Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Shepherding Camp Giveaway!

TO ENTER THE SHEPHERDING WEEKEND GIVEAWAY POST A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG ENTRY. 

So much news and so little time to write it in! I am sitting at Logan Airport getting ready to board a flight to Cleveland (by way of Philly. Go figure.)  to attend a travel show for the MV Chamber of Commerce, so I will try to get as much of this posted as I can before I have to board and then I'll update it again in Philly or Cleveland.

So the first bit of BIG news is that I have given notice at my "real" job and will be a full-time shepherd as of May 2nd. This is such a big step for our farm and I am so grateful to all of you for making it possible.  It was a tough decision to give up the security of a weekly paycheck, but I was essentially working two full-time jobs and something had to give. I will use to extra time to ramp-up our marketing efforts and spend a glorious summer taking care of the flock and selling our yarns at the MV Farmers Market on Saturdays and Wednesdays. I have also started to advertise our Shepherding Camp on ravelry. If people are interested, it will take up a lot of my time as well. 

The next piece of BIG news is that we are doubling the size of our flock. This came about when I accidentally changed the number of fall shares available on etsy. I kept putting off fixing it because it required me to figure out how many we had sold since I made the mistake and then to calculate the correct number of shares left. Now, ya'll know how much I hate math. So one night when Patrick once again reminded me that I needed to fix the number of shares, I said, jokingly, "Can't we just double the size of the flock so I don't have to?" We looked at each other for a minute and I guess neither of us could think of any reason not to. And that's how we make important business decisions around here!

I have already picked out 8 new wethers (castrated males; we already have too many intact males.) and 2 new buck kids that are bottle babies. I know, I know. I swore up and down that I didn't want bottle babies this year. BUT. But I will have plenty of time to tend them without a job. AND they are really great for when visitors come because they are so people-friendly. AND I was at my dear friends Sara and Dan's house this weekend and they had 7 bottle babies this year (out about a million kids that they had) and I missed having babies to feed. So there.

The really important thing to know about this is that releasing more shares will absolutely not effect the amount of yarn you receive for your shares. I think I should repeat that. It absolutely will not effect the amount of yarn you receive for your share. Not only are we doubling the number of goats we have but we are adding more adults who produce more fiber. 

We will be releasing more shares in the Spring of '09 as well because we are really going to be focusing on the Cormos this fall. I'm going on a ewe-buying spree after the Festival and I hope we can buy at least 10 more.
I was in New York last weekend to pick out dye colors for the yarn that we are selling at the Fiber Fest and in the etsy store. Someone on ravelry (Sedress?) suggested that we stick with our herbs and spices theme and that's just what we did. The yarn will be in colors like saffron, sage, paprika, lavender, parsley and a few more that I can't remember off the top of my head. 

Sara and I dyed some of the lavender while I was there. It was so much fun that I came home and ordered a bunch of dye so I can start doing it myself. I also got to help with the fiber processing while I was there. It was very educational and fun, because Sara and Dan are always fun. I took some pictures of the equipment used to process the fiber into yarn but my camera battery died almost as soon as I got there so there aren't nearly enough pics.


This is the Picker. The clean fiber goes through here first...


and comes out all fluffy like this.


This is the Carder. Dan and Sara have two of these. 


And then a lot of other steps that I didn't get pictures of happen and it gets spun into yarn and then it goes on the skein winder, pictured here. 


This is undyed, uncarded fiber.

And here is some that Sara dyed.

In addition to spending the day at Buckwheat Bridge Angoras with Dan and Sara, I dropped 80 pounds of fleeces off for washing and processing at another mill. I will be getting back lots of raw fleece, Cotswold roving and Cotswold yarn.

Oh- so much going on that I totally forgot this- the Babydoll Southdown that I sent to Michigan to be made into fleece just came back in the form of quilt batts. Thanks to all you quilters who encouraged me to do this; I can't stand seeing any fleece going to waste! I can't wait to finish my quilt and sleep under the warmth of our sheep. The same mill that made them can also make comforters and pillows from wool but that are a bit pricey.

