We Did This All By Hand

We’re going old-fashioned this week and trying out cutting and stacking hay by hand with scythes.
Today’s music, in order (available through Epidemic Sound bit.ly/2Mt3tXm ):
Intro: Let Me Love You by Loving Caliber
Unbroken Spirit by Sunfish Grove
Fire And Bones by Biddy Sullivan
Ghosts Of The Rail by Gabriel Lewis
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[@TerrieAllred2023]

Call me silly, but this made me cry. To see you and your sons hand cutting hay made me long for my grandparent's farm, my brothers, and my dad. Beautiful.

[@grizzleegurr7421]

Me, too. Even after the video ended...

[@malina1239]

I know exactly what you mean. This brings out sweet childhood memories ❤

[@wendyhall8834]

I teared up as well and watched this particular video twice!!!!!

[@bobbijonichols5651]

Love this!!

[@christinereeves3796]

Same here! It gave me the happy feels!! 😁

[@conniedecrescenzo7782]

Just a reminder to all you viewers, please subscribe if you aren't already. This family never asks us for anything but they are so deserving. I would love to see them hit 200K by the end of summer. Let's spread the word for them, as a baby gift.

[@michaelically7893]

AND hit the like button

[@jamjar5716]

@conniedecrescenzo...I agree. I watch (way too much) youtube and I never see as much outpouring of love in the comments as I see on this channel! Everybody ... Like! Subscribe! Share! Subscribing does NOT cost anything (I used to think it did!)

[@evamollikova2132]

And lets go and re-watch all of their old videos and like those too :-).

[@tikaanderson8186]

I have been following them for years but went back from the road trip and watched and liked every single video. It took me a few weeks lol

[@rosaking8488]

They are my favorite family channel! ❤

[@wendyhall8834]

I'll guaruntee as Meg edited this video, her heart had to be overwhelmed with such pride and love, by the sight of her husband and boys working together in a rhythm as rhey scythed their way through the grass! I absolutely loved this video! I teared up and watched it twice!

[@izholmes]

Yes! I was thinking the same thing!

[@tobycatVA]

In today's homeschool lesson we will explore the idiom "make hay while the sun shines."

[@jL-se4eq]

Just gotta say it, "The family who hays together, stays together" 😉

[@deborahparnell8862]

Lol ❤

[@Theaterverslaafde]

😂👍🏻

[@RusticReel]

Eh, not necessarily. But I think the odds are in the Hollars' favor. ❤

[@kabodick]

Clever 😃.

[@villagesteader3552]

There’s nothing in this world that smells better than freshly cut hay! Say what you will, but you’ll never change this old lady’s mind! Watching your family working together is priceless.♥️👍😎

[@wendyhall8834]

Me too!

[@amyhendricks3627]

Priceless ❤ but sweet grass is a pretty close second 😊 but I suppose we all have our special memories attached to certain scents ❤️

[@Momma4Freedom]

I agree! So sweet!

[@luckyrobinshomestead]

What a great couple of days. No exhaust fumes hanging over the field. No noisy machinery. No shoes. Just fun with your boys and later your daughter. One of your daughters. Have to get used to that. Nature all around you. I'd have loved that as a kid.

[@juliewholohan2850]

Just spent 4 weeks at my daughter’s house in the suburbs of Sydney Australia 🇦🇺…..now back home in country Tasmania…..boy do I wish my grandchildren had a Hollar life….city life is way to fast…God bless your decision to move those children to the better life….heart jumping.❤️🙏👋🇦🇺

[@journeyoflovelight]

💯🌱🌱

[@ottocarmanjones7143]

You couldn’t be allergic to work and be a member of this family. Fantastic project! Love it.

[@TerriBlanchard-nh7xy]

Your channel is a hidden gem, glad I stumbled upon it!

[@erikas974]

Welcome to the Hollar followers group. Hope you stay and hope you did subscribed. 🎉🎉🎉❤🫂

[@jacquethirlkel3001]

It was a sight to see you and your army of young sons come outside the mobile home to cut hay. What a family !! Yeh! God bless!

