I have some entertaining pictures of recent sheep activity. After 45 days in the barn, the ewes express their restlessness with weird stunts. Activity #1 – Fighting BFL 129 Amelia and Border Leicester 1736 go head to head, with our resident ram lamb goading them on. Sheep flocks have a hierarchy, and apparently these girlsContinue reading “Sheep Behaving Badly”
Category Archives: Other Farm Life
Running of the Rams
I felt grateful for a morning full of sunshine this morning. We’re well past our first frost and we know that snow is right around the corner, so it wasn’t surprising to step out to 35F temperatures and a crisp wind. I usually get started by filling the water tank in the bucket of theContinue reading “Running of the Rams”
Winter Chores
We have arrived successfully at the quietest time of year. The ewes are eating and gestating, quietly growing and waiting. The rams have calmed down and decided to get along again. Every morning, I put on my coat, hat and gloves and head to the barn. The ewes are eager to see me. They haveContinue reading “Winter Chores”
Review: “Fibershed” by Rebecca Burgess
I just finished reading Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists and Makers for a New Fiber Economy. Reading this book was like reading a book I wish I had written – I am completely on board with the author’s concerns about our current clothing system and vision for a new one. I hope thisContinue reading “Review: “Fibershed” by Rebecca Burgess”
UnGlamorous
This is the unglamorous time of year. The two big Sheep and Wool festivals we do are over, and it’s time to get back to routine farmwork, All but the most stubborn leaves have blown off the trees and hit the ground. Frost has ceased the growth of the grass, so all grazing now isContinue reading “UnGlamorous”
Our Bountiful Wild Harvest
At Cloverworks Farm, we raise lamb as an enterprise plus chicken and ducks for our own use. We also have some wild foods on the farm – you may recall that a few months ago, we were hastily picking a variety of berries. Now is the harvest time for our apples, crabapples and rosehips. WeContinue reading “Our Bountiful Wild Harvest”
Our Chef Dinner
Yesterday got a little hectic, I won’t pretend otherwise. At the farmer’s market, a family of five came by and expressed interest in joining us for our Chef Dinner. I was feeling prepared for our small contingent, but almost doubling the guest list meant we needed to kick into high gear. I was so excitedContinue reading “Our Chef Dinner”
Cloverworks Farm in the Media
If you’ve ever ridden in the car with me, you probably know that I’m a bit of a public radio buff. I am a huge fan of VPR, and particularly of Brave Little State, which is a podcast about questions about quirky Vermont topics. Recently, a question I asked was featured on the program! MyContinue reading “Cloverworks Farm in the Media”
On Farm Dinner
Join us on the farm for a dinner celebrating the harvest. Craftsbury chef Nadav Mille will be preparing a tantalizing menu of foods using lamb from our farm and other local ingredients. Chef Nadav’s cooking is vibrant with flavor and creativity – I sincerely hope you will consider joining us for this special evening. IfContinue reading “On Farm Dinner”
Berry Picking
Many days leave me feeling utterly spoiled. Even with a huge bruise on my leg from handling a lamb who didn’t want to be medicated and scratches on my arms from moving through rough brush, I feel like the most fortunate person alive. After a long day of work, I took a moment to walkContinue reading “Berry Picking”