tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60862489415039008012024-03-13T00:59:51.575-04:00Stark Hollow FarmRegistered Icelandic Sheep in VermontLaura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-82159844112688321792022-03-01T12:55:00.001-05:002022-03-01T12:58:17.407-05:00Seven Day’s Op/Ed - Protecting Livestock is Farmer Responsibility <p><br /></p><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikic-2Z7pV5xiCU9mBwJTaotUe9VKwQHaZH63MuyqsX-c4i702Yijre7xkNZXJFGs1hhzDdr88dBcKpdK4vOUGnNbEeKfDVheqLUiCHOkboH5RtY5cdON3-pBSOSMT3IoxjSnWStrwt8HfcAzOgYtmqLNJ6tQPEfQgAxJP927zfBEXJ8OY48qxlVkW=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikic-2Z7pV5xiCU9mBwJTaotUe9VKwQHaZH63MuyqsX-c4i702Yijre7xkNZXJFGs1hhzDdr88dBcKpdK4vOUGnNbEeKfDVheqLUiCHOkboH5RtY5cdON3-pBSOSMT3IoxjSnWStrwt8HfcAzOgYtmqLNJ6tQPEfQgAxJP927zfBEXJ8OY48qxlVkW=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sheep safe behind electric netting</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Please see Laura’s recent article about wildlife coexistence and livestock care. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://vtdigger.org/2022/01/14/laura-smith-riva-conscientious-farmers-have-no-need-to-kill-wildlife/">https://vtdigger.org/2022/01/14/laura-smith-riva-conscientious-farmers-have-no-need-to-kill-wildlife/</a></p><br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-46841951367140154182015-05-27T22:53:00.002-04:002015-05-27T22:58:02.318-04:00Heritage Breed Pullets for SaleWe have a variety of heritage breed pullets, all about 14-16 weeks of age for sale. Most will begin to lay eggs within the next 4-6 weeks. $20 each. Limited delivery along Route 2 to Montpelier.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Hampshire Red (watched)</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0Danville, VT, USA44.4114954 -72.14008999999998744.230095399999996 -72.462813499999982 44.5928954 -71.817366499999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-7689853871186998122015-03-05T20:01:00.000-05:002015-03-05T20:01:12.103-05:00English Shepherd: a working Vermont farm dog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machia - English Shepherd</td></tr>
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Our 5 month old puppy Machias. He is an English Shepherd being
trained as a working farm dog. He is very attentive, loveable and he is extremely bright. He already has
three jobs down:<br />
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1. He confronts the ram if the ram chases the pregnant ewes and gets him to stop it.<br />
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2. He keeps the pigs from pushing at the fence at feeding time...generally keeps them from testing the fence too exuberantly.<br />
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3. He keeps the larger sow from eating our two younger gilt's food and
generally ensures that the pigs each pursue their own food.<br />
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It's
amazing to watch him work at even such a young age. He understands many
basic obedience commands, not the least of which is "come", "off", "get
down", "sit" (well sort of). Additionally, he is learning "settle",
"stand", "all's well", "jump", "come in" as it relates to the farm work.<br />
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Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-77181302932191259872015-01-22T17:58:00.001-05:002015-01-29T21:36:54.006-05:00Processing Sheepskin Pelts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icelandic Sheepskin Pelt</td></tr>
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Processing the sheep's hides when they come off the animal is a multi-step process. It's a messy job, one that requires fortitude, commitment and perseverance. <br />
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Late fall is the time of slaughter. Many folks don't bother with the hides because it is a lot of work. But, once process, Icelandic sheepskin pelts are incredibly gorgeous and luxurious and they make a fine value added product for the farm.<br />
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This year we had 35 animals processed between our wholesale and retail business. Most slaughterhouses will give you the skins if you ask for them, but it often does require an additional trip to the processor to pick them up. Ask your facility, perhaps they can freeze them and hold them for you. Some slaughterhouses will actually salt them for you, but you'll still need to let them dry a bit before shipping them off.<br />
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We typically make the extra trip down to pick up horns (a post for another day!) and hides. Once we get them home, we scrape them and trim the fat. We cut and trim the neck and crotch where they need evening out. Then each pelt is salted by hand with copious amounts of fine salt which can be obtained in 50lb bags from your local feed store.<br />
