As our respective roles are so defined on the show, they are in our lives as well; Maggie very much lives a farm life and I, well, I very much do not. Maggie starts and ends her days tending to her home ‘farm chores.’ I assure you no such ‘farm chores’ take place at my urban residence! That is what makes the farm shoot days so thrilling - and intimidating - for me. Lindsey interacting with nature is also a great source of hilarity for Maggie; I can’t say I blame her! Earlier in filming this season, we visited Sirocco Ridge, a goat farm in Southern Indiana, and were greeted by a team of bouncing and bleating baby goats, (also known as kids), who couldn’t wait to paw at us, climb into our laps, and nibble at our microphones. Maggie scooped them up one by one, nuzzling each kid and ultimately returning the following week to bring four home with her. It is safe to say that the only kids running around my backyard are my own two human children but I did relish our day amongst the happy goats of Sirocco Ridge and yet another up close experience learning about these animals and the beauty of their sustainable farm - not to mention the delicious goat cheese they craft!
This sort of hands-on opportunity is what I have come to anticipate during our farm shoots - that is until we made our way to both Woodland Farm and Bourbon County Bison to film episode 604. If you have ever encountered a bison you have experienced the wild, majestic presence they bear. It is this wild nature that both Kirstopher of Woodland Farm and Jamie of Bourbon County Bison are passionate about preserving, both farmers approach to their herd intentionally distant. There was nothing up close about these farm shoots but that did not make the experience any less personal. At Bourbon County Bison, we set off with the top of Maggie’s Bronco down in search of the bison herd, rambling over shallow creek beds and steep hills, dropping into low hanging valleys, the experience boasting an unmistakable sense of adventure. Finally, we spotted the herd, gathered under a large shade tree for respite on this particularly warm summer day. Despite the healthy distance we kept, a few curious bison wandered toward us, stealing our breath with their grandeur.
Far less grand were the cicadas that day! They worked hard to steal the spotlight during our day filming in Bourbon County, a constant nuisance in both noise and darting presence. As always, our crew of KET all stars took it in stride, ever committed to getting the shot. With two episodes left to film for season six, we are as open as we have ever been to what lies ahead. In so many ways we are just getting started, this state we are lucky enough to call home brimming with stories to share.
Salud,
Lindsey & Maggie