We used to sell all of our goat kids as pets… Until we realized how poorly pet goats are often treated. Many people will buy goats when they’re adorable youngsters, but aren’t willing to tolerate their adult behaviors, or keep up with routine hoof trimming, or pay for costly feed, mineral supplements, and veterinary expenses … Continue reading Why We’re Raising Goats for Meat
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I was recently asked to identify what I perceive as the five greatest issues facing sustainable animal production for my Diversified Animal Production class, and I thought I'd share it here too! Here's my list: 1. Availability of cheap, unethically produced substitute products: It's hard for me to wrap my head around, but there are … Continue reading Top 5 Issues Facing Sustainable Animal Production
A little over a year ago, we took a leap and acquired our farm's first ever livestock guardian dogs. Yes, I said dogs as in more than one! We purchased TWO Great Pyrénées puppies within a couple months of each other. We're sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly about our experiences with our … Continue reading Lessons from Our First Year with Livestock Guardian Dogs
Farmer's markets have ended, which means that we have officially reached the time of year when we have entirely too many eggs. As in, every member of our family could eat eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we would still have extra. Pretty much anyone who has a large number of chickens knows what … Continue reading Too Many Eggs? Try One of These!
Today I'm sharing a recipe for our holiday favorite: homemade eggnog! Now, I feel as though I'm required to say that consumption of raw or undercooked eggs may cause food borne illness... Because we make ours with raw eggs. One of the perks of owning a farm with chickens is that we can feel super … Continue reading Our Recipe for Homemade Eggnog
Let’s talk about a BIG issue that small farmers everywhere are confronted with: access to capital. In the United States, starting a farm generally costs hundreds of thousands of dollars (for acquisition of land, equipment, inputs, etc.) But agriculture is a business that just doesn't bank well. It's a cash intensive business, with low return … Continue reading How We’re Helping Small Farmers Gain Access to Capital
We've all heard of eating local, but how about gifting local? The holidays present such a great opportunity to support the local businesses in our community. Here's a list of some of our North Country favorites, and what they have to offer: Adirondack Blue Co. - wooden cutting boards & serving trays Berube Botanicals - … Continue reading Holiday Shopping in the North Country
Preface: I'm just wrapping up my second semester of graduate school. I was asked to write a one page reflection on my changed, enlightened, or steadfast views on sustainable agriculture, which I am sharing here on the blog! I can confidently say that I am finishing this semester with a changed view of what it … Continue reading Sustainable Ag: What It Is, and What It Isn’t
Earlier this year, we were awarded a grant by the Adirondack Council to enhance the environmental benefits provided by our farm. The funds were used to partially cover the cost of constructing a cement compost containment area, basically a bunk in which we can compost our bedding, manure, and garden waste. Having the compost contained … Continue reading Compost Containment Area
Butternut squash is a favorite fall side dish in our household, and good thing, because right now we have a ton of them! (There are some available at the farmstand.) The following recipe is one that our family makes every year as part of our Thanksgiving celebration. It’s easily made in advance and kept warm … Continue reading Butternut Squash with Pecans