I am so excited to have shareholder Zarya and her family coming to visit on Thursday. I know I've said this before but it bears repeating- If you can't make it to the farm for Fiber Fest or the Fall Shearing Celebration you are welcome whenever you can get here. This is your flock and I want all of you to get to meet them if you possibly can. 

We moved the four older kids- Thyme, Sage, Chive and Basil- out to the pasture at Felix Neck yesterday. It was so nice to see them bouncing around in the fresh air! I got a little teary.  There was a bit of a learning curve as the babies and mamas have been living in super-close proximity since they were born and now they must keep a closer eye on each other. There were a whole lot of hysterical mamas calling for their babies yesterday when they were within a couple of feet of one another. 

We also moved the fence yesterday because, Jesus be good to me, there is green grass growing!  The sheep and goats made a beeline for the fresh greens and did a lot of grateful baa-ing with their mouths full. It was rather hilarious actually. 

Sedress asks in the comments about Nanny 13, she the victim of a vicious rooster attack in March. She has completely healed and seems no worse for the experience. Dan Rather proved rather more difficult to get rid of than I had anticipated. For about a week or so after I evicted him from the hoop house he hung around outside the door trying to get back in every time I opened the door. He also attacked me every time I got out of the truck, which jangled my nerves something fierce. 

Plan B was to take him somewhere in the woods and set him free. I lured him into a dog carrier and drove him out to the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night but he refused to get out of the carrier. He hung on to the sides of that thing like his life depended on it, which, I guess, it did. 

And I actually began to admire his tenacity. So I took him back to the hoop house and put him in the small chicken coop outside until I could figure out what plan C was. A couple of people indicated that they wouldn't mind, shall we say, dispatching him, but I put it off hoping another option would come along.  Someone suggested giving him to the World of Reptiles and Birds, a quirky Vineyard operation run by wildlife expert and true gentleman Gus Ben David. Gus is always looking for prey for his raptors apparently. And while that felt very "Circle of Life-y" I couldn't go through with it.

So Dan Rather is still living alone in his luxurious condominium (originally built for 12 chickens) and will be moving to Tisbury Meadows with the bucks and rams later in April. I'm hoping that having plenty of space will cool his jets and make him live-withable again, but if it doesn't, I AM GETTING RID OF HIM. I mean it this time.

Now, for what you all really want to see. Baby pictures! A couple of you have asked if I can make the photos bigger. The sort answer is I'm not sure, but I'm gonna try.
 


This picture of Juniper nursing on the day she was born cracks me up.


Sweet Juniper


Cilantro and Tarragon


Sassafras and Saffron


I love this picture of S & S sleeping.

Excepting bottle babies, Oregano is the friendliest goat I have ever known. Every time Patrick or I walk into the kidding barn Oregano comes running over to be picked up. He is such a sweetie! I know he will outgrow this behavior and will learn from his mama to fear us but I am really enjoying him now.

Remember when I told you that I have no life and spent my Saturday night skirting last year's fleeces? Here is a picture of one of the Cotswold fleeces I was working on.


This is one of Ernie's fleeces that I dropped off for processing. Ernie is our huge-a-mongus Cotswold wether. He is white, although you'd never know it from looking at him in the weeks before shearing. All the animals are at their grungiest right now. But it's really only the surface of the fleece that is dirty. When I flipped it over it looked like...


this. All of the dirt washes out when it is processed anyway, but sometimes people seem a little concerned when they see their future yarn looking so filthy. We had visitors at the kidding barn the other day who asked what color our Angoras are. I didn't understand the question at first and then I couldn't stop laughing. 

In other news, Patrick and I have spent a lot of time thinking about our business and it's mission in the last few months. Among other things, we are redoubling our efforts to run MVFF in as environmentally responsible a way as possible. We also want to share our success with other small farms who are in the same position we were in not so long ago, when processing our fleeces was completely cost prohibitive. So we are going to start buying high quality fleeces from other small farms at fair prices and processing them into yarn to sell in our etsy store. We are also spreading the gospel of yarn/fiber CSAs as a business model that can work for small fiber farmers. I've have had half a dozen emails from small farmers who want to know how to set up a CSA! I am as excited about this as I am about the good things happening for us. 