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Then the pelts are hung to drip dry. The fleeces are filled with blood from the slaughter. The salt preserves the skin of the hide, preventing rot. It also prevents the terrible odor associated with decaying biological material. Salting the pelts is necessary in order to get them to a tannery for tanning.<br />
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Once the hides have hung for a few weeks, they should be sufficiently dry to mail out, which is no small task. We typically role them skin in and pack them in plastic bags before packing them in boxes 3-5 pelts per box, which weigh about 15-20 lbs. It's about $20 to ship three Icelandic pelts USPS.<br />
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There are a few processing facilities that will handle Icelandic sheep skins because of their dual coat and exceptionally long staple length. We use <a href="http://www.buckscountyfurproducts.com/1901.html" target="_blank">Bucks County Fur Products</a> in Pennsylvania. The cost ranges from $50-70 per pelt for processing, plus you'll have a several hundred dollars in shipping if you are working with 35 pelts like we did this year. The turn around time seems to be pretty consistently around 16 weeks. So if you want pelt for the holidays, you've got to get them into the pipeline and plan on carrying over some for the next holiday season.<br />
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At the end of it all, you'll have a beautiful product that your customer will love and enjoy for years to come. We regularly have customers come back to us at the farmer's market and tell us how much they love their pelt.<br />
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Click here to see our Icelandic sheepskin pelts for sale: <a href="http://www.starkhollowfarm.com/farm-products/sheepskin-pelts-horns.html" target="_blank">Icelandic Sheepskins</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9E5dKsrA_VM/VMF8rI2zzfI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/PpNh7YpRgRs/s1600/Alina%2BPelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9E5dKsrA_VM/VMF8rI2zzfI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/PpNh7YpRgRs/s1600/Alina%2BPelt.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alina loves her pelt</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-90708689357891737142014-09-12T09:17:00.000-04:002014-09-12T10:20:55.698-04:00Stark Hollow Farm Moves to Danville, VT<br />
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STARK HOLLOW FARM RELOCATES TO BEAUTIFUL DANVILLE, VERMONT! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danville Green</td></tr>
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After a rigorous search for land that would meet the growing needs of our farm, we finally located a gorgeous piece of property with a beautiful 1820's farm house and 78 acres of open fields and woodland in Danville, VT. Known as "the village in the hills" Danville is located in the southern tip of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom and is a gateway community to New Hampshire's white mountains and the rolling green mountains of Vermont. Joe's Pond (called Sozap Nebees by the Abenaki), located in West Danville draws many tourists and Route 2 offers a corridor into Vermont that many folks travel to visit our beautiful state. There are many resources for agriculture in the area and the farm is strategically located near the I-91 corridor giving us easy access to markets south, such as Boston.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covered Bridge, W. Danville</td></tr>
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We will continue to be participate in the Burlington Winter Farmer's Market and will soon be offering a meat lovers CSA. We have many current customers from Chittenden and Addison counties who are asking for bulk purchases to stock up on our delicious forest raised pork and 100% grass fed Icelandic lamb. We will continue to provide bulk orders for our customers on the eastern side of the state who have come to know and love our products. Stay tuned for more info on our new CSA program.<br />
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The property has a history as a dairy barn in the 1940's. The original dairy barn, which was attached to the house is gone with only the milk house remaining. We plan to convert the milk house into a small farm stand and we have signed a contract with a timber frame builder and will be building a barn on the property this fall to house the sheep and farrow our sows in the winter months. There is a small, well maintained apple orchard on the property with a mixed variety of heirloom apples which the piggies are just starting to enjoy.<br />
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We're excited about the possibilities and future of the farm as we continue to grow and diversify. We appreciate all of the support and well wishes we have received and look forward to continuing to share the journey with you all.<br />
