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Finding “horsepower” in unique places

A first-generation Illinois farmer says she’s found a unique answer to the “horsepower” needs of her specialty operation.

Ruth Burke, who’s also an assistant art professor at Illinois State University, says draft animals, like her oxen, are making a comeback on small farms.

“I’ve got a four-year-old team of milking shorthorn steers.”  She says, “Their names are Clark and Sparky. They’re super cool, they’re huge.”

She tells Brownfield the team handles the same tasks of a tractor on her 15-acres, but they bring additional benefits.

“They’re literally clearing land and taking care of the grass for us so that we don’t have to mow it.”  She says, “The manure turns into just great soil additions. The steers are much lighter than a tractor. They don’t compact the soil as much.”

Burke considers veterinary care similar to machinery upkeep costs, but says her oxen have much better personalities.

“I think there’s a lot of potential in draft animal power, using mixed power, on small farms, but we just need to get the word out there that it’s viable and there are communities that will help you make that happen,” she says.

The public can view Burke’s oxen, and several other draft animals, in action on Saturday, May 3^rd, at the ground-breaking for Illinois State University’s new earthworks art project at the Horticulture Center.  Burke says once complete; it’ll be one of three such displays in the country.

“The animals go up and we create these essentially large-scale pollinator and native plant gardens.”  She says, “There’s going to be some walking paths. There’s a radial kind of sun shaped design, so it’s going to have a central gathering space. We’re hoping that that will end up being used as like an outdoor classroom or interpretation center.”

AUDIO: Ruth Burke – Illinois farmer