I had stopped writing much about Fiber Fest here because I didn't want the people who couldn't come to be bored to tears by the details, so I have limited myself to posting about it on ravelry. But someone recently pointed out that not all of our shareholders have received their ravelry invitations yet, so please shoot me an email if you have any questions about the big to-do that we are putting together on April 19th. 

Finally, the Shepherding Camp Giveaway! Okay, here's the deal. This giveaway is for one two-night, three-day weekend for up to two people (who don't mind sharing a room with twin beds) on the beautiful Island on Martha's Vineyard on a mutually agreeable date. The trip includes lodging and three meals a day and all the farm work you can stand. The winner will spend the weekend at our townhouse (we do not live on the land where our animals live. Some day...) and on our farm, getting to know the flock, doing morning and evening chores with us and learning everything you ever wanted to know about the gentle animals that grow your yarn. Of course, if you want to spend some of your time at the beach, that's okay too.  You do not have to be a shareholder to win. 

The fine print: we really want to get the word out about MVFF in general and the Shepherding Camp in particular, so I am going to do the drawing when we have received comments on the thread from 300 individuals who want to enter. So email this url to you friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, preschool gymnastics coach, milkman and dog groomer. (If you know anyone in North Dakota, South Dakota or West Virginia in particular, because, according to the analytic software we use, no one from those states has ever visited at the blog. Weird, huh? I mean, people in 26 countries visit regularly, but the Dakotas and West Virginia remain elusive. What gives? It's starting to bug me.) 

As soon as we get to 300 I will  let the random number generator work it's random magic and we will announce the winner. So get to commenting. If you commented before I updated this post [I'm talking to you Sedress] you don't need to comment again saying you want to enter. Of course you want to enter- everybody wants a free vacation on Martha's Vineyard!

UPDATED TO ADD: Post your comments on this post to be entered in the drawing. Thanks for pointing out the confusion, Deb.

Oh, one more thing. My awesome new best friend Julie Roads has done an awesome website for an awesome book called I’m Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo. Bonobos are these really amazing primates that I had never heard of and now I am fascinated by them. The site is designed for kids, but not in an icky, Webkinz way. Julie is amazing and if you are looking for a web marketing person you won't find a better one. She also has two of the cutest babies you've ever seen and the day they visited our babies was one marked by dangerous cuteness. I would post the pictures I took here but some of you may not have your protective eyewear on, so I will refrain. Anyway, the website is www.bonobokids.org. Check it out.

Off to board another plane. More soon.


UPDATED TO ADD: I am so scatter-brained today! Totally forgot to put in a plug for my friend Guido's podcast- It's a Purl Man. I am this week's guest. If you promise not to think that that is really what my voice sounds like you can hear the interview here. Guido is a self-professed comment whore, so give the man some love.

96 comments:

Scribble A Day said...

Oh, Susie, what exciting news. congratulations to you on having the gumption to take this step. Granny Aching would be real proud of you.
When you get a chance, could you let us know how Nanny #13 did, recovering from her rooster attack? And if there have been any random rooster reports on the Vineyard? [I was doing battle with the squirrel who attacks and destroys my bird feeders yesterday and it got me thinking of problem animals.]

rubycakes said...

Congrats on your new direction! You are truly living my dream and greatly appreciate the insights you share with us.

Love hearing about and seeing the photos of the fiber processing.

pegomyheart said...

Love your column, your pictures and look forward to a visit to the farm. And yes, I would love working on it for a weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Okay, wow--what a monster post, so much to absorb!

I think it's brave and wonderful of you to switch to full-time shepherding. I haven't met you yet, but just reading this blog, I think that sounds like absolutely the right choice for you. So. cool.

And then, the pictures, the rooster, the sheep baaing with their mouths full, the wool processing . . . so many good things!

And, oh, I WANT some of that Parsley yarn!

--Deb said...

And, for the shepherding camp, what thread? I'll send people your way, but I want to be sure to send them to the right place!

Heidi G said...

Oh my goodness - congratulations! You must be so nervous & excited. I'm happy to hear that other folks will get to join in on this great community. Thanks for all you do, Susie!

Susan said...

Deb, remind me when you are here to talk to you about knitting professionally for a very famous MV sheep farm (not mine!). You-know-who is looking for knitters and you are one of the best knitters I've ever seen. The famous farm owner will be at Fiber Fest so if you are interested you should talk to her then.

