It is always exciting to plan for the future and make our dreams a reality, and this January we are doing just that. We are making big plans for our small farm, from providing more heritage chicken breeds to our customers , adding a second family dairy cow to our farm, and creating our own dream milk parlor for our two girls. These plans might seem like a lot more work for a small family , the benefits far outweigh any negatives and make it an even better place for us to create and generate growth and ideas. Let’s take a look at what we have planned!

Chick Orders & The Rare breed "Death Layer"

We are excited about the arrival of some new additions to the family! While we’ve been raising chickens on our farm for 15 years, this year we are bringing in some new breeds from far away and most from local trusted farms to provide more hens to those of us wanting to live more sustainable lifestyle . This will allow us to expand our flock with beautiful plumage, more variety in egg colour and temperments, while also keeping more scraps out of the land fill. Having chickens on the farm is not only a great way to produce healthy, nutritious eggs for our family and customers, but it can also be beneficial for the environment. Chickens are able to help reduce pests naturally by eating weeds and insects, while their manure creates natural fertilizer that helps improve soil fertility. Additionally, chickens provide us with an environmentally friendly source of meat and eggs which are produced without having to use any chemicals or hormones. Moreover, keeping chickens can help support local wildlife as well as provide a habitat for birds like sparrows who feed on their food scraps. All these benefits make raising chickens an excellent choice for anyone looking to become more sustainable in their agricultural practices

This year after years of searching I was able to secure a heritage breed known as "the death layer" this breed out-lays all other chickens and keeps laying the entirety of its life, whereas most hens stop around year 2-4 years. This causes a problem for people wanting dependable hens, and the question about what to do with hens who no longer lay. On our farm our chickens are our responsibily , and we don't move them on when they stop laying , so its important for us to hatch only heritage breeds who may lay less eggs than a factory breed, but lay for much longer into their adulthood.Having your own chickens is fun, and exciting for people of all ages,they make great pets and there is nothing quite like watching little ones collect breakfast from the coop, or the anticipation and feeling of one of your hens laying her first egg. We are looking forward to seeing these little ones grow up - they’re sure to bring therepeutic and positive energy no matter where you are.

All the breeds that we have chosen this year to ensure that our farm is not only providing beautiful animals to customers but also being mindful. All chicks will be $15 each straight run (un-sexed):

• blue eggs, as well as their ability to lay eggs for longer periods throughout their adulthood. They have a friendly temperament and make good pets, especially around children.

• BBS Standard Cochins iconic breed of chicken known for their striking stately presence on any farm. They are a magnificent addition to any flock, whether for egg production, gentle and peaceful demeanor,or simply for the sake of aesthetic beauty. Cochins are calm and quiet, making them especially friendly for backyard flocks.

• The Buff Orpington : an excellent addition to any flock, as they are a gentle, docile breed that loves attention and interacting with people. These birds have a calm and friendly demeanor that makes them popular for urban farms as well as backyard operations.

• Bielfelders- an increasingly popular and unique breed from Germany, most commonly found in the Bielefeld region. The Bielfelder known for its hardiness, beauty, and egg-laying prowess. They are also quite rare, making them a great addition to any flock

• Light sussex an excellent choice for any backyard flock. They are gentle, active birds that can produce up to 200 large tinted pink eggs per year, but they are also incredibly hardy and can thrive in any climate,I call them my hell or high water girls.

• Mixed trios

Death layers will be straight run and $60 each

Gardening and landscaping projects around the property.

We have started preparing ground for a family tea and vegitable garden in front of our home.

Amending soil to expand our indigenous medicine sector, and making preparations for full size 2 acre squash patch will be priority come February.

From spreading organic manure, tarping ground, flattenning terrain, and mapping out vegetable gardens with fresh produce in mind, to tilling soil in flower beds or working on walkways throughout the yard .Gardening has always been therapeutic for us so it's so satisfying getting your hands dirty while watching your creation come together . Who doesn't love being able share their bounty with friends near and far?

The last part of our plan is Creating Our off grid style Dream Milk Parlour.

We knew when we bought this land that it would be special place where we could provide healthy, delicious food for our family. After a long wait between business and upgrades it's finally time to create it right here on the farm! I've always known exactly what I want , and we have already started planning out how things will look inside, rustic and bright, with white concrete floors ship lap walls for ease of cleaning,a heater for us girls on cold days, and a nursery in the stall next door for calfs.

What type of equipment and supplies need to be ordered, such as hot water on demand, Solar panels for lights and fans, Milking stools, and stainless steel table and milk buckets .How how soon we can get this project off the ground will completly depend on my resourcefulness,us ,and the weather. But It’s going to be so exciting once it starts - stay tuned!

There is something special about planning out new projects that brings joy,togetherness, and anticipation into our lives. As we embark on this journey of creating,dreaming,and running a small farm, it's worth noting that each step taken brings us closer towards a bigger goal - its more than just food production to us, community-building,learning, and most of all sharing and teaching . Wish us success as we work hard over these next few months with big dreams in mind!