[@carolcalf2032]

Buggy watching how the boys and dad were doing it and then trying her best to help stack the dried hay. Families working together was so good to watch. Be proud boy’s and buggy. Job well done.

[@mariezafonte6473]

Great photo of Ben and the four boys cutting the hay in a row.

[@1stbadger700]

Many hands make lighter work. Ben and Meg, you are guiding some very fine humans.

[@FreidaHammett]

There's was something special about this video. It was relaxing. It was nostalgic. It was exciting to see it happen in 2024. And it is always an enjoyable experience to watch your kids participating in daily life. Thank you!

[@journeyoflovelight]

The boys were all so happy about the work too. Its beautiful to watch.

[@andyriley5460]

The videogrophy at the start of this video would be worty of an award at a film festivel bens voice over the music the tempo of the explination it was beautiful!

[@cindylaffoon607]

Nice seeing all the boys and little Buggie trying to do her part

[@malina1239]

My grandpa, grandma, her sister, some of my cousins and me used to cut the hay for our sheep like this every year until I turned 13. We used fence posts with steel wire in between , in two or three heights to make long rows to hang the hay on to dry. Some cut the hay and the one behind hung it up . In Norwegian the long rows is called a hesje and to hang the hay over the wire is to hesje. The smell is just incomparable .. a magical mix of summer, sun, freshly cut grass and the sweetness of childhood 😊 Breaks in the sun with homemade bread with butter sweet brown cheese and coffee made on wood fire. The sheep and happy lambs in the pasture next to us , jumping around , basking in the sun. The tight hugs from my grandma when I was tired.. I can feel it all❤❤❤❤ Thank you for bringing me 35-40 years back in time 😊

[@kodabear3304]

Thank you for sharing. I googled hesje and read about them and other similar hay racks covered and uncovered for both hay and crops. So helpful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memory. ☺

[@jamjar5716]

@malina ... What a wonderful childhood you had! Great memories forever! ❤

[@tanyaj.8736]

Great video! Love seeing families working together! Beautiful family. My husband has been trying to find a source for syths. Would you mind sharing your source?

[@malina1239]

@@tanyaj.8736 I think the have a video about that from when Ben got his as a birthday present . So if you search for it, it’ll probably show up😀

[@marshasmith6320]

I spent many a day in the hay field when I was younger. That’s hard work but very rewarding. Makes me miss my daddy. Brings back a lot of memories. You and your kids work very well together. Absolutely amazing! Love your family. May God continue to bless you all.

[@bjgigout9832]

You are one blessed man. The parade of sons beside you and behind you literally made me cry, then you see their sharpening skills and labor skills they learned from you, was touching. May Jesus continue to bless your precious family, as you learn and grow together.

[@BirdYoumans]

Meg, you must be so proud of your men! And little Meg will certainly count in there too. It will be fun to watch the new little Meg grow! Ben, what a good job you are doing with your kids to teach them the joy of work, and to make it an adventure instead of a chore. I don't always comment but I watch every episode and love your family. Farming at one time in our history was the bedrock of America. I think we lost something when we all "moved to the city".

[@gloriakelley7383]

When I was “coming up” , my mom would plant a big plot of peas and corn and we would harvest and laugh and talk early in the day. You are make good good memories!

[@SasquatchBioacoustic]

The Eurpean scythe is so much less work than the American scythe. You guys look like a real crew working together like that.

[@hollystarks1810]

Thank you for sharing that information. I had wondered because I’ve never used either one. The European one looks like it would be more ergonomic with the bend. Either way they made them both look effortless!

[@gkiferonhs]

Loved how the teamwork on the hay crew sped up the job.

[@annmcintosh4524]

Memories those kids will have and lessons learned they can pull from for years and years to come. Great parenting!! Mom getting quiet time with baby. Perfect Mom Move!!

[@reginastratton5031]

Such good workers you have. I love seeing the boys help you. Buggy is right in there tackling it all. Yes, fresh cut hay smells wonderful on a summer day.