Susan said...

p.s. My comments don't count toward the 300! I want to go to "Wear-clean-clothes-for-three-hours-in-a -row" Camp. If you know of one let me know.

Quirkles said...

Susan: Congrats on giving up your regular job to fully focus on the farm. I am so thankful for what you are doing. It cheers me every time I think of it, and I can't wait to meet you and the animals. Where should people post to be eligible for the shepherding giveaway? I'll pass it along once I have it.
Jessica

Susan said...

I have really made a mess of this! Post here to win the giveaway. Sorry for the confusion.
BTW- I am still in the airport in Philly- my flight from Boston was delayed so long that I missed my connection in Philly. Now the flight they put me on from Philly to Cleveland is late. I spent the whole day in airports which probably explains the jumbo-sized update.

Anonymous said...

You're still stuck in Philadelphia? You poor thing....

I hope you waved as you flew overhead on your way there!

(And, famous farm-owner???)

Unknown said...

Ooooooh, pick me pick me. I love baby goats. Now I am thinking, hmm, more spring shares, maybe I need a yarn share as well as a spinner's share?

Anonymous said...

WOWOWWW! What excitement!

*I'm officially adding my comment*

I love your pictures and can't wait to see the little critters in person. Unfortunately I never heard back from a couple of places I called and now there is no room at the Inn during Fiber Fest (I must find a place that accepts dogs). Hubby and I are considering a day trip, but I'm not sure yet. If it doesn't work out, I definitely want to come down this summer!

Keep up your incredible work, and congratulations on becoming a full time shepherdess! I'm green with envy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Susam - congrats on your new direction.

As usual, love the pictures of the youngins.

Famous farm owner !!!!!!!!
Joan

caracolina said...

Congratulations on your new direction! And how timely to add to the flock now that you're free to focus on your "real" job. Thanks for posting new photos, as always, they are super adorable.

And, please, please, please, random number generator, pick me!!!! ^_^

Best wishes from Arizona,
Caroline

Anonymous said...

Viva la Fiber! The dying and processing photos are really super neat!

Can you give Dan Rather the rooster a Prozac?

Elsie said...

How exciting!! Congrats to you on ditching the day job and following the fleece. Cheers and I would LOVE to be on your farm for a weekend and shovel poop.

Kathleen said...

Susan,
I'm so excited for you! I can imagine what it's like to let go and follow your heart.
I want to come visit so badly - all the wonderful photos and reading your blog certainly give me pause. Don't think I could convince my city husband to move to a farm though.... it's a thought :-)
I'll have to live vicariously through you until then.

Can't wait to come visit and I'll work on the farm any day....

New Shearholder, Kathleen

Fanamama said...

Yeah! Yahoo! Yipee! You did it and you're a full time Shepherd Momma! Good for you! You are an inspiration to all of us who long to change our lives! Wish I could come to the fest but it will have to be later...The pictures are wonderful and I want to hug them all!
Lisa in Buffalo

Anonymous said...

I loved seeing the process involved in making the yarn! And I'm so excited about the the giveaway.

Jenny said...

You know, when I bought my share I kind of figured I was doing this very out-of-MY-ordinary thing, and that if I gave myself a chance to think about it I'd probably not do it, since $100 means a lot to me, but I can't tell you how INTO this farm I am! I am so excited to come meet you and all the goats and sheep, especially the adorable little ones. I am so excited that I bought the share, and I tell people about it all the time. I love that I am a part of your farm, and I fully plan on continuing to be a part of it.

In the meantime, congratulations on the amazing news! Doing this full time AND doubling your flock is AMAZING news!!! I am so blown away by what you're doing here, the steps you're taking with your farm, the sustainability and the help you're giving to smaller farms, not to mention just the concept of a fiber CSA. It's really awesome and it's inspiring to me, as I work in a job that I like but is not my passion. You really bring us into your farm with these posts.

Crista said...

Susie:
I think I want your life! Continue to follow your passion.

Crista said...

Way to go -- follow your passion!

BeccakBecca said...

