It's Almost Over!
The 2024 Amherst Farmers Market that is....
Hello Lamb Friends!
Making it short today….. I’ve got to get out to price and pack the beautiful lamb for tomorrow’s market. I cannot believe the 2024 Farmers Market Season will be over tomorrow. Please…. Come out and say hi and bye until 2025. I will miss sharing farm and food stories with you all.
If you would like something held for you, text me at 413-325-5718 with your name and what you need. Email is okay too - just respond to this note and I will see it.
Last Saturday when I was in Amherst selling lamb, the sheep were shorn. I stopped by the barns on my way home and the shearers and helpers had already left. Here are the ewes are in all their nakedness.
Several years ago, our shearer Kevin Ford suggested we move our shearing schedule to November. Although we were hesitant, it has worked out great. The sheep still have a bit of wool on them and it grows back fast. They eat a little more the first week but then settle in. The BEST thing about this schedule is that we can see the condition of the ewes, if they are getting close to lambing or if there is a bit of time to wait. We can also see if they are too skinny or fat and adjust their food needs. We can see when their udders are swelling and have a guess as to when the babies will arrive. When the lambs come - usually in late December to March - the babies can easily find their mama’s teats and nurse easily.
So, that’s your sheep lesson of the day. Sheep farming is an incredible amount of hard work, hours spent, tractors and machinery needed including upkeep of everything that breaks, hay harvested, land cared for…… If it wasn’t for Farmer Mark, we all wouldn’t be enjoying the delicious lamb and the beauty of the natural landscape he tends.
So as we move towards Thanksgiving Week, we want to thank you all for keeping our farm going with your lamb purchases. It means the world to us to have such a great bunch of customers who appreciate and support our farm and family.
With love and thanks,
Mark, Kristin, Julia, Annie the Border Collie Herding Dog, and the 3 Great Pyrenees Sheep Guardians Beau, Elsa, and Max
P.S. Here’s a new quick video of Annie. Her skills are improving…..
P.P.S. There will be new pottery and tea towels too! Great for holiday gifts…..