[@patriciaherman6499]

Dairy farmer here when we first started farming we had a sickle bar on the tractor until we could afford a mower. Reminds of of how the Amish does their hay. Your right nothing like the smell of fresh mowed hay Good workout . Blessings to you and the family. 😊🇺🇲

[@hklife5775]

Just FYI: In the old days they would make the hay stacks round. They would put the hay on and have someone stomp it down as it was being stacked, usually a child that was too small to do other work. on top to finish they would round the top so the rain would roll off. I love how your children like to work with you.😀❤️

[@onedogfarm6731]

I got tears in my eyes and chills! This is the life God intended for us! All working for a common good of the family! I love it. I'm going to buy my husband one of these! Careful they are sharp!! Love you guys!!

[@ladywolverine1828]

There's nothing more rewarding than country living. Sending love and light 🫶

[@user-vq5qz6pm2g]

You, my friend are now living the American dream. God bless you. And your family.

[@lorianderson2008]

As much as I love all of your videos, I think this is my favorite. I love the old ways, and they need to be brought back. Your beautiful family and others like you are going to be the salvation of our country. You give me hope. Thank you so much!

[@lanyrogers5707]

No better words than "awesome dad."What a great memory for the boys. Bless your family Ben and Meg.

[@marking-time-gardens]

Oh my goodness!!! You took me back 70+ years in an instant! Tears running down my face... so so proud of our Hollar Family right now! I know that each scythe is custom fit to the user and that this is a taught/learned skill... you all made it look easy! So proud!!! Blessings on the Hollar Family Homestead!!! All 8 of them!!! 🌻🐛Carolyn in Ohio 🌿💚💕

[@twohomesteads6512]

Me too. My sister and I did this in Northern British Columbia when I was in my 20;s. Cutting pea vine (vetch) to feed my 1/2 Clydesdale, 1/2 quarter horse that I skidded logs for firewood with. We dried it and used it for winter hay. I'm a 73 year old great-grandma.,

[@twohomesteads6512]

Oh and then I got to the part with the quad and trailer collecting the dried hay. We collected with an old Volkswagen pick-up with the sides removed . Looked so similar after all these years.

[@brigettekillion7994]

This video makes me soooooo happy! It is everything right in the world. Primitive process, very meditative. Time with your kids - showing them the value of connecting with nature as you work in it. Letting Buggy participate as she is able. Teaching them all such amazing values. Good on you and Meg for making amazing contributions to the world.

[@mommabecky83]

Made me cry for some reason. Wish i coulda raised my 6 boys 2 girls this way

[@journeyoflovelight]

Me too! ❤🌸

[@BulletproofPastor]

My Mom was a North Dakota farm girl. I have pictures of her atop a massive haystack. Her job was to address the hay once her brothers and Dad tossed it up to her. Your video made me think about Mom.... Thanks.

[@brokenmeats5928]

I love ALL The Hollar Homestead videos!

[@sharonhaas8503]

💝💞💕💖 What a memory for you and your boys Ben! Loved! ❇❇❇

[@deloresmiller6468]

My grandpa a dad did a big post in the ground and stacked the hay around the post. As they stacked us kids would PACK it down around the post. Wonderful memories. At 65 I still can remember the smell.

[@greghill254]

Amazing video! Haven't seen anyone cut hay with a scythe since I was just a boy! Thanks for the memory! I could almost smell the grass as it was being cut!

[@CreatorInTrng]

"Back in Day" as they say, my Grandfather introduced me to a Scythe. Initially, there's the fear - ok, this is when I lose a foot. It's true, a properly sharped Scythe cuts like a hot knife through butter, but it will need attending to (as you saw.) The first time is almost hell as you learn and your shoulders and back are angry. The second day was much different. At some point you 'get it' and the motion, the momentum and the blade start working together. There are lots of videos on YT of people clearing fields with a Scythe. Truly an art and skill. Make hay while the sun shines. A new appreciation for the hay you buy.

[@marycountry]

So very cool watching you cutting the hay, the old fashioned way, with your sons. Very zen with the music!❤️

[@Ernest-qg3mt]

Greetings Love to watch you folks work together You are not only building a farm. But building work ethic in these men. God bless your family.

[@allisonking109]

Really enjoyed watching the video! It was fun seeing Ben and all the kids helping and enjoying the experience!