I am so excited about the Fiber Festival! I cannot wait to meet the goats. :)

Please pick me to win a weekend of farm chores! Who knew I could be so excited about shoveling poopy hay?

Sarah T. said...

What a momentous occasion - welcome to full time farm life and congrats! I'll see if I can scare up family blog visitors - but unfortunately none of them live in your elusive states... how deeply weird...

:) sarah

ms. crafty said...

The kids are just the cutest things I've ever set eyes upon. I can't believe they snuggle!

Congrats on the full-time farming. Keeping my fingers crossed I win a weekend of chores :-)

m0nk3y mark said...

how absolutely cool. I'd love to try my hand at shepherding :-) And i'm sure my little kiddlet would love to try petting something other than our cats!

Anonymous said...

I love to pop in now & then to hear about the flock, and I don't even own any shares!

Good luck on your 'new' full time job!

Katom Burke said...

you are so brave to follow your heart...many people never do.

i'd love to give shepherding a try...is it like chasing a toddler? i am getting good at that.

Kate

Anonymous said...

Oh how I would love shepherding camp! I noticed the double entry on etsy and wondered what was up...congrats on making the big jump! I can't wait to see how the farm continues to develop.

Michele said...

May 2 is my birthday! I'm glad you decided to pick that day to be a full time shepherd ;)

Minnie said...

I definitely want in!

I actually just told a couple of Ravelers about it, so hopefully they'll stop in. :)

Anonymous said...

please enter me in the contest.thanks

Anonymous said...

I'd love to go to Shepherding Camp and take my sweet, fiber-loving wife :) We are always looking for a fun adventure, and don't mind putting in some hands-on work.

Thanks!

Zoe said...

congrats on being a shepherdess full time!

Please enter me in the contest!

Marissa said...

I'm loving your pictures of the kids!! Congrats on quitting your job!

Anonymous said...

Had you just told me in our interview that you would be giving the shepherd thing away I would have kept the interview a secret for another two weeks while I created fake names that I could add to this list.

Oh well, I guess everyone is going to get a fair chance at it... Sign me up for shepherding weekend goodness.

Anonymous said...

That is so exciting for you!

Love the pictures of the babies :-)

Becky and Brian said...

i am so excited to be part of your CSA and look forward to meeting you at the festival this April.

congrats on your new plans and i can't wait to hear more about your camp.

Writer Bug said...

I love hearing about Dan Rather escapades, especially since he and my husband got into a bit of a brawl... And please count this as an entry into the contest!

Trinity said...

I wish I had known about the festival earlier because I wouldn't have scheduled a trip during that weekend. I've lived in the Boston area for nearly 5 years and have yet to venture to the cape or the vineyard. Maybe I can make up for it by coming down another time....like for camp!

The CSA is such a brilliant idea.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and "wear clean clothes for 3 hours in a row" camp? That would be our house--you should come visit! Chappy would be beyond thrilled, and what with all the MV paraphenalia around, you'll feel right at home.

katy said...

Please enter me on the shepherding weekend! I would love to come visit the farm firsthand!

Mary, Mary... said...

Austin TX is sending giant waves of positive karma your way. My 11 and 9-year old boys have become 'kid' freaks while their mother dreams of fiber....

kelly said...

Sign me up!

Love your blog, your sweet photos, and your great personality -- would love to come visit.

Keep up the great work and congratulations on all good things happening to you -- you deserve it!

Elena said...

I'd love to enter the contest! It sounds like things are really booming for you, congrats!

Linda in Anchorage said...

I'm excited to be a shareholder (with hubby Mike), and now you have Shepherding Camp - I'm excited about that, too, and your contest is a good idea! Please sign me up! Lovely to see the lamb photos!

j0zzzz said...

Heck yeah! Shepherding for a weekend sounds excellent!

woolies said...

wow. and more wow. look at Juniper, and listen to all your news. You can send Dan Rather this way, the coyotes and bobcats will be happy to see him.
if only I could sell lots of my stuffed animals, I would buy a share. Would LOVE to buy a share......
sara

becca said...

whoo hoo please add my name to the hat! What a wonderful chance to travel, learn and get dirty . . .

Cornelia said...

