The Fat Ewe Farm
Dreams do come true!
and then there is the farm...
As I neared retirement, I began to wonder what my life would look like. I reviewed times when I was the happiest and when I was the most stressed. Hands down, being on my little hobby farm, running the fields with the dogs, pigs and horses, watching the morning mist as it disappeared in the warm sunshine...yes, that was the it. I was happiest as a farmer. I also love interacting with people and had always wanted a bed and breakfast. So when people are thinking of warm beaches and leisurely living, I was thinking of creating a place where living was simple, just the land and the animals and me, and my guests to share in my paradise.
I found a little bit of paradise (in my eyes) in Elk Point, Alberta and bought a quarter section, 100 acres of wonderful forest complete with moose, deer and porcupines and 60 acres of pasture. The pasture is where I plan to begin my apple orchard. Yes, apples do grow in Alberta. As a matter of fact about 30 varieties seem to do pretty well and I will plant them all and assess which ones to continue with for an apple orchard. At first the organic apples will be used as fresh fruit, then as frozen pies and finally as apple cider, the booze kind. Who does not like an apple cider in a hot day? My first attempt at apples failed and the trees died over winter. I will try again next year.
The resident sheep will also have to earn their keep by providing wool. Karakul, Icelandics and Jacobs are very hardy and have lovely wool for spinning and felting too. We are adding two Est'a Laine Merinos for wool and 3 Cotswolds as well as some Finnsheep. The Babydoll Southdowns have joined the farm in 2013. We have recently acquired purebred registered Blue Faced Leicesters and will be getting 2 Rombouillet ewes.
Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats will offer excellent brush and weed control. They are so cute and comical with their play head butts and the way they speak to each other. The 2014 kids will be cross bred to an Angora to produce Pygora and Nygora goats for fiber.
The Kahki Campbell and Rouen ducks will provide the farm with pest control. Saxony and Ancona ducks have joined the farm as well as some wonderful Pomeranian Saddleback and American Buff geese, which are great protectors for the smaller birds while they are working.
Of course where there are flocks there are dogs. Robbie, the crazy border collie will be roaming the ponderosa. Harley, a 2 1/2 year old Maremma and Ofcharka, the livestock guardian dog, along with Jenna and Jade (the Maremma sisters) are the guardians, though Robbie has become a great sky watcher as well. Mike and Joe, Pyrenees/Maremma cross boys are in training living with the sheep, though they do not want to stay in the pen.
Many of the value added products from the farm will become available for purchase. Felted wool rugs, vests and hats, knitted blankets and shawls, yarn roving, quilts, pillows, soap, lotions and herbal skin care, aromatherapy and essential oils, Baba's bread and fermented pickles, and of course breeding stock are some of the offerings to come.
This is going to be fun!
and then there is the farm...
As I neared retirement, I began to wonder what my life would look like. I reviewed times when I was the happiest and when I was the most stressed. Hands down, being on my little hobby farm, running the fields with the dogs, pigs and horses, watching the morning mist as it disappeared in the warm sunshine...yes, that was the it. I was happiest as a farmer. I also love interacting with people and had always wanted a bed and breakfast. So when people are thinking of warm beaches and leisurely living, I was thinking of creating a place where living was simple, just the land and the animals and me, and my guests to share in my paradise.
I found a little bit of paradise (in my eyes) in Elk Point, Alberta and bought a quarter section, 100 acres of wonderful forest complete with moose, deer and porcupines and 60 acres of pasture. The pasture is where I plan to begin my apple orchard. Yes, apples do grow in Alberta. As a matter of fact about 30 varieties seem to do pretty well and I will plant them all and assess which ones to continue with for an apple orchard. At first the organic apples will be used as fresh fruit, then as frozen pies and finally as apple cider, the booze kind. Who does not like an apple cider in a hot day? My first attempt at apples failed and the trees died over winter. I will try again next year.
The resident sheep will also have to earn their keep by providing wool. Karakul, Icelandics and Jacobs are very hardy and have lovely wool for spinning and felting too. We are adding two Est'a Laine Merinos for wool and 3 Cotswolds as well as some Finnsheep. The Babydoll Southdowns have joined the farm in 2013. We have recently acquired purebred registered Blue Faced Leicesters and will be getting 2 Rombouillet ewes.
Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats will offer excellent brush and weed control. They are so cute and comical with their play head butts and the way they speak to each other. The 2014 kids will be cross bred to an Angora to produce Pygora and Nygora goats for fiber.
The Kahki Campbell and Rouen ducks will provide the farm with pest control. Saxony and Ancona ducks have joined the farm as well as some wonderful Pomeranian Saddleback and American Buff geese, which are great protectors for the smaller birds while they are working.
Of course where there are flocks there are dogs. Robbie, the crazy border collie will be roaming the ponderosa. Harley, a 2 1/2 year old Maremma and Ofcharka, the livestock guardian dog, along with Jenna and Jade (the Maremma sisters) are the guardians, though Robbie has become a great sky watcher as well. Mike and Joe, Pyrenees/Maremma cross boys are in training living with the sheep, though they do not want to stay in the pen.
Many of the value added products from the farm will become available for purchase. Felted wool rugs, vests and hats, knitted blankets and shawls, yarn roving, quilts, pillows, soap, lotions and herbal skin care, aromatherapy and essential oils, Baba's bread and fermented pickles, and of course breeding stock are some of the offerings to come.
This is going to be fun!