Faith, Hope, & Love Farm

Faith, Hope, & Love Farm Small family farm in the far reaches of northern NY.

Today is the day of the benefit jamboree for our friends, the Marciniak family of Blue Line Farm .I believe if you're no...
01/11/2025

Today is the day of the benefit jamboree for our friends, the Marciniak family of Blue Line Farm .

I believe if you're not local and want to buy tickets for the 50/50 you can reach out to Hallie Marciniak .

We've recently seen a big surge in the Cottontail rabbit population which is a big change from years ago when they were ...
01/11/2025

We've recently seen a big surge in the Cottontail rabbit population which is a big change from years ago when they were never around and Snowshoe Hares were the predominant ones seen.

Last weekend when I was cleaning in the barn I had a wheelbarrow full of loose hay to go out, but instead of going on the manure pile I dumped it in the pasture for the rabbits to find.

Which judging by all the tracks in the almost 20 inches of snow we got, they are appreciating it.

I like lots of things that are black and white. I have black and white sheep, cats, chickens and even black and white co...
01/11/2025

I like lots of things that are black and white.

I have black and white sheep, cats, chickens and even black and white cows in the past.

What I do not like are black and white striped things that use too much perfume.

The other night I had just finished tossing hay down out of the loft when the chickens started making more noise than they had been. So I went to see what was going on.

Just as I went to open the door I looked down and saw a skunk stick it's head out from under the door. Needless to say I turned and ran to the other end of the barn. Don't forget, I had just thrown hay down so there were several bales still in the aisle. Yes, I jumped over them. How I didn't fall flat on my face is a miracle.

By the time I got to the other end and turned around, Sparky the skunk was gone. I'm guessing underneath the horse stalls.

I've been blaming the hens for breaking and eating the few eggs I'm actually getting right now, but I think I've found the true culprit.

I'm glad Therese wasn't watching the barn camera to see my high speed barn Olympics. Now to plan out how to relocate Sparky, or at least block him out of the chicken coop until he leaves the barn on his own.


I've been thinking about writing this for a little while now. Farming is 365 days a year, caretakers of livestock don't ...
01/10/2025

I've been thinking about writing this for a little while now.

Farming is 365 days a year, caretakers of livestock don't get to skip taking care of their animals. They still need to eat, have water, and have their needs met every day of the year.

Which means that a farmer has money going out year round. If you're supporting a farmer by buying their products don't just randomly stop when that item ends up cheaper in the store.

I'll use our chickens and eggs as an example. The last time egg prices in the store got crazy high, people started coming to us for farm fresh eggs because our price was comparable to or cheaper than the store. But then when egg prices went down those people disappeared and our egg sales dropped right off. We were depending on those sales to keep the birds fed, without the egg money we were feeding hens from other sources of income. So we sent better than half the flock to auction to cut our numbers.

Fast forward to right now and prices are climbing again. People are coming out of the woodwork wanting to buy eggs again. Except we no longer have the amount of hens needed to supply the demand.

Some folks have gotten upset that we can't supply them with what they want. But the moral of this story is, if you're buying any products consistently from a farmer and then suddenly stop, don't get angry in the future when they might not be able to immediately supply you.



Anyone out there ever do this? We've certainly got the cold dry snow to do it with. I think I might give it a try. ...
01/09/2025

Anyone out there ever do this? We've certainly got the cold dry snow to do it with. I think I might give it a try.




How Not to Be a Jerk to the Snow Plow Driver This WinterWinter is back — whether we welcome the old man or not. And, he’...
01/09/2025

How Not to Be a Jerk to the Snow Plow Driver This Winter

Winter is back — whether we welcome the old man or not. And, he’s brought his old friends snow, sleet, ice, and incompetent drivers.

We could probably do without them all, but it’s the last one that’s truly the pits. True, people drive like idiots in the summer as well. But on an 80-degree day in July, you don’t see anyone passing a plow truck. That takes a special kind of numbskull.

But you don’t want to be that special kind of moron, do you? Of course you don’t! So, for the sake of everyone out there, from the plow truck driver who is just trying to do his job to the volunteer emergency workers who would really much rather be home with their families than crawling into your upside down car at 2 a.m., do us all a favor. Follow these rules this winter:

1. Don’t pass a plow truck, unless the driver has specifically pulled over and waved you on for some reason or another.

2. Don’t assume the plow truck driver can see your vehicle. Poor visibility affects every driver in a storm, including those up in the big rigs.

3. Don’t let your kids play in the snow near the road, in the road, or in a parking lot. No one wants a child to be hit, least of all a plow truck driver, but little kids are awfully hard to spot when you’re up that high. It’s all the worse when they’re lying down making snow angels or hiding in a snow castle.

4. Don’t ride the plow truck’s tail. Ever heard of proper stopping distance? You should be at least four vehicle lengths behind a plow truck if you don’t want to slam into their bad end at a sudden stop. Technically, the same goes for following any vehicle in bad weather. Leave some room! Not too mention, if you're following closely your car is going to get pinged by the salt he is spreading to keep the road under you safe.