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If you are a customer of ours and want to purchase some meats for the upcoming winter season, please contact us directly with your order <a href="mailto:farmer@starkhollowfarm.com" target="_blank">Contact Stark Hollow Farm</a>. We will be traveling to Chittenden Country over the next few weeks as we continue the move and can make arrangements with you to deliver or meet you somewhere. We'll also be able to bring orders in to the Burlington Winter Market which starts up in November. Check out our website to see what is available: <a href="http://www.starkhollowfarm.com/meat-products.html" target="_blank">Stark Hollow Farm Meats</a>.<br />
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Here are some photos of the homestead and land:<br />
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www.starkhollowfarm.com<br />
<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-41195165254676663262014-09-06T08:54:00.003-04:002014-09-06T08:56:03.579-04:00Tamworth Feeder Piglets, VermontTwo of these meaty and healthy Tamworth feeder piglets just went off to their new home in Charlotte, Vermont. They're shown here at 4 weeks (sent off at 8 weeks). Stark Hollow Farm is currently taking orders for spring piglets.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_10rV8Gaqk/VAsDiYOY5iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/rLMB-bkEVA0/s1600/2014Piglets_Trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_10rV8Gaqk/VAsDiYOY5iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/rLMB-bkEVA0/s1600/2014Piglets_Trump.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamworth Feeder Piglets at 4 weeks</td></tr>
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Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-34761270530272680842014-06-01T14:54:00.003-04:002014-06-01T14:55:48.702-04:00Tamworth Piglets Off to New HomesTwo sets of 8 week old Stark Hollow Farm Tamworth feeder piglets are off to their new
homes. One, a happy return customer from the Intervale in Burlington, Vermont and
the other, a new customer from Richmond, Vermont. <br />
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-9991219118327673412014-06-01T12:54:00.003-04:002014-06-01T12:56:56.632-04:00Shearing Day!Another shearing day complete here at Stark Hollow Farm in Vermont! Together with our shearer, the job was complete in about 3 hours.
Many of our Icelandics were starting to "roo", which is a term that
describes the way that the fleece is naturally shed by the animals. We
love shearing day because it is a chance to see how the ewes, especially
the lactating ewes are doing coming off winter.<br />
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Our
animals are 100% grass fed with no commercial or customer grain mixtures
used. This means their condition at the time of lactation is their
lowest of the year, and yet as you can see from these photos, the girls
look great!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe, udder with twins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHlK-cslBps/U4tZgKTHAaI/AAAAAAAACwY/BW45ffvU5xI/s1600/DSCF1517+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sHlK-cslBps/U4tZgKTHAaI/AAAAAAAACwY/BW45ffvU5xI/s1600/DSCF1517+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe, 2 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcrEqps6vEg/U4tZhUQZXRI/AAAAAAAACwo/01pH2DsHy9w/s1600/DSCF1518+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcrEqps6vEg/U4tZhUQZXRI/AAAAAAAACwo/01pH2DsHy9w/s1600/DSCF1518+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe with her twins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piXsvdpKRt4/U4tZicy2DDI/AAAAAAAACww/Wh8pQJbpP0c/s1600/DSCF1519+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piXsvdpKRt4/U4tZicy2DDI/AAAAAAAACww/Wh8pQJbpP0c/s1600/DSCF1519+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolomite, 2 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nANcRf7Rl60/U4tZjdigN5I/AAAAAAAACw4/qkVj0udYEUg/s1600/DSCF1520+(800x599).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nANcRf7Rl60/U4tZjdigN5I/AAAAAAAACw4/qkVj0udYEUg/s1600/DSCF1520+(800x599).jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelion, 2 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMCFxX-HoHE/U4tZkt1EhNI/AAAAAAAACxA/58puV3IQ3ro/s1600/DSCF1521+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMCFxX-HoHE/U4tZkt1EhNI/AAAAAAAACxA/58puV3IQ3ro/s1600/DSCF1521+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cider, 5 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZAvH--zliA/U4tZlbNvRlI/AAAAAAAACxE/SF5wIGRtEQ0/s1600/DSCF1522+(800x554).