Kai-Resident Border Collie at Grand View Farm
19 Jun 2015

The Shepherd and His Dog-A Bond of Reciprocal Knowledge & Mutual Trust

by | posted in: Border Collies | 0

Within the first page of The Art & Science of Shepherding, the authors paint a beautiful picture of the relationship between the shepherd and his dog-a bond of “reciprocal knowledge and mutual trust”. When a hiker in Provence, France, out for a day in the mountains, sees at some distance a shepherd and his herd, he may think at first … Read More

Chloe Grazes Among the Dandlions
21 May 2015

Dandelions, Lambs and Grazing~Transitioning to Pasture

by | posted in: Ask the Shepherd | 0

Dandelion blossoms fill the field across the road, leaving yellow faces on our Romney and Gotland sheep. In the early spring, we use this field to reintroduce the sheep to grazing after the long winter of eating hay. It takes about two weeks of going back and forth from the barn to the field, eating the lush grass a little … Read More

Livestock Guard Dogs
11 May 2015

Ask the Shepherd~Livestock Guardian Dogs with Hannah Smith

by | posted in: Ask the Shepherd | 2

Part II~Protecting Your Flock-LGDs In my first post about guard animals for livestock, we explored protecting your flock of sheep with the use of miniature donkeys. Today, I have asked Hannah Smith of Vinegar Ridge Farm to talk with us about LGDs or Livestock Guardian Dogs. I first met the Smith family at the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival about 11 … Read More
7 May 2015

Ask the Shepherd ~ Guardian Donkeys

by | posted in: Ask the Shepherd | 0

Throughout the years, I have had many people ask me questions about guardian animals for their flock of sheep. Guardian donkeys make excellent guards against outside predators. Today, I have invited Jennifer King of the Sachem Farm in Connecticut to talk with us about her guard donkey, Georgia. Tell us a little about your farm and flock of sheep. I live … Read More

Fiona's Sweater
1 Apr 2015

Lambs, Spring, and Sweaters

by | posted in: Lambing | 6

Lambing season brings out my nesting instincts. Every year, just before lambs arrive, I go through this ritual of preparing for the new lambs. The barn has been swept clean. The lambing pen has been set up, ready to welcome the new lambs to the farm. I have readied my lambing kit, restocking, ordering, and taking inventory of my supplies. … Read More

1 2 3 4 5