When Life Upends the Chore Chart: A Hard-Won Lesson in Farm Preparedness
Sheep, Holistic shepherding Olga Elder Sheep, Holistic shepherding Olga Elder

When Life Upends the Chore Chart: A Hard-Won Lesson in Farm Preparedness

We had let traditional roles set in, and suddenly, John was sidelined with a cancer diagnosis. Today, he’s healthy, but the chaos of those months taught us an essential lesson. The farm tasks he was the "primary doer" of—from equipment maintenance to daily feeding—became a scramble for me to reacquaint myself with. If you run a small farm, you must cross-train. Don't wait for a crisis to realize you don't know how to run the baler! Click through to see our full wake-up call

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Breeding season is underway
Sheep, livestock management Olga Elder Sheep, livestock management Olga Elder

Breeding season is underway

Here’s the rub: we only have so much space, and the actual logistics of moving the groups are a precision operation.

Once the ewes are in their respective pastures, it’s time to move the rams. This is the hardest part. A ram will not walk into an empty field, but he will bolt if he catches sight of or even just smells a rival ram or another group of ewes along his route. The desire to dominate or breed is a powerful distraction!

The move has to be mapped out with surgical precision, thinking through every turn to ensure no two pastures are engaged or overlapping during the transfer. It’s like a high-stakes, bovine chess game where one wrong move could result in a broken fence or a breeding group disaster. We execute the plan, cross our fingers, and hope everything goes exactly as scheduled.

Ready for the full story about the ram who refused to move until he had a perfect view of his girls?

Keep reading!

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Buzz, Baa, and Felt! A Sweet New Workshop is Coming to the Farm
class, felting class, felting, Wool, Events Olga Elder class, felting class, felting, Wool, Events Olga Elder

Buzz, Baa, and Felt! A Sweet New Workshop is Coming to the Farm

This September, our wool/sheep farm is buzzing with a new kind of energy! Join us for a unique Felting Honey Bees workshop, where we'll celebrate the connection between our sheep and their vital pollinator pals.

Using wool from our very own sheep, you'll learn the fun and simple art of needle felting to create your own charming honey bee. No experience is necessary! As you craft, you'll also hear from special guest Joey Greene of Buttermilk Bees, who will be here to share the fascinating life of a beekeeper.

Come join us outside the barn for a cozy and creative afternoon. You'll leave with a beautiful new piece of art and a deeper appreciation for these amazing insects. Space is limited—reserve your spot today!

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The Dirt on Dreams: The Joy and Challenges of Leaving Your 9-to-5 for a Farm
female farmer, Farming, clean living Olga Elder female farmer, Farming, clean living Olga Elder

The Dirt on Dreams: The Joy and Challenges of Leaving Your 9-to-5 for a Farm

When I told people I was leaving my steady job to start a farm, the reactions were, to put it mildly, varied. Some romanticized it, picturing me in a sun-drenched field. Others looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

The truth is, it's both exhilarating and exhausting. The joy of feeling the soil between my fingers and watching a seed I planted grow is a feeling no corporate bonus could ever replicate. But it’s not all sunshine and heirloom tomatoes. There are days of bad weather, pests, and endless repairs. The financial uncertainty and physical labor are a constant reality check.

Still, I wouldn't trade it. Even on the hardest days, there's a deep satisfaction in building something with my own hands, connected to the land. The joy of living a life that feels authentic is a reward worth every bit of the struggle.

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Our Holistic Approach to Sheep Healthcare: Continued

Our Holistic Approach to Sheep Healthcare: Continued

Chemical dewormers falling short? We found a better way! This post details our pivot to holistic sheep health, focusing on gut wellness, natural solutions, and the transformative power of observation. See how our flock became healthier, happier, and more resilient – a journey that might inspire your own!

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