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Farm Name: Hilltop Acres
Year Farm Established: 2005
Location: Lodi, NY
Years I’ve been farming: 7 years old
Animals I raise: Currently we have chickens (Black Copper Marans, Ameraucanas, Easter Eggers,and Olive Eggers), sheep (Katahdins), two dogs (Rottweiler and an old Yellow Lab), and a cat. We are looking to get a pig or two and some beef animals this spring.
As a child I grew up on a dairy farm. So I guess the love of the farm was instilled in me!
Crops I grow: We have a huge vegetable garden every summer, freezing or canning tons for our winter enjoyment! My husband works for a crop farmer, so we are able to get great hay from a great source!
Hobbies I enjoy: I am a teacher, so I do love to learn about many new things. I love to read and create holiday country crafts. I sell my crafts at local craft shows in the fall/winter time. I enjoy gardening. I love hatching chicks in my incubator...I always say that hatch day is better than Christmas Morning!
My family enjoys camping near Lake Ontario every year. We also live in the Fingerlakes area, so we enjoy the beautiful state parks and lakes too!
Club/Associations memberships: None currently, but as a teenager I belonged to 4-H, USA Holstein Club, NY Jr. Holstein Association, Farm Bureau, and the Jersey Association.
The proudest moment on my farm: This spring when we had our first batch of lambs born I had to deliver two lambs that were breech...on my own! I had delivered plenty of calves in my teenage and young adult years, but working with a sheep (without anyone there for guidance. ..having to actually USE the knowledge that I have) was a different kind of experience! The first lamb I pulled didn't show any signs of life, but I cleared her nose/mouth and rubbed her body off before checking for the second lamb (which I wasn't expecting because she was soooo huge!) And as I realized there was a second lamb, she started breathing and coughing. It was an amazing experience!
Pets: We currently have only two ewes on our farm: Sunny and Mooney. Our Black Copper Marans rooster's name is Brutus. The Rottie is Oscar. The Lab is Salem. Our cat is James.
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