Dig Deeper Blog

Discover stories, tips, and insights about farm life, sustainable agriculture, and authentic listing experiences.

How Can Sheep Survive Bitter Cold Weather

This post first appeared on Kim Goodling's blog at https://www.livingwithgotlands.com/. Kim is shepherdess to a flock of Gotlands, the curly sheep from Sweden. She invites farm stay guests to experience rural living, sheep, and fiber art at her farm in Vermont. See her Farm Stay U.S. listing at Vermont Grand View Farm or visit her website. We thought with all the challenging weather happening across the country right now, a post on how sheep can survive such cold temps would be interesting... enjoy!

Feb 26, 2015
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Thanksgiving on the Farm

Thanksgiving... a celebration of coming together and giving thanks for the bounty of the year. It seems natural and right that such a gathering take place on a farm, doesn't it? But not everyone has the opportunity... maybe no family farm to visit while growing up, or simply no proximity. My childhood Thanksgivings were spent with my grandparents. We had no river or woods to traverse; they hosted the festivities at their home in a Los Angeles suburb. Grandma's kitchen had cast iron pans, bacon fat saved in a jar on the stove, and my very own checked apron hanging behind the door, but it was no farm kitchen. She was a good cook, my grandma, making the most of our feast of canned cranberries, boxed cornbread, and a big frozen Butterball turkey. (And don't forget the mini marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.) I LOVED it. It's still my favorite holiday, though we make dramatically different food choices these days. Here at Farm Stay U.S. we're always checking in with our listed members to see what they're offering. The other day I ran a search on Thanksgiving Dinner to see which farms or ranches had checked that off as an activity travelers could enjoy. Thanksgiving table at the Inn at East Hill Farm The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, New Hampshire is one such farm stay where guests can enjoy a Thanksgiving feast and fully immerse themselves in farm life! During the entire Thanksgiving weekend, guests can stay any number of nights, and each overnight includes 3 meals, including Thanksgiving dinner. Milk the cow and goat, collect chicken eggs, take a pony ride, jump in the hay, and help feed the animals. The jam-packed weekend activity schedule is full of opportunities to hike, take a bread or cheese making workshop, make candles, camp fires with s'mores, and so much more. There is even a contra dance and a cocktail party! To learn more, visit the Inn at East Hill Farm's listing here on Farm Stay U.S. You can also search through all our listings to find farms, ranches, and vineyards to visit all through the year.Roast turkey, baked ham, all the sides, and all home cooked on the farm... what could be better? Happy Thanksgiving! The Inn at East Hill Farm Photos courtesy East Hill Farm, except for that amazing 70s era photo which, as you may have guessed, is me and my grandpa goofing around over the Butterball.

Nov 11, 2014
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Grand View Farm in Washington, Vermont

Grand View Farm was one of the earliest farms in the town of Washington, dating back to its initial purchase in 1794. Since then, it has passed through two other families and was finally purchased in 2004 by today’s owners the Goodling family. As the fourth family to own the farm, they have made substantial efforts to reestablish some of its agricultural history. Today, the farm’s main focus is fiber animals. The Goodlings also offer a Bed and Breakfast Farm Stay in their 19th century farmhouse. Enjoy a farm fresh organic breakfast of local foods and the farm’s own pure Vermont maple syrup, then spend some time exploring the beautiful Green Mountains and taking one of the classes offered at Grand View.

Sep 25, 2014
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Cold Moon Farm: a Vermont farm stay with quality cuisine and luxurious accommodations

Nestled into a beautiful corner of Southern Vermont, Cold Moon Farm is a relaxing retreat with an array of activities for guests. Owners Ed and Irene Glazer have created an inviting place to vacation, along with activities like learning to bake bread, picking vegetables from the garden, observing the grazing goat herd, and telling stories around a campfire, just to name a few. Cold Moon Farm, Vermont It’s often said that a kitchen is the heart of the home. Indeed, Cold Moon Farm was designed around its kitchen, which frequently serves as the gathering place for the entire farm. Guests enjoy daily fresh breakfasts, featuring eggs from the laying hens, bacon and sausage from Cold Moon’s own pigs, and raw goat milk from the farm’s herd. Add fresh-baked bread, Cold Moon Farm honey, and farm made yogurt, and you have a hearty morning start for anyone about to launch into a day of exploration. With professional appliances, all the necessary tools, and lots of storage and counter space, this is Irene’s dream kitchen, and she has generously made it available for culinary events, demonstrations, and classes. Farm stay guests, as well as individuals not spending the night, can pay a class fee and learn to bake bread, make cheese and yogurt, or harvest and prepare a farm-to-table dinner. If you can tear yourself away from the amazing kitchen, there are plenty of farm animals to visit. The Glazers raise a herd of milking goats, and South Down Baby Doll sheep for their wool. Chickens and ducks provide eggs for the farm, and in the summer months there are chickens raised for meat. Finally, a breeding pair of Large Black pigs is expected to deliver their first set of piglets early this summer, which the crew at Cold Moon Farm is eagerly anticipating. Helping guests become acclimated to all this activity is Dave Meckes, AKA "Farmer Dave", the Farm and Operations Manager. He oversees the herd and the property, and takes guests on informative farm tours. You might see some wildlife, too. Georgia LoPresti Meckes, who does Marketing and Development for the farm, says, "Our pond is the perfect place to explore for frogs and to go for a refreshing dip!" Georgia writes a blog for the farm, and is the person behind the farm's social media presence. Cold Moon Farm B&B Four guest suites make up the accommodations at Cold Moon Farm, and they all feature private baths and luxurious touches like TempurPedic mattresses, towel warmers, and tasteful Vermont decor. There are a variety of room types, for parties of different sizes, such as a Queen Bedroom suite that sleeps 2, a two-room Library Suite that can sleep up to 5 people, and a Family Room that can accommodate 7.

May 6, 2013
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New Member Spotlight: Three Sparrows Farm in Prescott, Arizona

Please say hello to our new Farm Stay U.S. member, Three Sparrows Farm! The farm has a cabin which accommodates up to four guests. They welcome kids of all ages, who are free to roam and explore, help with chores, nap on the porch, and explore the area. There are horse riding facilities and hiking trails located nearby.Farmers Doug and Erin raise Mini-Mancha goats on their two acre farm just 15 minutes from the historic town of Prescott, Arizona. Guests can enjoy fresh goat milk, plus eggs from the farm's chickens. Meet their "deceptively charming" donkey, named Button! Kids! Three Sparrows Farm** This farm is no longer active with Farmstay and may no longer welcome guests **

Jan 23, 2013
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Wilson Ranches Retreat: ride 9,000 acres and dig fossils in Oregon

Wilson Ranches Retreat is our featured ranch stay of the month! The ranch is a 9,000 acre cattle ranch in Fossil, Oregon, with plenty of opportunity for scenic horseback rides and cattle roundups, hiking, and scouring for prehistoric fossils. The Wilson Family has deep roots in the area and a fascinating story. Here's our interview with Nancy Wilson from 2012. Nancy has since passed and the ranch is now run by Phil, her husband and her daughter and son-in law, Kara and Brian.

Jun 17, 2012
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The Power of Community - Neighbors Teaching Neighbors

When I decided to raise backyard chickens three years ago, I consulted books and the internet, as it is so easy to do these days. But books and web forums didn't prepare me when one of our hens broke her leg. As a girl from the suburbs, whose only real outdoor chores growing up were weeding a lawn or raking leaves, I laugh now (and cringe a little) to recall our dash to the vet's office to have them put a splint on that little chicken leg, when, really, I could have handled it myself.

May 25, 2012
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