Congratulations on becoming a full-time Shepherdess! (that's MY title at work, too, but I don't get to enjoy such sweet critters).
We at Farm Aid want to congratulate you on your achievement: creating a market for your wares as a farmer - we like to show off people like you! Bravo!

Jennette said...

This is so exciting! Congratulations on taking the leap. I hope you can feel all the good vibes and moral support coming your way.

nekosan said...

Here's my comment. =D

Your sheep are so cute!

Jocerane said...

Your little lambs are so cute!!!! I love the one sleeping like a...carpet!

Julie said...

Shepherding camp sounds like the perfect way to get your feet wet, what a great idea!

KnitChickKim said...

Pick me! Pick me! LOL.

By the way, Al loved the wonderful black socks I bought from you for his birthday. He's told everyone that they came from "our" sheep. ~:o)

Mary Heather said...

Those lambs look absolutely adorable! I would love to be able to come and play with them! :)

Anonymous said...

Count me in! It sounds like great fun!

jordi said...

Hi Susan, I am totally with you on the subject of Dan Rather, I couldn't have forced him out of the carrier either! Poor fellow he just can't quite get over himself.
I am SO wishing I could come for the big weekend, but things are too tight right now, and I will wait to see all the photos and live vicariously this time.
Glad also that the job is dropping by the wayside. You need to do that bit of trusting yourself...

Lots of great wishes,
jordi

Anonymous said...

My favorite part of my work week is reading the farm updates with a cup of tea in one hand and a dream of not sitting in an office occupying part of my brain. This post made my desire to "follow my bliss" even stronger. Thanks for helping me mover my dreams off the back burners.

Ellen said...

Have an absolutely fabulous fiber fest!
Can't wait to hear/read all about it.

Quality Chick said...

Heres my comment! Hope it is lucky! I just signed up for a CSA share so I would love to work for my wool.

Anonymous said...

Will you provide a complementary shepherd's crook?

Anonymous said...

I don't think that I would be able to bring one of my shelties with me so I hope I would not need to bring a dog with me :)

ayearandaday said...

I hope my comment is lucky too! Congrats on leaving your job. I love what you're doing!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Count me in I have work boots. My cousin lives some where there.
Cindy

Laura said...

I've enjoyed reading your farm adventures! The babies are enchanting! I hope to meet you at the fiber fest!

Unknown said...

You live my dream life! Or at least what I think is my dream life. Sheepherding camp may prove me right or wrong!

Michele said...

We need more comments;)

LiquidLace said...

Susie, you're an inspiration for having the vision and guts to follow your heart! You've created your own "field of dreams," and it's certain that many people will come to it--especially to the Fiber Festival this coming weekend...me among them!

Dan Rther sounds just like a couple of attack roosters we had some years ago. Rusty and Random were ornery beyond belief and actually drew blood from us many times. My son used to keep a pile of sticks at his bus stop so he could fend them off as he walked to the house. Thank goodness those two critters finally ran afoul of the Great Raccoon in the Sky!

Please enter my name in the contest for the Shepherding Weekend Camp. I'll bring my own real shepherd's crook (made my a sheep farmer in Cumbria--northern England), and my maiden name was Shepherd. How much more appropriate could that be?

Thanks for doing such a great thing and letting all of us participate, even a little bit. I'm very much looking forward to the Fiber Festival and being able to meet you in person!
Carol

Anonymous said...

I'm loving this blog and loving the pictures! I'd love to enter the contest. Thanks!

Mary said...

Hope it's not too late to enter the contest. Love the farm, the idea and the location. My favorite animals located in one of the most wonderful places on earth!

Now to go learn some more about the CSA!

Mary

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! It's so exciting! I love seeing pictures of the little kiddies, they're so cute : ) I'm entering in the Shepherding Camp giveaway, that sounds like it would be so wonderful!

Stephanie said...

Ohh ohh, random number generator pick me!!!!! I am a mamma to 8 kiddos who would LOVE to work on a farm for a weekend to get a break from my day in and out...did I mention I'm a spinner and someday I would love a sheep or two and some chickens:)

girlwithasword said...

I JUST signed up for the CSA and could not be more excited. I will spend some time reading the whole blog, and I'm off to join the ravelry group too!

Stephen said...