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZAvH--zliA/U4tZlbNvRlI/AAAAAAAACxE/SF5wIGRtEQ0/s1600/DSCF1522+(800x554).jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderberry, one winter ewe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camox with twins, 3 years</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNJX470SKSg/U4tZn9Ef2jI/AAAAAAAACxY/LDDJ98H462w/s1600/DSCF1524+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNJX470SKSg/U4tZn9Ef2jI/AAAAAAAACxY/LDDJ98H462w/s1600/DSCF1524+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eiya, one winter ewe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MF1k-Q_max8/U4tZo6Gk34I/AAAAAAAACxg/dgIZ0bBG82A/s1600/DSCF1526+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MF1k-Q_max8/U4tZo6Gk34I/AAAAAAAACxg/dgIZ0bBG82A/s1600/DSCF1526+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eiya, one winter ewe with lamb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpB_v0pBoQg/U4tZfHms1EI/AAAAAAAACwQ/rndqYOE60xY/s1600/DSCF1515+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-40986373745978073402014-05-17T10:18:00.000-04:002014-05-17T10:21:57.840-04:00Icelandic Sheepskin Pelts - New Arrivals!Check out Stark Hollow Farm's new arrivals of gorgeous, luxurious Icelandic Sheepskin Pelts from our fall 2013 group of Icelandic sheep raised on grass here in Huntington Vermont. When you see one you like, double click on the image and you will see the description and price in the upper right hand corner of the slide show. Contact us at <a href="mailto:farmer@starkhollowfarm.com" target="_blank">farmer at starkhollowfarm dot com</a> to order.
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=143270" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2F29730008%40N03%2Fsets%2F72157644230889300%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2F29730008%40N03%2Fsets%2F72157644230889300%2F&set_id=72157644230889300&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0Huntington, VT, USA44.3253512 -72.9873458999999844.1435037 -73.310069399999975 44.507198700000004 -72.664622399999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-12961584975550547592014-04-26T22:16:00.003-04:002015-01-22T17:53:19.595-05:00Icelandic Sheep Skin Pelt - Renaissance Fair CostumeOne of our Icelandic Sheepskin Pelts was made into a gorgeous cape by Brandace of North Carolina for a Renaissance Fair Costume. If you look closely, you will also see a ram's horn which also came from our farm.<br />
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This is one of many uses for these beautiful pelts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH6LjOdz34A/U1xmdl7jZuI/AAAAAAAACvQ/spm4hTP5xMk/s1600/WP_20140426_12_09_23_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH6LjOdz34A/U1xmdl7jZuI/AAAAAAAACvQ/spm4hTP5xMk/s1600/WP_20140426_12_09_23_Pro.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ren Fair Costume - Sheep Skin Pelt and Ram's Horn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Click here to see our pelts for sale: <a href="http://www.starkhollowfarm.com/farm-products/sheepskin-pelts-horns.html" target="_blank">Icelandic Sheepskin Pelts</a>Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-29112496147545625782014-04-21T21:13:00.000-04:002014-04-21T21:13:07.779-04:002014 Icelandic Lambs for Sale in Vermont at Stark Hollow FarmCheck out a preview of Stark Hollow Farm 2014 Icelandic lambs for sale in Vermont...enlarge the slideshow and click "show info" to see more details.<br />
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Lambs will be priced for sale in the up-coming weeks. We'll have ewe lambs, ram lambs and adult ewes with lambs. Lambs this year are from 3 incredible unrelated rams, so there are lots of choices.<br />
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If you are interested in purchasing breedstock from us this year, please contact us at farmer@starkhollowfarm.com.<br />
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Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0Huntington, VT, USA44.3253512 -72.9873458999999844.1435037 -73.310069399999975 44.507198700000004 -72.664622399999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-16513949206848785632014-03-30T21:13:00.000-04:002014-03-31T08:56:40.699-04:00Newest Arrivals: Tamworth PigletsLast night, our Tamworth sow, Orange, farrowed 5 gorgeous little piglets. In the midst of shifting southerly and westerly winds, we got a couple inches of rain on top of a snow pack up here on Camel's Hump Mountain of about 3 feet of snow. We had heard many farmers were having difficulty with farrowing this year due to the extreme weather.<br />
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With colder than normal temperatures, precipitation and dead of night upon us, I was grateful for the wonderful little piglet creep with heat lamp that Vanessa built in the last couple of days into Orange's farrowing house. The creep is an important part of the farrowing house. It provides a safe place for the piglets to take a break from mama and eventually they will get their own feed in there. Right now, it's a place they can go to get warm after leaving the 90+ degree womb!<br />
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Labor lasted about 5 hours and at the end of it, we have four boys and one girl. They took to mama's milk right away. Tamworths are a talkative breed and this is very noticeable in the farrowing house. There is often a lively conversation between mama and piglets which consists of her grunting and snorting and them responding with snorts and squeals. If they fight, mama raises her voice almost as if to say, "come on now, little ones!".<br />