5. Don’t run outside your house to hail the plow truck down and complain about the job the driver is doing, this also includes going on social media to complain. Before complaining, think about the storm. Are the roads poor because it’s been dropping freezing rain for hours or snowing like mad, or is it really because someone is doing a bad job? If you’re still thinking it’s the latter, call the highway barn and talk to the big boss. Either he’s the one calling the shots or he should know what his driver is up to.

6. Do treat the plow truck driver like a human being. They work long hours, often in the middle of the night or on holidays when regular folks are snuggled up on the couch or in their beds. They work against Mother Nature, who is a hard woman to reason with. And believe it or not, they don’t make millions of dollars (and if they did, you’d hoot and holler about your taxes). They could use a little compassion every once in awhile … just like you and me.



Reposted this with some modifications from a post I had saved a few years ago.

that sheep get bikini trims too?We're about a month off from starting lambing so the ewes got their yearly pre lambing...
01/08/2025

that sheep get bikini trims too?

We're about a month off from starting lambing so the ewes got their yearly pre lambing crutching done.

A lot of farms will shear their ewes before lambing, and someday we will likely switch over to that as well. But for now they just get trimmed around their rear ends, around the udder, and on their belly and flanks.

This is done for two reasons, first is sanitary so that the wool in the back doesn't get soaked with the birthing fluids. The other reason for doing around the udder and such is so that the lamb will have an easier time finding the teat. Their instinct is to go for the teat as soon as they're on their feet, but if there is a big dangling bit of wool they might get that in their mouth and try nursing on that instead.

It's only a couple minute process, I tend to do the back end trimming while they're standing and then I roll them over onto their tail to the rest.





Anyone out there familiar with this brand of wool socks? We were checking out a new store that opened recently and found...
01/07/2025

Anyone out there familiar with this brand of wool socks? We were checking out a new store that opened recently and found these.

Of course I had to pick up a couple pairs to try. American made wool socks at that price was a no brainer, had to check them out.

One pair is 90% wool and the other is 71%. Of course I grabbed the wrong size of one so I passed them next door for my mother to try.

I wore the 90% pair for two days and was quite happy with how my feet felt even on the negative temperatures we had both days.

I'll certainly be going back for more. They also have a lighter weight wool sock that I think will be great for summer time.





The results from the oxtail I posted the other night. A rich hearty beef and barley soup. Split the tail between the joi...
01/07/2025

The results from the oxtail I posted the other night. A rich hearty beef and barley soup.

Split the tail between the joints, seasoned it liberally with garlic, salt, and pepper and seared it off in bacon grease in a hot cast iron.

Then into the pressure cooker for 45 minutes with onions, seasonings, and more garlic. It didn't have to go that long but I feel the extended time really extracts all the goodness from the bones and connective tissues to make that great broth.

Set the pieces of bone/ meat outside in the negative temps to cool while I got the barley into the pressure cooker. While that was cooking I pulled the meat all off the bones to be added back in at the end.

Then because I can't cook small, we took a big bowl to my parents, had it for supper that night, lunch at work yesterday, and I'm taking the last of it for my lunch today.





Always have to check out the clearance section no matter what store I'm in. This trip to TSC was well worth it. Regularl...
01/07/2025

Always have to check out the clearance section no matter what store I'm in. This trip to TSC was well worth it.

Regularly $134.99 marked down to $40.99 all because of a broken cover.

Not that I actually need it, our sheep never got dewormed last year because the f***l egg counts never suggested it was needed.

But for that price it was worth grabbing to have it in the cabinet in case we did need it, or any local producers needed just a little for their flocks.



I once had a coworker who was totally flabbergasted when I told him we didn't have a skidsteer or a loader tractor. He a...
01/06/2025

I once had a coworker who was totally flabbergasted when I told him we didn't have a skidsteer or a loader tractor. He asked me how we managed to clean the barn.

This right here pitchfork, shovel, and a wheelbarrow.

Who else is manual cleaning only?

Always fun to be heading out to do chores when the temperature is negative. Never know what will be frozen when you get ...
01/06/2025

Always fun to be heading out to do chores when the temperature is negative. Never know what will be frozen when you get to the barn.

Sometimes you just want to reach out and boop the cute little noses.
01/05/2025

Sometimes you just want to reach out and boop the cute little noses.



? That lamb 🐑 is an excellent source of high protein, and excellent nutrients for any diet. I know most people think of...
01/05/2025

?

That lamb 🐑 is an excellent source of high protein, and excellent nutrients for any diet. I know most people think of just 2 main red meats when planning their shopping trips, Beef 🐮 and Pork 🐷, and 2 white meats Chicken 🐔, and Turkey 🦃. But Lamb and preferably American 🇺🇸 Lamb deserves a spot in every kitchen. There is a cut of lamb suitable for every meal plan, and budget.

Here are the nutritional facts for many common cuts 🔪 of Lamb, based on a 3oz serving 🍽. All of which are naturally carbohydrate free (gluten free too, obviously 😉).

