This weekend we took delivery of 13 more Gulf Coast Ewes.  They are still not too sure about us, but I think they’ll warm up pretty soon.

http://www.edibleaustin.com/content/editorial/editorial/609?task=view

Shaun

Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance

The USDA has announced that it is dropping NAIS!

This is a major victory for the grassroots!! Thank you to the
thousands of people who called, wrote, organized meetings, and more.
Dozens of organizations, from across the country and the full range
of the political spectrum, worked together on this common cause. And
we succeeded in making our voices heard.

USDA has stated that it is refocusing its efforts on “a new, flexible
framework” that will apply only to animals moved in interstate
commerce and encourage the use of “lower-cost” technology. During
today’s conference call with USDA, I asked whether the agency would
continue using federal funding to pressure states to adopt the
program through cooperative agreements. In response, Secretary
Vilsack stated that USDA has gotten a “failing grade” on NAIS and
that he does NOT intend to try to implement it through the back door.

You can read more details from USDA at:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/faq_traceability.pdf

We still have more work in front of us. As USDA develops its new
framework, we must be involved and vocal, so that agribusiness does
not develop yet another high-tech, big-industry boondoggle. We must
be active at the state level to ensure that the state agencies do not
implement unnecessary and burdensome rules. And we must work to roll
back the unfair requirements that have already been implemented in
Wisconsin and Michigan. Ultimately, it is up to us – as animal
owners, homesteaders, farmers, ranchers, and consumers — to build a
positive vision for our farms and our food.

Thank you all!

The summer was brutal.  The pastures suffered greatly, but with proper mulching our garden was able to thrive.  The sheep did very well too.  To our surprise they managed to thrive on the weeds that could bear the drought.  Sunflower, pictured in the previous post is a big girl now, nearly 100 lbs.  Not to bad for a seven-month old.  We didn’t even touch our hay supply until January, and still they don’t eat much of it.  That gives us hope for year round grazing even in a very difficult year.

The hens probably had it the worst.  They made it through, but cut way back on laying.  We had to look at the chickens and their rotation through the pasture as a means to provide fertilizer.

Now it’s cool and wet.  We are busily preparing for this growing season.  The Garden is tilled.  The ewes will begin within a week.  We are brimming with anticipation.

With Love,

Amy + Shaun