[@ssfoste]

Yeah, you all did a great job, it's one of those things you will alway remember the first Scythes hay harvest.

[@Tdizzle59]

Oh I so loved watch you And all of the boys working together. Then there's Buggy with the fork! This old lady just loves the Hollars

[@alisonshanahan1237]

The shot of Brett driving the golf cart holding the hay fork upright. ❤ Made me think of Vikings. Beautiful job by everyone, such a wonderful learning experience for the boys.

[@deanbrunner261]

I'm an old guy from the country. I remember growing up as our haystacks were replaced by square bales and them replaced by the big round bales.thanks for the memory

[@LoriAlexander-eo2ji]

You are such a blessed man. Great to see you and your boys working hard together. That is an adventure that will be a memory you cherish. My heart fluttered as I watched. Bless your beautiful family.

[@Diana-ze8wu]

This is so very satisfying. Idk why my eyes started leaking. This video is perfect! To see the boys handle that process was priceless 🤩

[@evelynfirestone8118]

OOOOOH MY GOSH THAT IS HOW MY DAD DID THE MOWING OF THE HAY OOOH MY GOSH LOVE YOU ALL GOD BLESS YOU BROTHERS AND SISTERS

[@alexcarrn28]

As soon as you mention fresh cut hay, I can smell the memory.

[@faithrada]

Fresh first cut hay on a summer's day... Magical 💚 Can't get much closer to Mother Earth than that ✨️.

[@Gardendreamsforme]

Fresh cut hay, grass and wood are THE most beautiful aromas in this world!

[@marking-time-gardens]

Absolutely!!!🌻🐛🌿💚

[@pampilgrim2274]

Hi, Ben, Tyler, Jack, Brett, and Corbin. You guys make quick work of your hayfield. It’s a blessing to see your family work together. Buggie, you did a great job too.

[@diannemiller4754]

Farmers daughter here first cutting hay was so great. Daddy even allowed me to drive the tractor 😮 Absolutely love your family working together ❤️

[@barbaradeas8910]

What a beautiful sight it is to see you working with your sons. They're such hard working young men! They seem to take such pride in their work and I know that you are very proud of them. Good job Mom and Dad! You are instilling in them something that you don't see very much anymore. I really enjoyed this video!

[@Lissa71]

having 5 boys to help out makes all the difference in the world lol... was great seeing ya'll out there working together to make something happen. :)

[@uptenmilecreek]

Love this, my Dad would cut hay on the side of the mountain, every summer and fall, there is a rhythm to cutting, he taught all of us the proper way to hold and swing the scythe for the closet cut. We also stacked the hay, he taught us the proper way to build a haystack from the ground up! Congratulation on your cut!

[@helenmchugh4632]

What an absolute beautiful video, and the music was perfect

[@karynbrown7519]

Ben and Meg, what a beautiful, calming environment you have created for your amazing family to grow up in. They hit the jackpot to have you both for their mum and dad. Karyn from Perth, Western Australia.

[@lindafreeman1687]

Beautiful! Not just the hay but the way your kids helped and enjoyed it as much as your did. That was quite the experience. Awesome job.

[@julieking4828]

I love, love, love the opening with all you men streaming off to the field. I’ve watched it three times.

[@TrulyYours88]

That is truly back to the old ways. I have a scythe but am way too old to use it. Really enjoyed this video.

[@trudyclay3478]

This is the best video in a long time because it is so different.

[@iamkathyo]

You took me back to "The Farm," my parents home... The smell of cut grass, the sound of cows in the field, birds chirping, the dog babysitting mama cats kittens while she went to forage in the woods, the occasional car coming down the road, it all came back. The pictures of those handsome young men working with their dad in the field were breath taking... All in "family" unison with each other and offering the smell of fresh cut hay at the same time... A simple "Thank You" is nice, but it doesn't begin to cover all your unique gifts that you share... Do you have any idea, how deep your pockets are for us? Then on top of that, add Sweet Miss Buggy... And last but not least the Supervisor, Millie. Now how did we all get so lucky... I am grateful, Kathy

[@christinej2358]

That was cool! What a great experience for you and your boys. Buggy even got in on the work helping to load it up. Teaching them right and to be self sufficient.

