Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with an amazing tree that has proven to be one of the cornerstones of our homesteading way of life. The Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) towers over the edges of the pastures, casting a deep shade in the summer months...
This past year was one of many firsts for us: first farm, first goats, first pigs, first bacon and cheese making, the list could go on and on. It’s been a year of exploring new dreams, tackling new adventures and getting out of our comfort zone, yet again. 2014...
A quick biology refresher for everyone: We want milk from our goats; To get milk, we must get our does pregnant; To get our does pregnant, we must bring in a buck… Enter Jack. Or Jack Attack. Or Jacomo Fina Nay. He goes by many names. But he has only...
Today we broke ground. I stood with shovel in hand, trying to make out the borders of the long forgotten garden beds, now just gentle hummocks, engulfed by Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens). I leaned my weight onto the spade and felt a smooth, gratifying...
We didn’t want to rush in, so we waited almost a month. And we wanted to start small, this being our first foray into mammalian livestock, so we bought Nigerian Dwarf goats (they actually prefer “Nigerian Little People Goats)”. We got a book...
Wow, we’ve transformed our new place into a bustling, productive mini-farm in three short weeks. And what a crazy three weeks it has been! Less than 48 hours after closing we brought in 7 ducks, quacking and cooing into our lives. A week later, 7 laying hens,...