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Here are some photos:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52hG4cfwDks/Uzi-WgUzHVI/AAAAAAAACpE/G82kJhWzoew/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52hG4cfwDks/Uzi-WgUzHVI/AAAAAAAACpE/G82kJhWzoew/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piglets under lamp in creep</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLviMz0Tjhc/Uzi-XzJl8CI/AAAAAAAACpU/rGBIBAHgcDc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLviMz0Tjhc/Uzi-XzJl8CI/AAAAAAAACpU/rGBIBAHgcDc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piglet Creep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBu_ncX1kLU/Uzi-NnMG-_I/AAAAAAAACo8/85gZnnpUmss/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBu_ncX1kLU/Uzi-NnMG-_I/AAAAAAAACo8/85gZnnpUmss/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 of Orange's 5 Piglets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0nB2IZQzTk/Uzi-XXwH-DI/AAAAAAAACpQ/WPfW9x-oCpw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0nB2IZQzTk/Uzi-XXwH-DI/AAAAAAAACpQ/WPfW9x-oCpw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Tamworth Piglets Cozy Up</td></tr>
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Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-88408230463439744792014-03-09T17:09:00.001-04:002014-03-09T17:09:29.098-04:00New Hay Feeders for Pregnant GirlsNew Feeders completed! Hand-made out of locally sourced wood. Designed specifically for our horned sheep to keep wasted hay to a minimum and allow enough room at the feeders for all the pregnant girls...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLffcSzgUtw/UxzXUfhIolI/AAAAAAAACns/U3ugHhgVbJI/s1600/DSCF1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLffcSzgUtw/UxzXUfhIolI/AAAAAAAACns/U3ugHhgVbJI/s320/DSCF1292.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Feeder in the Winter Paddock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lls5UXNTNBU/UxzXba1qwbI/AAAAAAAACn8/adblJ6k4FXQ/s1600/DSCF1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lls5UXNTNBU/UxzXba1qwbI/AAAAAAAACn8/adblJ6k4FXQ/s320/DSCF1303.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping the Mineral Feeder Upright!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTlw2z74TqM/UxzXVzC6H1I/AAAAAAAACn0/ivc5692QsEY/s1600/DSCF1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTlw2z74TqM/UxzXVzC6H1I/AAAAAAAACn0/ivc5692QsEY/s320/DSCF1309.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanessa & Brem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ne8yQEbj59M/UxzXryJ0jbI/AAAAAAAACoI/vNuEjBQC6pk/s1600/DSCF1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ne8yQEbj59M/UxzXryJ0jbI/AAAAAAAACoI/vNuEjBQC6pk/s320/DSCF1312.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura & Beven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58OrUXolTyY/UxzXrScEnfI/AAAAAAAACoE/UvvjFfu6Cxs/s1600/DSCF1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58OrUXolTyY/UxzXrScEnfI/AAAAAAAACoE/UvvjFfu6Cxs/s320/DSCF1320.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girls at their new Feeders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-64941666664692744652014-02-17T10:55:00.001-05:002014-02-17T11:21:09.936-05:00Registered Tamworth PigsThis is Trinity, our Tamworth breeding gilt from last years litter of piglets. She is the classic gorgeous orange/red coloring of a Tamworth and comes from excellent breed stock. She is the result of AI breeding and her sire is a champion Tamworth boar named Rusty. She will have her first litter of piglets this summer here at Stark Hollow Farm in Vermont and we will have some of these piglets for sale. Please inquire if interested in pure bred Tamworth breed stock.<br />
<br />
The Tamworth is a heritage breed pig, listed with the <a href="http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/tamworth" target="_blank">American Livestock Conservancy</a> as a <i>Threatened</i> breed. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kpiIh7cZyc/UwIwUAp1vLI/AAAAAAAACiw/f-y9D_RsR5k/s1600/DSCF1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kpiIh7cZyc/UwIwUAp1vLI/AAAAAAAACiw/f-y9D_RsR5k/s1600/DSCF1263.JPG" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity - Stark Hollow Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bjVgV98tRY/UwI0--VujlI/AAAAAAAACjo/-28TdSv1HhE/s1600/Brixia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bjVgV98tRY/UwI0--VujlI/AAAAAAAACjo/-28TdSv1HhE/s1600/Brixia.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dam - Brixia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGJcPusIUM/UwI0buioSzI/AAAAAAAACjY/Nqasuf77pP8/s1600/Rusty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdGJcPusIUM/UwI0buioSzI/AAAAAAAACjY/Nqasuf77pP8/s1600/Rusty1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sire - Rusty</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-10260696198355235582013-10-13T20:03:00.000-04:002013-10-13T20:04:42.484-04:00Fall Shearing of the Icelandic Sheep<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Icelandic
