Over the next couple of years I had become friends with a young woman who lived with her parents on a small hobby farm on the out skirts of the same city. Though I had never spent a day on a farm before I really enjoyed this little piece of heaven.
Ducks and chickens chased bugs. Sheep chewed lazily on grass. Goats climbed and chewed just about everything. This family grew and ate their own fruit and vegetables. They pasture raised their own meat. At the time I remember feeling envy and awe. It became a dream - something to aspire too - someday.
Fast forward to 2003...
John and I had been married for six years. We had two children and one on the way. We had sold our tiny house and needed a place to live - immediately. John built me my house on the hill. Not the same hill but this one was way better. Now, everyday I am surrounded with a similar beauty I had loved and longed for 10 years prior.
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| Summer 2005 |
We lived vicariously through John's parents who were returning to their roots and building a small farm. Every time we visited we enjoyed a trip to the barn to see the sheep, goats and chickens. In the summer their cattle would graze in our pasture.
As our children grew we decided it would be manageable to have a few chickens. And so our farm began.
BLACKberry Fields - Present day...
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| Tamworth weaner |
Today we have 20 laying hens and a rooster who wander the yard and 30 more on the way. Thirty other chickens will be raised for meat. Four piglets arrived last week. They are being pasture raised for their meat. A trio of lambs will arrive next week to help with the grass cutting and be sold in the fall. Two bee hives are being relocated here to expand their pollen source and provide us with honey. We are in the process of securing a cow or two.
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| Amy and John installing fence posts |
Sending much love and gratitude from my piece of heaven here on the hill.
Steph xo
