Circle M Farm

We got our baby meat chickens this past week – 100 of them mailed to us in a box! See the video here…. continued »

Here are some snapshots of life in the small mama corral at Circle M. This is where we’ll keep the moms and babies penned until the grass grows enough for them to head out onto pasture. continued »

Our little mama corral is alive with running, jumping, exploring babies these days. Here are some sights and sounds from the Circle M barnyard:

Spot is about a week old here, and he and his mom, Cricket, have just been let out of the lambing jug (a 10-by-10-foot private pen) into the corral with the other moms and babies. He’s a bit nervous, but having fun getting to know all his fellows in the barnyard. Cricket will keep him close and safe. I like how you can hear so many of the farm’s sounds – spring peepers, chickens, dogs…

Now Spot is getting more comfortable with life on the outside. continued »

We have just about concluded our spring birthing season here at Circle M, and we’ve got a mom-n-tot corral full of healthy nursing families. What a joy to watch lambs and goat kids explore and stretch the limits of their spindly legs. continued »

At last! After a week and a half of every-four-hour (day and night!) baby inspection trips to the barn, we’ve been rewarded with two goat bucklings and three lambs – two ewes and a ram. All were born between 1 and 2:30 am this morning. All are healthy and adorable. None yet have names. Check back soon for pics and info…

This is a short little dark video of Spot quietly nibbling on my feet last night. continued »

Yesterday morning the first of our spring lambs arrived – just in time for Easter and just as cute as can be. This little ramling is named Spot, for obvious reasons. continued »

This past Sunday I seeded a bunch of the poisonous plants we’ll enjoy eating this summer. That’s right – many of our favorite hot-season staples are actually members of the nightshade family. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are all part of this potentially toxic group, which also includes tobacco, petunia, mandrake, the datura flower and “deadly nightshade,” also known as belladonna. While some people do exhibit sensitivities to the food members of this family, many cultures ascribe great medicinal qualities to them. Most of us just find them delicious. continued »