Dear Curiosity Journal,
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of visiting Rainbow Meadows Farm to learn about their sheep operation and observe their shearing process. I just love visiting other farmers and seeing how they manage, problem solve, and set themselves up for success. Agriculture is so unique to each person’s land, animals, crops, equipment, buildings, and skill sets, that there are literally an endless number of ways to go about it. If we are open to it, we can learn so much from each other. I really loved Katie’s set up for shearing, hoof trimming, and flock health checks. The shearing stand she built makes it manageable for her to work the sheep (mostly on her own) and also appeared less stressful on the ewes than flipping them around. I’ve already asked Rufus to build me one. Her granary was also impressive, with a diverse mix of oats, barley, alfalfa, corn, lamb grower, mineral, and molasses. I haven’t asked Rufus to build me a granary yet, but I probably should, as my barley is currently riding around in my trunk. Finally, I got to snuggle new baby lambs that were beyond adorable, as well as see the Jacobs lambs that will be joining us at Keewaydin at the beginning of May. I’m super grateful to Katie for inviting me to Rainbow Meadows. The icing on the cake was having a lamb born that day named JOY!
~Joy
