Thursday, March 4, 2010
As I write this, the temperature outside is pushing into the mid50's, the alpacas are suning themselves and looking for tender shoots of emerging grass and the remnant patchwork of snow cover is rapidly fading into memories of a long winter. Spring is definitely in the air!
Spring brings a fury of activity to Heritage Farm. Birthing season is fast approaching and show season starts for us in a matter of days. Thoughts of fixing fences and repairing barns take a higher priority after the r read more...
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Our son came home from college during the three day Easter recess. I hadn't really planned on tackling any of the many projects on the farm to-do list over the weekend because I didn't want him to think I always put him to work when he comes home. But, he volunteered to come down to the barn Friday morning to help with chores.
After chores were done, we got to talking about some of the projects that needed to be done, and before we knew it, we were tearing down an old board fence that had ne read more...
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Monday, April 13, 2009
The older I get, the more intensely I see and feel the seasons. Maybe it's because I realize I have a finite time left, and the good things around me are to be savored and valued. Spring is one of those good things!
As a kid, I always looked forward to April and the elation associated with finally being able to spend hours playing outside. Those positive feelings were accompanied by greening grass, moderating temperatures, more light to enjoy the day -- and thunderstorms. "God's firework read more...
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Friday, April 18, 2008
Many of us live in houses that have a story. We think our 2 story federal style brick home has a special story because of family connections. It's gone through some changes over its 150 years, but it still maintains the strength and character the original builder planned for.
When Beth's parents bought the farm 50 years ago, the old brick house was the last structure Bob inspected. He was much more interested in the condition of the barn for housing his prized Hereford cattle than the roof o read more...
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Sunday, October 14, 2007
One of the topics at the Suri Network Summer Symposium was marketing Suri Alpacas to the traditional livestock industry. A dynamic and very well qualified speaker by the name of Bret Kaysen presented a very interesting and provocative talk. Bret is a hog farmer, livestock judge and Colorado State University extension educator that has been immersed in all aspects of livestock since childhood.
One point Bret made was that the alpaca industry needs to do a better job influencing various live read more...
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Friday, September 14, 2007
A couple weekends ago we hosted an open farm day as a part of the National Alpaca Farm Day celebration. The weather wasperfect and we were fortunate enough to have nearly 300 people tour the farm and see our alpacas. We were extremely pleased to be reminded that public interest in country living and raising a wonderful, eco-friendly animal like the alpaca is still extremely high.
But getting the curious to the farm is only the first step toward creating customers. Identifying and reachin read more...
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