Raw Icelandic Fleeces

Stark Hollow Farm's raw Icelandic fleeces are gorgeous and prized by handspinners. These fleeces are skirted and ready for processing locally at the Vermont Fiber Factory in Bristol, VT.

Grey Fleece


Cream/Tan Fleece


White Fleece

Vanessa Conquers the Ancient Disc Harrow

This vintage disc harrow had two sections to it and was completely sunken into the earth at HOWL. Vanessa dug it out, separated it into the two sections and then repaired one to get my garden plowed up.


The disc harrow in parts.


Vanessa scavenges for metal along the rock walls.


Mounted on the tractor.


Ready to go!


The finished product...the garden is ready to plant!

Tamworth Pigs Arrive at Stark Hollow Farm



Vanessa picked up six lovely Tamworth pigs to raise as feeder pigs this year. These are heritage breed pigs that will be rotated this year in wild woodland lots at HOWL.

Fiddlehead Fern Hunt Successful!

After a 40 minute walk through the woods along the edges of the pastures and along the streams and spring run off, I found a small cluster of fiddlehead ferns. I saw many types of ferns, but the ostrich fern is harder to come by. I asked the spirits of the land for guidance and this small gift was offered. I harvested only a few leaving many to grow. These will be cooked for dinner tonight with virgin olive oil, butter, garlic, and bacon from our pigs.



My next hunt will be for wild onions!

Mouflon Lambs

Our new ram, Ember, threw 75% mouflon color pattern. We also found out that he carries the spotting gene. Here is Poppy's spotted black mouflon ewe lamb...she is definitely a keeper. Her name is Chamonix.




You can see the mouflon pattern on her ears, her chest, over her eyes and under her chin. On the second photo there is also a small spot above the horn of her hoof.

Here is a full mouflon:

You can see the pattern more clearly on this black mouflon ewe lamb.

The Icelandic sheep breed has complex genetics that determine the color and patterns shown in the individual sheep. One of the neat things about this breed, is you often don't know for sure what you might get. It make raising Icelandic sheep fun.