Sheep, chickens, ducks and such in the Waitsfield, Mad River Valley, Vermont
Always watching, thinking, dreaming and creating on Stowell Farm
I think I've perfected the biscuits—mix 2 parts bread flour with 1 part whole grain (Butterworks Farm for sure!), 2 tablespoons baking powder, a pinch of salt, brown sugar and buttermilk or milk (Von Trapp's for sure). Today's mix included strawberries (can't call them fresh and feel a bit guilty for purchasing off-season. 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Bingo! Fresh breakfast treats post barn chores.
I can't tell you how proud and happy I am to be raising grass-fed animals. The more I read, the happier I become too! Right now I'm reading Pasture Perfect by Jo Robinson (highly recommend her books). It just brings it all home for me. As does reading Chickens in the Road or Dirty Life. I suggest all of these (and so many more) for those of you who are interested in homesteading. Dirty Life actually changed my life (almost overnight). She's a great writer—their farm is in Essex, NY. There will be more on grass fed and the whole industry when I write MY book. Just wait! I just might. Our guys are treated with big love, get the best grass available year round, and live a nice life. I think, if they were out in the wild, they might not do as well. In pic below, Eighties leads the crew to the northern fields last summer.
Today's continual dropping temps have left me chilled. Brutal winds. Took Pru along the Common Road, but after finding the wandering raccoon with Peter (and calling Gib for help), I'd frozen to the bone, so took a quick turnaround and headed back to the house. Did the barn chores in the early AM (the new dorpers and doing well here—everyone is adjusting happily), brewed up some coffee and whipped up a batch of biscuits (truly! use Butterworks Farm Granary's Homegrown Organic Grains—they are THE BEST! www.butterworksfarm.com), boiled up some eggs (we have a ton after the relative heatwave), and dove into sheep records, accounting and my regular (hopefully paid) work (web site, annual report, package design). Went to the local store and had two meetings. At 9pm, we've not yet had dinner—but will soon. We'll have Eggs Benedict! with fresh duck eggs, our leftover Irish Soda Bread and some arugula.
In a small space today, I read a bit more of Jo Robinson's Pasture Perfect. As a writer, she was recommended to me (as someone with credible knowledge) by a local farmer. She's to the point—and correct. This book is about the beauty and benefit of grass fed animals—for the earth, for the animals...for us. You'll hear more from me about this. I'm pretty passionate. Hence our grass fed farm. We, here on the Stowell Farm, are grass farmers.
Last night's beef stew (thanks to an exchange with the Robinsons) with root-cellar veggies and farm peas served in a bowl thrown by Polly
Today, we brought home our new dorpers—Colorado (ram), Hazel (ewe) and Jane (Lamb). Seth rigged up some transport (pics on my blog @ stowellfarm.com) and off we went to Addison County. We spent some time with the Ayer family—taked sheep (and cattle and such...) and loaded up to Scale the App Gap at a slow and steady pace. Jane and Hazel (momma and babe) whaled away — a lot of bahhhh.... Now here, they join our other ewes down in the barn. All is well.
Jane lapped it with Seth and me in the cab. She made a lot of noise, but's so warm and soft and cute—you really can't complain
Seth built some awesome temporary transport.
Unloading. Jane's mom Hazel was a little tough to move along. She lies down. Finally got them in and home.
Hazel (left), her babe Jane (middle) and Colorado (ram lamb) in the back, right.
Wrapping up Saturday. Busy and beautiful day. Thinking of Bonnie and Laurie who have birthdays at the end of this week. Lots of work to do tomorrow (packaging for organic skin-care line, annual report for a Vermont non-profit, web work for a local gallery) and trip to addison to pick up 3 dopers (a ram lamb, ewe and ewe lamb). Saying "cheers" to Charlie who went north to an amazing farm space today...while looking forward to a few new sheep, new recipes, great work and good love.
Charlie goes to a new home. He'll make amazing new off-spring! He's been a really good boy. Thanks Charlie.
Great books to return to.
Yvette makes beef broth
Made this with total success.
Welcome to Stowell Farm. This site tells and shows a bit about the many things we do on this amazing property on the East Warren Road in the Mad River Valley.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont is a nonprofit association of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working to promote an economically viable and ecologically sound Vermont food system for the benefit of current and future generations.
www.nofavt.org
The Vermont Sheep Breeders’ Association is a non-profit agricultural membership organization and has been in existence for over 100 years. We are incorporated in the State of Vermont, have a Board of Directors and a written set of by-laws. In addition to soliciting our membership on an annual basis for dues to sustain our administrative services and publications, we write for grants to support our programs.
As a volunteer organization, we could do nothing without the good will, ideas and help of our membership.
The Vermont Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization with policies and priorities set at the County level by individual farmer members in a democratic process that dates back to our beginning.
Helping the public make responsible choices about herbal medicine and healthcare. The Council provides education using science-based and traditional information to promote responsible use of herbal medicine — serving the public, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, industry and media.
The Safe Seed Pledge was created in 1999 when High Mowing Organic Seeds guided a coalition of 9 other seed companies in drafting a statement about the signers' stance on genetic engineering. Over 70 companies have signed the pledge, ranging from large seed companies to family-owned businesses such as ours.
United Plant Savers' mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.
http://www.unitedplantsavers.org
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare resources grounded in Nature. Our work brings clinical herbalism to community practice through the weaving of science, spirit and grassroots activism. We provide one of the nation’s most extensive clinical training opportunities in herbal medicine, rooted in deep connection with the plants and place.
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