fleeces come in
a wide variety of colors and are
prized by hand spinners. The 17 colors and patterns these beautiful
animals come in include
black, silvery black, blue to
lavender greys, silvery grey, whites, tans, beige, champagne, moorit
(the brown variations),
including deep dark mahogany reds,
rusty browns, strawberry blondes. The actual color genetics are a bit
more complicated,
but but these words give you an idea
of what to expect from the Icelandic sheep breed. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There are many <span style="color: black;">wonder qualities of the Ic<span style="color: black;">elandic breed, but<span style="color: black;"> t</span></span></span>he colors and patterns are one <span style="color: black;">of our favorite aspects<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> of th<span style="color: black;">ese natural colored sheep<span style="color: black;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Icelandic fleece is dual coated, with a fine, soft undercoat called thel and a longer,
coarser outer coat called tog.</span></span> Staple leng<span style="color: black;">ths on these fleeces regularly exceed 10".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">We love sh<span style="color: black;">earing time, both in the spring and fall, when we get to see how th<span style="color: black;">e animals are doing. In the spring, we see how they have fared through<span style="color: black;"> the winter and <span style="color: black;">during </span>gestation, lambing and lactation and in the fall we evaluate how they have done through the summer on <span style="color: black;">pasture. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">This year, with <span style="color: black;">the introduction of a mor<span style="color: black;">e <span style="color: black;">s<span style="color: black;">ophisticated min<span style="color: black;">eral <span style="color: black;">supplementation program, <span style="color: black;">the flock is looking really great.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-12523909871415619002013-08-16T21:23:00.001-04:002013-08-16T21:28:27.819-04:00How to Wean Piglets on PastureWeaning piglets is no small task, especially when you have them in field and forest the way we do! It's definitely a two person job when you are in the field with no barn in sight. We wean our piglets at 8 weeks of age...they get the benefit of lots of mother's milk and their condition and size at 8 weeks really shows.<br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">First, you want 'em nice and hungry, so manage the feed so that they will be hungry at move time and follow you anywhere you go! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Pick a location to move your sows to, about 300 feet from where your piglets will be and lay in your paddock.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Corral them all into a smaller area behind some hog panels.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Peel out the mama's using a small, walking cage with all sides covered except for the front.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Put some food down for the piglets to distract them... they will already be crying to go with their mamas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Walk those sows as fast as you can to their new spot and feed them right quick. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Keep the piglets in their familiar spot where they can still have the scent of mama and the comfort of bedding they know.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">String the electric fence on the inside of the hog paneled corral so they don't forget about getting zapped and will still respect the fence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">They'll need to be here about a week.</span></li>
</ol>
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After about a week, you should be able to move them back into a large paddock, still keeping some distance between them and the mamas. You will notice that the little critters will become suddenly even more ravenous as they are withdrawing from mother's milk. They may whine a bit; our Tamworth pigs are known to be rowdier and more talkative than some pigs! But they'll have each other and you'll see them happily pig piling and rooting around in no time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uSZKDHpZMw/Ug4uVJIzHYI/AAAAAAAACa4/E9ag0VodJQI/s1600/DSCF1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uSZKDHpZMw/Ug4uVJIzHYI/AAAAAAAACa4/E9ag0VodJQI/s400/DSCF1116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry Piglets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4HDqDYwtY/Ug4uUm043qI/AAAAAAAACa0/e65G5eOLinQ/s1600/DSCF1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dh4HDqDYwtY/Ug4uUm043qI/AAAAAAAACa0/e65G5eOLinQ/s400/DSCF1117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note hog panels, electric fence and visual barrier </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNENhz5UqQ/Ug4v-63nmqI/AAAAAAAACbM/l6jF0sXq1nw/s1600/cindypig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSNENhz5UqQ/Ug4v-63nmqI/AAAAAAAACbM/l6jF0sXq1nw/s1600/cindypig.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving cage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is what our moving cage looks like, only here it doesn't have the visual barrier. It's fashioned in a horse-shoe shape with a straight sided opening. This can
