Category: Uncategorized

The Month of Thanksgiving – Day Thirty

Sheeps & PeepsLeave a comment

For those who came before us, we are truly grateful!

As this month ends, we are giving thanks for the four generations of our family that have made this farm our home.

(1) Andrew and Amy moved from Greene County, Pennsylvania to our farm in 1890. They were in their 60’s when they came . Grandmother Amy, who was always frail, came in her buggy, with her beautiful buggy horse.

(2) David and Hannah were married only about a year when they came along with Grandfather Andrew and Grandmother Amy. They moved from Pennsylvania in wagons, driving their cattle along with them.

(3) Lena and Cecil Ray, Grandma and Poppy

(4) Robert and Dorthy, our Dad and Mom

The Month of Thanksgiving – Day Twenty-Nine

Sheeps & PeepsLeave a comment

Mt. Olivet
They sing of the church in the valley,
But my heart receives a great thrill
When I think of the home of my childhood
And the little white church on the hill.
It stands as a symbol of Gods love
And mother’s and father’s love too.
For they went with us each Sunday morning
To show us the pathway so true.
God’s acre is near, and our dear ones
Lie under its green grassy sod.
Their lives have been our inspiration
We know they’ve gone home to God.
I’ve seen very beautiful churches
Some that I’ll never forget.
But none so dear as the church on the hill
The one that we call Olivet.
— found among Great Grandfather David Dixon’s papers, written by our Great Aunt Ida Amanda Dixon Price (shared by our Great Aunt Mary Florence Dixon Hardesty)

The Month of Thanksgiving – Day Twenty-Seven

Sheeps & PeepsLeave a comment


Giving thanks today for the FAMACHA eye color chart and the system developed by South African livestock parasitologist, Francois ‘Fafa’ Malan. This system allows us to identify and treat only the sheep that are infected with Haemonchus (Barber Pole Worm). This greatly decreases the development of flock resistance to anthelmintics.
We are also grateful to Susan Schoenian, Sheep and Goat Specialist for University of Maryland Extension, for the Integrated Parasite Management Workshop. that enabled us to participate in this program.

The Month of Thanksgiving – Day Twenty-Four

Sheeps & PeepsLeave a comment

Giving thanks today for ancient herbal wisdom and those who share it —

— Laurie Ball-Gisch at The Lavender Fleece who introduced us to pumpkin and carrot treats among many other things. She shares her thoughts on shepherding both on her web-site and in numerous articles in national magazines.

— Melissa at Skylines Farm for sharing her garlicking recipe and schedule. She also shares her extensive knowledge and experience on many topics including pasture management on her web-site. Skylines Philosophy is inspiring.

— Juliette de Bairacli-Levy (1912-2009) and her book The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable. Her pioneering work in holisitic veterinary medicine resulted from her time studying herbal medicine while living with gypsies and farmers in Europe, Turkey, North Africa, etc.
This generous sharing of knowledge has helped us raise our sheep in a more organic, more sustainable manner. For this, we are truly grateful.