Mike is a professor of electronics engineering technology at Joliet Junior College. Although he doesn’t know the difference between a pastern and a pasture, we don’t know what we would do without him. He builds all the buildings, puts up all the fencing, does a lot of the gardening, cuts hay with an old-fashioned scythe, chops firewood, and does whatever else needs to be done around here, including electrical and plumbing work. Since our youngest daughter left home in 2012, he has also learned to milk goats.

Mike has also become our fermentation expert. With his science background he seemed like a natural for learning to make cheese and wine, and we were right. He makes all of our wine and our aged cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, and parmesan.