Experiences
If you want to get up close to our yaks, this experience is perfect for you. Not only will you be able to pet their soft woolly coats, but you will be able to enjoy feeding our yaks their favorite treats.
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Sit on a bench and enjoy cuddles with our super cute Olde English Babydoll Southdown lambs and sheep. They really do live up to their nickname, ‘smiling sheep.’ Don’t forget to bring your camera!
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Want to grow your own grapes? Learn how to make verjus from your homegrown grapes. Verjus is so much more than grape juice; it makes a tasty sauce and salad dressing among many other delicious uses.
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Need some baby animals in your life? Visitors will have an opportunity to pet and interact with farm animals during this tour. This is the perfect opportunity to be hands-on with sheep, pigs, and chickens.
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A storybook setting! Have a seat on our lawn while watching Babydoll lambs and sheep as we read a book about farm animals to you.
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Join us to celebrate sheep and all that they provide us. Watch our sheep get their yearly haircut!
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Meet the Animals
Yaks
Yaks are native to the Tibetan Plateau of Central Asia and were first brought to the US and Canada in the late 1800’s. Yaks are regarded as one of the world’s most remarkable domestic animals due to their versatility. These amazing animals are an excellent source of lean meat and nutrient-rich milk, as well as high-end fiber that is warmer than wool and softer than cashmere. Yaks eat only a fraction of the forage that American cattle consume, making them less of a burden on pasture lands. Their manure doesn’t require composting, and provides excellent fertilizer for the soil.
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A fully grown male can weigh up to 1300 lbs. while females can grow as large as 600 lbs. Yaks typically live about 25 years, are basically odorless, and are known for their shaggy “skirts” and cute grunting sounds.
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Our herd consists of six females and one bull, as well as a male calf born in 2022. Three of our females have a more traditional “Tibetan” appearance, while the other three appear more “woolly” due to selective breeding. Our yaks are docile, friendly, and very intelligent… most even respond to their names being called! They love treats, scratches behind the ears, playing with one another and grazing in the pasture. Come out to the ranch and say “hello!
Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep
One of the oldest of the English breeds of sheep is the Southdown, originating on the South Down hills of Sussex County, England.
Babydoll Southdown sheep are small (approximately 18-24 inches), are not hard on the land, and make outstanding pets. They are excellent organic weeders! We love that Babydolls prefer to eat weeds before grass and are great for vineyards.
Our little Babydoll sheep make excellent companions for the young, elderly and disabled since they are very gentle and entertaining to watch. Some people refer to these sheep as the ‘smiling sheep.’ Babydolls have a calm, docile disposition that actually has a soothing effect on other livestock. Both ewes and rams are naturally polled, meaning they do not have horns.
These darling sheep produce wool that is a hand spinners delight. Babydoll sheep have a fleece that is in the cashmere class.
Kunekune Pigs
Kunekune pigs are a rare heritage breed domesticated in New Zealand.
Our friendly pigs are relatively small with a fat, rounded appearance. Kunekune pigs come in a wide range of colors ranging from speckled to solid hues of brown, black,
white tan and gold.
A main characteristic of a Kunekune pigs is a short, upturned nose which is perfectly angled for grazing but not for rooting. As part of our holistic approach to regenerative agriculture, we engage our Kunekune pigs to manage pasture grass and weeds on our farm.
We enjoy spending time with our delightful Kunekune’s while giving them daily treats and belly scratches. Our Kunekune pigs are very docile and sweet. Kunekune pigs have a name so nice, you have to say it twice.