easily be placed down over the pigs. If there is separating of pigs
required, we first corral them into a smaller paddock, then using a piece
of ply wood, we push and direct the hogs we want to move into the cage. Two people can just lift it slightly and walk along to move the pigs...<br />
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If you follow these steps, you can successfully keep all the participants happy with out pigs escaping and running wild! The key is to have them out of sight, sound and smell. Remember, in farming there is no timeline...just one step after the other, and lots of patience.Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-64830886022572536092013-08-02T22:48:00.000-04:002013-08-02T22:48:22.807-04:00Tamworth Feeder Pigs Off to New Home at IntervaleThese two vigorous piglets are heading off to a farm at Burlington's Intervale to be raised by a young farmer. We named this year's pigs after the characters from The Matrix. These two critters are Maggie & Morpheus!<br />
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The Tamworth pig is particularly well suited for Vermont as they are hardy and adaptable. They are one of the oldest breeds and are prized as "the bacon pig" for their ability to put on large mass without a lot of fat.<br />
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These little piggies are 7 weeks old.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie & Morpheus</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-74868200082060037512013-08-01T19:58:00.002-04:002013-08-01T20:13:59.542-04:00Documentary on Icelandic Leader Sheep<br />
Watch these interesting videos on the history of Icelandic and Icelandic leader sheep, a genetic trait unique to the Icelandics...<br />
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Part 1<br />
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Part 2<br />
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<i><span style="font: 14px Georgia, serif;">directed by Guðný Halldórsdóttir, edited by Stefanía Thors</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font: 14px Georgia, serif;"> </span></i> Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-47417765328844026272013-07-27T15:08:00.001-04:002013-07-27T15:09:03.106-04:00Gorgeous Ewe Lambs Head Off to New HomeTwo more beautiful ewe lambs head off to a new home. This moorit badger face ewe lamb is from one of our best lines. The spotted black grey comes from our new ram and out of an excellent ewe who birthed both her lambs unassisted as a first time mom. Both animals are in excellent condition and make a fine addition to the farm they are headed off to.<br />
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-11377320289329168662013-07-12T19:46:00.001-04:002013-07-12T19:46:59.707-04:00Icelandic Ewes Sold to NH FarmThese beautiful ladies are off to their new home at a wonderful farm in New Hampshire. This farmer made some excellent choices. These are two proven ewes with their ewe lambs. The mouflon ewe lamb and the black-grey ewe lamb will both carry the moorit gene. The mouflon from her sire Ursus, and the black-grey from her Dam. Lots of color and pattern possibilities no matter who these girls are paired with. All have some great AI genetics and friendly dispositions too!<br />
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We still have many beautiful ewe and ram lambs for sale. Contact us for more information. 802-434-3953.<br />
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-79718466082531266612013-07-09T22:06:00.000-04:002013-07-09T22:09:46.041-04:00Tamworth Sows and Piglets Move to PastureWe moved the sows and their little piglets from their farrowing pen to pasture. It's not easy moving pigs. They're big, they're slow, their piglets are milling about like mice and, with all the rain we've been having, they want to stop every time we hit a wet spot and wallow!<br />
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Brixia went first with her three piglets plus the two from Orange that adopted her (we figure it's cause there was no line at the teats!) We finally got her moved the 1/4 mile walk with lots of coaxing, pushing and maneuvering.<br />
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That included moving her across a deep fast moving stream...several piglets fell in but we scooped them right back out.<br />
