the property looks like with all the trees. That's the logger's truck in the middle of the photo.

I then walked up in front of the truck and took this photo:

It's not going to be a clearcut when it's done. There are a lot of little trees that aren't worth anything for logs or pulp, and there are several acres that we are just taking the pine out of, and leaving all the hardwood so we can manage that area for firewood. But the acreage closest to the house will eventually all be fields. At least, that is the plan!