Leg- 162 Calories, 24.05g Protein, 6.58g Total Fat, & 76mg Cholesterol.

Loin-172 Calories, 22.6g Protein, 8.3g Total Fat & 74mg Cholesterol.

Rib- 197 Calories, 22.24g Protein, 11.31g Total Fat, & 75mg Cholesterol.

Shank- 159 Calories, 26.36g Protein, 5.12g Total Fat, & 88mg Cholesterol.

The fourth picture shows a comparison of many common non-meat protein sources vs lamb. I found it to be quite surprising 😮 the amount of calories that some of those plant based products have in order to provide the same amount of protein. I don't know about you, but I'd rather 3oz of lamb instead of 3 cups of quinoa 🌱. Not that I occasionally don't enjoy quinoa.

If you would like to put lamb on your table my first suggestion is to look for a local farmer 👨‍🌾👩‍🌾 that you can purchase meat from. If that isn't an option in your area then check the meat case at your local grocer 🏪 and ask first for American Lamb.

And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Also check out the American Lamb Board for great information and recipes.





I'm sure most folks out there know what this cut of meat is. But what is your guess on what I'll be making with it tomor...
01/05/2025

I'm sure most folks out there know what this cut of meat is.

But what is your guess on what I'll be making with it tomorrow?




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Churubusco, NY

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Videos

Got the camera set up for lambing, seeing as we start in about 3 weeks or so. As you can see, they have one thing on their mind, munching down on some hay. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #SuffolkSheep #NorthCountryCheviot #LambingSeason

For sheep who have never had alfalfa before, they are certainly enjoying their first taste of "sheep crack". #FaithHopeLoveFarm #SuffolkSheep #NorthCountryCheviot

Many people have asked me "Aren't your sheep cold outside? ". Hope this will help explain some of why they're not cold. They come equipped by God with their very own thick wool sweater and internal furnace. If we as shepherds provide them with proper nutrition and if needed a windbreak or shelter they will be perfectly fine. No I'm not saying for them to lamb outside like that, but for the time leading up to lambing being outside and moving around is healthier for them. Ours have a shelter they can choose to use and most of the time even during a snowstorm they are on the high spot in their pasture all sleeping together letting the snow pile up on them. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #DidEweKnow #Sheep #SuffolkSheep #NorthCountryCheviot

I was asked on another post if we use any minerals with our sheep. Yes, we do, I'm a big believer in the need for a good mineral program for sheep. There are many mineral options out there, but you want to make sure you're using a loose mineral as opposed to a mineral salt block. My personal preference is the mineral from Premier 1 Supplies that comes in a 5lb bag that you then mix with 50lbs of salt. I find this to be not only the most economical option but also the one that has the best nutrient analysis and the sheep do great on it. The key to a good mineral program is to keep it available for them all the time. They'll pick at it pretty much everyday, and consume the proper amounts that way. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #DidEweKnow #NorthCountryCheviot #SuffolkSheep

As I said on Emenheiser Sheep 's post the other night, Moses has decided to become a destructive little 💩 lately. I don't know if it's because of the pen change, or being closer to the bigger rams but he's decided water buckets and feed pans are his mortal enemy. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #SuffolkSheep

He's so helpful 🤣 I swear this ram needs a pacifier, he will chew on and play with anything he can get in his mouth. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #SuffolkSheep

Chanel is thinking "You called me up here just to video me? Goodbye!" She'd rather go harass her sister over the fence. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #Appaloosa #Palomino #LifeOutHere

Santa Claus 🎅 isn't the only one who gets to drive a deer on Christmas Eve. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #JohnDeere #Snow #ChristmasEve

American Lamb burgers for supper tonight. Some with just basic salt, garlic, and pepper, & trying some with Ras El Hanout. Can't wait for them to be ready to eat lol. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #EatMoreAmericanLamb #EatLambWearWool

Yang says "You won't pet me? Fine I'll rub all over your gloves so the house cats wonder what cat you're cheating on them with!" Wish I could have gotten my phone out quicker because he was going crazy rolling and playing with my gloves on top of the grain freezer. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #BarnCats

Going through some pictures and videos from earlier this year and ran across this one that I hadn't posted yet. This was this lamb's first shearing and I love how gentle our great shearer is with her. Normally lambs this age aren't shorn because there isn't much wool, but because she was going to be a show lamb I had him do her along with the big sheep. He could do her first haircut a lot quicker than I could and it would be less stressful on her. #FaithHopeLoveFarm #SuffolkSheep #WearWool #WearWoolStayWarm #WoolisForAllSeasons

A few weeks ago I made a post about making stock from leftover bits and pieces and rotisserie chicken carcasses. I had made that post to show that you didn't need to live on a farm or raise animals to can good chicken stock. You can make it from leftovers from your everyday meals. But this is that stock, the long simmer extracted all the goodness from the meat and the bones and provided us with this glorious thick stock full of flavor. #FaithHopeLoveFarm

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