Hobbit: You! Mr. Bilbo where’re you off to? Bilbo Baggins: I’m already late. Hobbit: Late for what? Bilbo Baggins: I’m going on an adventure. The Hobbit by J.R. R. Tolkien The Gotland adventure began a year ago, when we brought two Gotland ewes to our farm. In another four months, 5 more Gotland sheep arrived to our mountainside from far … Read More
One year ago, we set out on a long journey to bring a small flock of Gotland sheep to our farm in Vermont. It all began with a rental van, and two Gotland ewes. Prior to that, I had only read about Gotland sheep and their lovely wool, but had never wrapped my arms around their wooly necks. Now, I own … Read More
When the crickets chirp all day in the grass, and the sun begins to set by eight o’clock in the evening, I know that fall is lurking just around the corner. By the beginning of September, I want my winter hay for the sheep in the barn, A common question that new shepherds often ask is, “How do you … Read More
Loft and warmth, that is how I would describe my latest knitting project. At last, I found the time to join in on a Fringe Hatalong. A friend nudged me to knit the Hermaness by Gudrun Johnston-I would knit it in my Gotland worsted weight, and she would knit it in her Bluefaced Leicester. So I cast on, excited to … Read More
The sign at the end of the road reads, “Sheep Dog Trials” and an arrow guides you down the long dirt road to the farm at the end. Here you find border collies, sheep, and spectators. The Sheep Dog Trial at Spring Valley Farm is in the quiet village of Strafford, Vermont. Handlers come from as far away as Canada to … Read More
