THE FARM

   We rest in a little hollow just southwest of Eugene city limits, on 20 rolling acres of pasture and wood. The setting is beautiful; the soils range from "not too bad" to "marginal".Fortunately, the sheep are adaptable and make for a good utilization of the property. The flock has access to multiple cross-fenced pastures, plenty of shade and three different barns.  Thistles and wool-grabbing blackberry vines are kept under control by mowing or hand-cutting only, never herbicides.    In the late fall after shearing, ewes are moved to large south-facing fields below the house. This allows me to keep a close eye on them during the last months of gestation and lambing time. By springtime, new grass stretches from fence to fence, and little lambs bloom like wildflowers.Despite the work, studies indicate that looking out at a flock of sheep can work wonders towards achieving inner peace!