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Next it was Orange's turn. She turned out to be a lot easier as she is generally an active, curious and high energy pig.<br />
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We use a small cage built from a welded wire hog panel, with a covering on three sides so that they can only see though the wire in a forward direction. This allows them to see forward as they walk without getting distracted by what's behind them. The piglets were mainly pushed and rolled along.<br />
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Here are the happy pigs finally on pasture where they will rotate around in large meadow and woodland lots through the growing season. Here they are in a paddock designed to train the little ones to the electric fence.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamworth pigs on pasture!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-52372322396799557382013-06-08T12:12:00.004-04:002013-07-09T22:06:48.357-04:00Tamworth Gilt Farrows Her First LitterOur beautiful Tamworth gilt Orange farrowed her first litter of piglets last night. Not only was it her first litter, but ours too! Seven little piglets, one after the other came out and immediately began searching for mama's milk. Many of these little beauties are already reserved, but we still will have more available when our second gilt farrows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange nursing her piglets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brixia - imminent farrow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two very pregnant pigs (2 days from delivery)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piglet warming box</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-17762284698032466872013-05-14T10:52:00.002-04:002013-05-14T11:50:15.483-04:00Homestead 802 - Recent Article about Stark Hollow FarmCheck out the article about our farm in the Spring 2013 <i>Edible</i> Green Mountains magazine about our holistic farming approach and our healthy and delicious product offerings. Copies available locally here in Vermont.<br />
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<a href="http://ediblegreenmountains.com/editorial/spring-2013/homestead-802-stark-hollow-farm/" target="_blank">Homestead 802 Stark Hollow Farm</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring 2013 Issue</td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-85202785977212333942013-05-11T09:35:00.001-04:002015-01-27T16:15:29.821-05:00Tamworth Piglets For SaleOur Tamworth breeding sows are a few weeks away from farrowing. We will have pure bred registered breed stock as wells as feeder piglets and roasters for sale. If you are interested in piglets, let us know so we can add you to our list. We always had a hard time finding Tamworth piglets, having to reserve months in advance...which is why we decided to try breeding them ourselves! Piglets this year should be ready to go by late June/early July. Visit our farm website to see details on currently available gilts and feeder piglets: <a href="http://www.starkhollowfarm.com/">www.starkhollowfarm.com</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanessa with Tamworth Sows</td></tr>
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The Tamworth is a heritage breed, considered quite distant genetically from commercial swine. With their extra long snouts, they are very frugal when raised on pasture and in forests, and produce exceptionally delicious meat. The Tamworth is known as "the bacon pig" for its ability to achieve high body mass without too much fat. They do very well here in Vermont. We have used our pigs to amend difficult patches of weeds from the pastures, such as ferns and dogbane.Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0Huntington, VT, USA44.3253512 -72.9873458999999844.1435042 -73.310069399999975 44.5071982 -72.664622399999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086248941503900801.post-28270342217778397572013-05-09T19:12:00.000-04:002013-05-09T23:19:45.463-04:00Compost: Vermont Black Gold!Vermont Black Gold!! Stark Hollow Farm compost consists of sheep poop and other organic matter from our winter paddocks. It is composted for two years and therefore is a beautiful, nutrient rich compost without a manure like smell. Easy to transport, spread, and work with. $3.00 for approximately 2 cubic feet bagged. Contact the farm if interested 434-3953, farmer@starkhollowfarm.com.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLa0p1Oeyik/UYwqJHCHxSI/AAAAAAAACSU/ZmY5USZrDd8/s1600/Compost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLa0p1Oeyik/UYwqJHCHxSI/AAAAAAAACSU/ZmY5USZrDd8/s320/Compost.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vermont Black Gold</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approximately 2 cubic feet bagged</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulk Purchase</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Laura Smith-Rivahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563181578141381991noreply@blogger.com0