Stark Hollow Farm Consults with Sue Morse

Vanessa Riva, Sue Morse and Laura Smith

Sue Morse, founder of Keeping Tracks and a recognized expert in natural history and wildlife tracking, came to HOWL recently and consulted with Stark Hollow Farm owner, Vanessa Riva, about her farm management and stewardship of HOWL lands.

Sue applauded Stark Hollow Farm's rotational grazing methods, absence of permanent fencing that would obstruct wildlife passage, abatement of non-native invasive plants, encouragement of plant diversity which supports diversity of wildlife, and the maintenance of "rough" meadow areas along field borders.

Stark Hollow Farm continues to amend fields, maintain core wildlife habitat and corridors, and provide rigorous stewardship of the HOWL lands. This work has been recognized and is highly valued by HOWL, A Vermont Women's Land Trust with whom the farm has a wonderful and mutually beneficial partnership with.


Vanessa Riva & Sue Morse


Vanessa Riva & Sue Morse at the top of the South Meadow



Icelandic Sheep on South Meadow


Forest/Pasture Raised Tamworth Pigs

Buttercup Kindled!

Buttercup, one of our foundation breeding doe rabbits, has kindled another litter. Photos to come soon as the little critters are all cozied up in a large nest of hay and mama's fur.

Stark Hollow Farm Rabbit Pelts - Lost Arts

Stark Hollow Farm luxurious rabbit pelts will be used to teach children and adults during Lost Arts Week at Common Ground Center in Starksboro, Vermont.



The preparation and tanning of pelts is an ancient practice with practical roots. Rabbit pelts now are mostly used in decorative or craft applications, but at one time this important skill contributed to our survival.

The Common Ground Center promotes the preservation of these rapidly disappearing skills through its Lost Arts programming which offers an amazing hands-on opportunity for kids and adults to experience many traditional and primitive skills.

We love doing business local! You can check them out on the web at: Common Ground Center.

Icelandic Fleeces to be used for Lost Arts Week

Thanks go out to Sandra and the Common Ground Center in Starksboro, Vermont for their purchase of raw Icelandic Fleeces from Stark Hollow Farm to support their Lost Arts programming this summer. The dual-coated Icelandic fleece is a great choice for hand spinning. By using Icelandic fleeces, this non-profit organization helps to support the continuance of the genetics of this magnificent primitive breed. Common Ground programming for both kids and adults teaches a variety of lost arts. We thank Common Ground Center for supporting the continuance of these intriguing and useful skills.


Raw Icelandic Fleece

Common Ground Center is located in Starksboro, Vermont. From their website:

Mission: Common Ground Center is a cooperatively run non-profit arts, education, and outdoor recreation and retreat center. We are dedicated to bringing together and strengthening diverse families and communities through unique program offerings and facility rentals. Our beautiful site demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Vermont Forage Based Rabbit Meat

Farm fresh, forage based rabbit meat available now from Stark Hollow Farm. We raise meat rabbits on pasture where they have access to lots of tasty pasture grasses & weeds. They also receive a variety of garden gleanings and cash & carry vegetables and supplemental grains. We are a small homestead style farm and only raise a few dozen rabbits each season, so you can be assured that these animals are given individual attention as members of our farm.

Rabbit is considered the healthiest of all meats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has stated that rabbit is the most nutritious meat known to man. It is the lowest in both calories and cholesterol than most meat products including beef, pork, lamb, and chicken and yet it has the highest percentage of protein. It is often a meat recommended to folks with special needs diets or those who sometimes have trouble digesting other meats. It is the most sustainable, lowest impact, highest production meat available.


Delicious!

Whole carcasses available at $8.50/lb, vacuum packed, frozen.
For more information: Stark Hollow Farm Forage Based Rabbit Meat

Icelandic Starter Flock Sold

Stark Hollow Farm sold another starter flock of gorgeous registered Icelandic sheep to a Edge Fuentes and Katie Spring, resident farmers at Applecheek Farm in northern Vermont. They will be raising the sheep for meat and wool and as part of their intensive grazing strategy of land management. They were drawn to the primitive Icelandic breed as a multi-use breed that is both thrifty and rugged. Their natural colored, dual coated fleeces are prized by handspinners and they thrive in the snowy, mountainous winter terrain of northern Vermont.

Two proven ewes and four 2012 Icelandic ewe lambs of diverse genetics will have Edge and Katie off to a great start with their new flock. Congratulation Edge & Katie!


Dove - a bright white ewe lamb


Laura with the sheep corralled and ready to go!


Edge with Dover - gorgeous black badgerfaced ewe lamb


The flock at their new home...

Icelandic Sheep Travel to New Home

Congratulations to Kate Maclean for her purchase of three of our beautiful Icelandic ewe lambs. Here is a photo of the lambs in the back of her Subaru on their way to their new home...check out Kate's blog at the longest acre.

Delphie, Dubrah & Dax