Welcome to Our Farm
We began our journey in 1988 under the mentoring and watchful eye of our two young Belgian Sheepdogs. They both had a strong desire to return to their traditional jobs of herding and directing sheep, goats, and even us when we wandered off task and ignored the basic principles of shepherding, livestock care and guardian behavior. We began with a 10 acre hobby farm and 6 beautiful goats that quickly attacked dandelions, quack grass, thorn bushes and invading poison ivy. Dia and Ty continued to advocate for more and more animals. They lived a long life and when they passed on to other pastures we inherited over 300 ewes and does and had moved onto an overgrown dairy farm with 140 acres of woods and pasture and additional 80 acres of leased land.
Sheep, goats and grasses and browse and in many regions of the world the herding dog evolved together. All benefited from this collaboration—yes even the grasses and brambles. Grass and browse have growth points such as tillers and rhizomes that are stimulated by the grazing animal efficiently removing older and less efficient grass blades, foliage and branches opening up the plant body to the sun’s light and energy. The sheep and goat harvest a nutrient rich salad and the plant receives a need pruning. They compliment each other, need each other and thrive together.
Goats and sheep thrive on land unsuitable for other species or for crops. They are particularly suited to rocky, hilly terrains or desert climates where families would not have the much needed protein or fat sources without their flocks. In many parts of the world children are responsible for the flocks from a young age. Along with milk and meat sheep and goats provide leather for clothing, shelter, containers, utensils and musical instruments even today in the developing world.