Having animals seems essential to a smallholding. This view is not shared by everyone, but for us they are incredibly important. In the  method of farming and gardening good compost is crucial. Our woolies, chooks, and pig provide us with that compost from their manure and bedding. They also provide us with fibre, eggs, meat and labour. Not to mention their companionship. Having a group of sheep play chase with you is priceless!

Our philosophy is to use machinery as little as possible and to create a closed loop system, or as close as we can come. A closed loop system is where both the inputs and almost all the outputs stay on farm. Some of the outputs leave the farm as products such as food, fibre, wood, or stoc.

Although we will never be a complete closed loop (we will always have to buy hay in) we get close in many ways. The bedding from the barn is composted and Biodynamic preparations are applied. After the compost process has been completed the finished compost is then applied to our gardens.

The forest gardens are a system unto themselves. They have different flora and fauna to the rest of the property. The first forest gardens will soon no longer need additional compost as they are just on the brink of being a closed loop.Our compost will continue to build upon the existing forest gardens on the property as well as improving the pasture.

Chickens: eggs and meat

coulourful eggs

We have a variety of rare and heritage breeds.  They have the entire property to roam around on and sometimes visit the neighbours as well.

 During the summer we also have pastured meat birds. They  have access to fresh grass every day and like all of our chickens are fed NON-GMO food along with any scraps from the kitchen and gardens.

Sheep

Yes, our flock has names. They are Izzy, Hermonie, Harry, and ram Thomas. All are either full or part shetland, a "primitive" breed that is very hardy and small. We use their wool for clothing, crafting, and anything else we can think of. Throughout the grazing season they are rotated around their pasture. This is to cut down on worms and to give the pasture a break in between.

Pot-Belled Pig: Piggy plow

We brought home Piggles  with the intention of having her be a "pigarator" to root up our pasture. This she has done and has been a great labour saving friend. She is here as a rescue and willl continue to be our piggy plow.