[@marissashelley2362]

Both supervisors are there... Buggie & Kitty!!! 😊

[@pabapaba6869]

I absolutely loved watching you gentlemen cutting hay. It was moving, almost spiritual. Near the end, you were more than a team and more like a well oiled machine. What a wonderful tradition this will be.

[@toledotaz]

This is one of the best videos you guys have done. Love seeing Ben and the kids working together. I kinda dug hearing Ben narrate. Do you guys still play music together? I would love to see you all play again.

[@gailstritzel9066]

How cool was that!!! Great teamwork guys and Buggy

[@hollyarney9021]

I am always amazed at how your sons just jump in and work so hard.. I love your life ❤️

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

So sweet how those bros include buggy and let her learn. I loved this hat video. Love how those boys get in there and give it their all.

[@jamieflint2550]

Such a neat project to do together! As a city girl, I couldn't stop worrying about someone cutting off a toe 😂 but still enjoyed seeing this and thought it was so neat that you got to do this w your boys!! ❤

[@donnamays24]

Ohh what a lovely thing to watch..all the boys jumping in to help..and doing it the old fashioned way is beautiful! Andy you got a good load too!..I love it! …and I adore Buggy’s braided pigtails…adorable!…Many blessings to each of you guys! ❤🙏🏻

[@mmurphy2317]

Hey, hey...hay! YAY! HOLLAR HAY...at that!👍💯💪👏👏👏👏

[@gingerberkhouse5174]

I love how Buggie is right in there working with dad and all her brothers!

[@BillieOtero-qe1jq]

When I was 6 years old we moved from Maine to the high desert of California. We lived on the highway going to Las Vegas. My sister and I had to learn how to cut and haul wood to the house in the winter for heat and in the summer we irrigated the orchard and took care of feeding , watering and cleaning a hen house of 500 chickens. When we finished that than we went inside to do the house chores. I know most people would say I must be crazy but I loved it. I love having a garden for flowers and vegetables. And I loved going for a drive when the sun would be going down and driving by the hay fields that had just been cut. Great memories. Or driving down the hill to Fullerton and driving by the orange orchards. It is so sad that all the orange trees are gone and houses are in their place.

[@irmibullinger1421]

I used to live in Fullerton and Anaheim. I remember the many orange orchards and also strawberry fields. One year we heard that the grower was finished with harvesing his strawberry field and opened it to the public to pick what they wanted. My sister and I went and picked strawberries. What back breaking work! But the strawberries were the most delicious I have ever eaten!

[@Haffy1952]

Hey Ben, a long time follower here along with Jason and Al on your Shop Talk podcast. Just wanted to mention another Mainiac like me a follower of Jim Koweleski another Maniac and he is a great scythe master and I attended the Common Ground Fair last season and he did a seminar on the scythe. Loved his presentation. If you haven't you had the oppotunity y9u should check out his scythe videos, I think you will like them. Keep up the great work and congrats on your new daughter, I bet Buggy is so happy now she has a sister. Love yah, Haffy from Maine

[@normacoplin4102]

Seriously! I have never enjoyed a video more!!! ❤️ My son is 36. He and my husband used to cut hay together with a team of Belgian draft horses named Bob and Dolly. They would put it up loose in the barn loft. Lots of hard, sweaty...but very satisfying work! Good job boys....and Buggy!

[@journeyoflovelight]

I bet that was amazing to watch. Thank you for sharing.🌸🌸

[@angelavaughan9477]

Yes, a hundred times over! We are rural and the smell of fresh hay???? My goodness it's awesome. I've helped mow hay (with tractors, sorry) and loved everything about it. Good for you!

[@crystaldithen7146]

Buggy's hair always looks so cute in pig tails!!

