Inevitably, the short respite that is autumn quickly becomes the blustery winds and frosty winter mornings that wipe the slate clean in preparation for the new year. All those brilliant warm colors are gone, and we are left wondering what happened to the year and (if you’re like me) why the heck are my toes so damn cold??
At our house, the wool socks and sweaters, winter coats, boots, and hats are being drug out from the attic or closet and the “slanket” has already been ceremoniously unboxed and donned. This precious article will preserve my life force over the long, cold winter ahead. This also signals the awakening of the little voice inside my head mocking, “Farming? Really? You know you have to go outside to do that right?”
Lucky for me, I have a short memory and the winter is relatively mild here in Virginia. It is often amusing for “loved” ones to point out that, not only was I born and raised in the mountains of Colorado, but I also have Nordic blood in my veins…or at least that’s what they tell me.
Enough about my ordinary lack of ability to produce internal heat. Let’s talk about what’s new and extraordinary. Some exciting things have been happening around the Purple Mockingbird in the last month or so. First and foremost, we happily welcomed some plucky new arrivals to the flerd (flock/herd).
Goats have been a part of the operation practically from the beginning when we bought a handful of little mixed-breed goats to help us out with brush control. However, a few things became clear right away. First, tiny goats are ADORABLE and infinitely entertaining. Buuut, those little Nigerian Dwarf cross goats weren’t making much of a dent in the brush. And second, we were getting a lot of calls from folks interested in goat meat who had seen them on our website. Eat our cute, tiny goats? It seemed unfathomable. The third thing that we realized was that our 43 acres here were pretty much made for the nimble, curious, and very efficient mowers. What we needed were bigger goats. Heartier and wilder goats! Goats that were not deterred by the tangled snarling masses of brambles and briars but excited by them.
Well, recently, we got just that. Luckily enough, we were able to obtain a small herd of 100% New Zealand Kiko goats from a Virginia Kiko ranch. They’ve already made a huge impression on us and the land. Not only by impressing the heck out of us with their “wildness” and athleticism, (which quickly forced us to rethink our containment systems and to second guess our goat handling skills), but also with their amazing ability to clear brush like pros. Being much larger than their Nigerian Dwarf pasture-mates, they very efficiently turn “weeds” into glorious, shiny goat. What better way to naturally clear the land while producing something amazing?
Kiko goats are known for being very adaptable, hearty, and versatile. They are popular as meat, dairy, pack, and brush goats. We think these beauties will bring much to the Purple Mockingbird Farm and our customers. We look forward to offering lots of marvelous new goat/handmade products including grass-fed goat meat, goat kids, breeding stock, soaps, and maybe even goat’s milk produced by these noble inhabitants. Exciting times for sure!
As a final wrap-up note, we want to remind all of you health and taste-minded consumers out there that we are offering the last our final batch of delicious pastured, organic-fed chickens of the year as well as our pastured, organic-fed eggs. These items make great holiday gifts for the foodies and the health/environmentally conscious ones on your list, though we no longer recommend them as stocking stuffers. LOL
It’s so easy too! Just click on and submit the attached order form or go online and order at www.purplemockingbirdfarm.com. You can call us at 434-933-2075 or email dara@purplemockingbirdfarm.com. We will also be in Chesterfield again for our monthly delivery day on December 11 from 10-12 so come on out and meet us to pick up your order for free. We can’t wait to see you!