I really like reading all about the sheep and goats every week, and I'm looking forward to coming out to Martha's Vineyard this weekend! I love the colors for your new yarn, too!

Jackie said...

Hi, Can I please be entered into your contest? I'm a knitter, but I know nothing about the growing/making of yarn and it sounds like it would be really interesting!

Anonymous said...

spending a weekend with sheep would be a dream come true. for many years i have wanted to live with sheep, i can't explain why, but i do. i love the concept of the csa for fiber and mostly i am focusing my buying on local from the sourced as i do with food. wow what a great life you have.

Anonymous said...

I just discovered you this evening thanks to your ad on Ravelry.

In fact, I was so excited I instantly emailed a link to your site to my hubby saying "some wives ask for diamonds for their anniverary -- I'd rather "timeshare" a sheep on the vineyard." ((BTW: We were married on Oaks Bluff.)) {VBG}

I'd love to have us go back, visit your farm for shearing day.

And good for you for following your dreams!

~Dee

PS: You're right; Guido is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Ever since I received the beautiful yarn I ordered from you, I've loved reading the blog about life on your farm and the changes you have made to make that work for you and your family. Thank you for the opportunity to be a shareholder and to learn about some of the challenges (and joys) of what you do. Karla

Anonymous said...

Yours is the first blog I've ever read, as my brother says, what are you, 100 years old or what! Well, I'm 53, so that's close! Anyway, I can see that this could become addictive,I've enjoyed reading about the farm and the photos of the lambs are soooo cute! Maybe in another life I'll start a blog, too-my brother would be too shocked. lulubell

Anonymous said...

What could be better than hanging out with sheep & goats on Martha's Vineyard! What an opportunity to explore your farm girl self in such a lovely setting.
pauliegirl

Foodiemom said...

Read about your farm this morning in the Wall St. Journal. Congratulations! What beautiful animals you have. A spinner's dream. Will visit your shop on Etsy.

Crystal said...

My husband showed me an article about you and your farm in the Wall Street Journal while we were out eating breakfast and had to check out your site as soon as I got home. :)

Anonymous said...

I just bought my share of the fall harvest yesterday and this sounds awesome.
Please enter me.

Tina (tinadp on ravelry)

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the Giveaway. I love the pictures of the babies. They are so cute.

Anonymous said...

The above comment 4-19-08 @ 7.11 pm was mine - I forgot to leave my name. Please enter me in the contest.
Thanks, woolkitty (on ravelry)

vickymed said...

I just found out about your farm from an article my in-laws sent. What a great idea. I love the blog with all the baby pics. I hope to join the CSA soon, maybe with my mom.

Maybe you'll pick me for the shepard camp. I'd love to see how it all works!

writersblock said...

Hi, I read a story about you on the front page of the WSJ website, of all places. I used to work in film and commercial production, and, one day, we did a commercial for PSNH, a power company in New Hampshire. In some areas, they have local sheep herders graze their sheep on their property to keep the land around the lines clear. We got a great demonstration of the amazing ability of working, sheep-herding dogs, plus, we got to try a little herding of the flock, ourselves. What a fun shoot that was, though I can see how it's not an easy life. I'm also a knitter, and would love to come to Shepherding camp.

Best Wishes for your farm

Maggie

Anonymous said...

How have I completely missed knowing about you? I came to your site to look into the camp. I love this idea! I'll be emailing you for more info. Good luck.

mrslaceknitter

Anonymous said...

I would love to win!

MisterChris said...

congratulations on quitting your job and going full-on at the farm!!

i just heard of you a few days ago and bought my share yesterday. i'm so excited!!

Anonymous said...

Susie, such a nice gesture offering the giveaway so I thought I would leave a comment in the hopes that I will be surprsing my wife the gift of sending her off to shepherding camp. This past year my wife has fallen in love with spinning, dyeing, and Navajo weaving and while I signed her up for a number of workshops and we will be attending a few festivals, a shepherding camp would make for a nice addition to the activities.

Susan said...

Entering for Tabernash.

Unknown said...

Pick me please! I would love to learn more about fiber and shepherding!

Cupcake said...

Congrats! I just bought a share last night and I have been catching up on the blog here. I'm so excited about all the updates and of course the fiber!