[@ginnysulya9805]

Awesome video, though not quite the same it brought back memories of my dad using a reel mower in the light of the street lights! He worked 2 jobs and when he got home he would do yard work! I called him the midnight mower, he was the hardest working man I ever knew! He lived to 96 years old! Still working hard until 94! The the slight sound of the blades cutting through the grass and smell of fresh cut, dew covered grass came in through the windows as I was falling to sleep! Thanks for the memories! Peace and blessings on your hardworking family! 🙏💖🤗

[@journeyoflovelight]

Thank you for sharing this special memory. 💐

[@sharonbrown2352]

The farmer I buy my cow from hays our land. They have it all in big round bales and are trying to get it off of the property before the rain tonight. They do it all with machinery. It was fun watching y'all doing this the old fashioned way.

[@amylieber3988]

There's nothing like the smell of fresh cut hay. I love it. Your kids are so amazing at helping too. I love that you were all out there barefoot too. That's the same way we all used to help do it as kids. The whole family got together. It was a fun day.

[@PattyPrice-tl7bc]

Ben n boys n girl awesome job We did that when i was little my arms got tired after 4 hours of swinging Ty for the memories

[@carmenrosas4281]

That was an amazing video, and I loved every minute, watched Ben and all your young men including Buggy, work and the hay ride. It was awesome. Great job guys very satisfying!😀

[@gloriabond123]

I love the smell of fresh cut hay.

[@mgtmoffat8411]

I remember doing all of this. The stack yard had rings of stones and one in the middle. There was great pride in keeping them straight and round. Then theaking the top to run the rain off. Fantabulous vlog!. 💕💕🌻🌻 .

[@oldladyfarmer7211]

Haying is a spiritual experience in a way. We didn't cut most of our hay with scythes (only areas around the barns and severe inclines. We used a sickle bar on the tractor. When I was very young we'd turn the hay by hand then Dad was able to get a "kicker" for cheap. That speeded things up quite a bit. We didn't have a baler till I was about 15 or 16 at our big farm, so we'd pitch it onto a wooden wagon and then pack it into the hay mow and stomp it down to pack it..... I still have prickle marks on my feet and lower legs. LOL When we made haystacks we'd use heavy tarps (I think they were canvas or old boat sails) and they'd be held down by rope tied around rocks. Ah such fond memories. I'm so pleased that your family will have these wonderful memories too!! ♥♥♥

[@kimmer2799]

My father cut and turned hay with a draft horse. He set a pole and I stomped it down around the pole. Very fond memories of helping him. I have not seen a haystack for more than 60 years! An yes, freshly cut hay is the best!

[@torceridaho]

Ben, wow, so cool to let your boys learn about the history of tools and cutting hay. So cool.

[@monaparker206]

My husband and put our hay up like this forty years ago when we had dairy goats in the U.P.. Not barefoot though because it was safer where we lived to wear boots or shoes. We also used hay rakes made completely out of wood.

[@hiddencreekgardensbethmcmi3720]

You r taking me down memory lane. I remember a scyth being in our garage. My dad liked working with farmers and dairymen. He bought hay and would haul it to sell to the above men. My older brothers worked with him and stacked many a hay bale onto the flatbed. Can't tell you how many times I watched sweaty men with hay on their clothes enter the house. Lol

[@bjchris8979]

What a beautiful sight to see Ben and the boys cutting hay, flipping and gathering the hay, and buggy trying to help made my heart happy. Then the boys saying they had fun doing it made it even better. What a wonderful memory you made.

[@itcouldbeanyone]

Oh my, Buggy with a fork picking up hay. Made my day, thanks for sharing.

[@craigstewart6879]

Great video, good job raising your sons, God bless 🙌

[@julieagain]

My 1 & only granddaughter was just born. Beautiful time of life

[@hollystarks1810]

Awe… 🎉CONGRATULATIONS!

[@pabapaba6869]

Congratulations! Grandchildren are something different!

[@shirleyj5885]

Congratulations on your first experience with the next generation. Love every moment of it. My son and his wife are expecting with my fourth Grand. As their oldest is graduating high school tomorrow. Life is glorious.

[@marking-time-gardens]

You are so blessed!... don't blink... saver each moment... and make them all quality ones... Blessings on your new adventure Grandma! 🌻🐛🌿💚

[@wendyrotchstein98]

Congratulations!

[@clint4472]

Dang boys!!! That's a lot of good hay. Proud of and for y'all!

[@kathyyoung3484]

Beautiful memories for beautiful people!