The Journey Through Pictures
Follow the adventure in pictures. As time allows, I will add pictures that will document the history and progress of the farm. Enjoy, and if you plan to be in the neighborhood, let me know and come visit so you can see the current status in person.
Welcome to Hidden Hills Farm & Little Garden of Eat'n
Welcome to Hidden Hills Farm & Little Garden of Eat'n
The Beginning
The land was beautiful - there were some challenges though! The name Hidden Hills Farm was chosen from a point in the middle of the property, just beyond where the old barn stood, for the view... There wasnt anything in site but the land and the hills.
1st year - And what a year of firsts!
The first year was definitely a year of firsts!
First Nubians, first chickens, first LGDs, building the barn, first kids, first eggs, first vegetables and first cheeses...
First Nubians, first chickens, first LGDs, building the barn, first kids, first eggs, first vegetables and first cheeses...
2nd Year - Oh my how we grow!
The second year brought the mini Nubians - oh my what fun! 3 bred does produced 8 beautiful kids - 5 girls and 3 boys (nice ratio!)
Then came Dreamer, a purebred Nubian buckling, to be the purebred herdsire.
With more goats, it seemed fitting to add a couple more "employees", and Calvin & Hobbs joined the farm to learn guard duty from Chief and Sierra...
To round out the year, a new herdsire for the mini Nubians was selected (Dutch was related to too many to keep for more than one breeding season) and Milo was the winner from Green Gables.
And then what to do with all the extra milk? Goat Milk Soap!
This was also the year to begin selling eggs, produce and goat milk soap at the Rutherford County Farmers' Market...
Then came Dreamer, a purebred Nubian buckling, to be the purebred herdsire.
With more goats, it seemed fitting to add a couple more "employees", and Calvin & Hobbs joined the farm to learn guard duty from Chief and Sierra...
To round out the year, a new herdsire for the mini Nubians was selected (Dutch was related to too many to keep for more than one breeding season) and Milo was the winner from Green Gables.
And then what to do with all the extra milk? Goat Milk Soap!
This was also the year to begin selling eggs, produce and goat milk soap at the Rutherford County Farmers' Market...
The Saga Continues
Entering the 3rd year, Katahdin sheep (hair sheep) were introduced - a small starter flock of 5 ewes and a ram. The first lamb was born 5 months later.
Then came a wonderful opportunity to acquire a mini Nubian buck that was first choice the previous year but had been sold. Apollo arrived too late to breed in 2013 but his dance card will be full in 2014.
Then, a couple of new Nubian does were added - Fern promptly produced triplet does and proved to be a heavy consistent milker. Her sweet disposition is a welcome addition to a farm of divas!
More kids make an appearance and, sadly, as is the way of life, there were losses...
Then came a wonderful opportunity to acquire a mini Nubian buck that was first choice the previous year but had been sold. Apollo arrived too late to breed in 2013 but his dance card will be full in 2014.
Then, a couple of new Nubian does were added - Fern promptly produced triplet does and proved to be a heavy consistent milker. Her sweet disposition is a welcome addition to a farm of divas!
More kids make an appearance and, sadly, as is the way of life, there were losses...
