agri-Culture

Any time you put the word “summit” in something, it mentally becomes bigger than you previously thought.  A conference on steroids, in most people's minds.  And when you do an ag-related summit in California, that notion of grandeur can be well deserved, even when you take away the size of the state itself.  The sheer amount of agricultural exports that the producers in California send to other parts of the U.S. and the world is staggering.But there's another aspect to agriculture that is a huge business opportunity:  Agritourism.  If you've ever been wine tasting, done a farm tour, seen the flower fields, gone horseback riding, or sampled local cheese while sitting in your B&B, you're an agritourist.The 2025 California Agritourism Summit, put on by the UCNR (Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources), is meant to highlight the potential of agritourism for the producers in California.  It's another way for our food and fiber producers to maintain self-sufficiency in these changing times.The wave is here, and California farm producers are ready to ride it.  And this one doesn't have to be near the ocean. Links:https://ucanr.edu/site/communications-toolkit/acronym-directoryhttps://www.usda.gov/glossaryhttps://ucanr.edu/site/california-agritourismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Got_Milk%3Fhttps://class.ucanr.edu/statewide-program/uc-anr-small-farms-network/ramiro-lobo-sfp-advisor-san-diego-countyhttps://www.cdfa.ca.gov/SecretaryBio.htmlwww.cagrown.orgSupport the show

In what started out as a May Day date (that's a truckload of compost in Rick and Elara's world), a visit to San Pasqual Valley Soils struck black gold (again, compost).  In one of the most fortuitous spontaneous Backyard Green Films conversations yet, an extremely knowledgeable dirt farmer by the name of Craig Kolodge, PhD (“Dr. K.” to pretty much everyone) gave an impromptu interview, surrounded by towers of amendment and beeping trucks full of manure, compost and wood chips.  Elara was in heaven, with the conversation chock full of words such as “nematode,” ”sequestration,” “carbon cycle,” and other sciency stuff.Don't ever say there's no such thing as romance anymore, especially in Springtime. Links:https://spvsoils.com/https://spvsoils.com/craig-m-kolodge/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Dayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphroditehttps://clairemontonline.com/event-6080495Support the show

On today's podcast we meet up with Brook Sarson from CatchingH2O.  We followed Brook as she took a passel of learners and UCSD's Director of the Bioregional Center, Keith Pezzoli, PhD, on a tour of a greywater and rain catchment project that her company had recently installed. Water management is a favorite topic for us here at Backyard Green Films.  With efforts like these, even if April brings few showers, we still have a chance at May flowers.  Welcome to Spring!Links:https://catchingh2o.com/#0https://bioregionalcenter.ucsd.edu/PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the show

We've been hunkering down for the last few months now on the traveling side of our Backyard Green Films universe.  2024 was a doozy of a year for us in many respects, so we had to take a few moments to catch our breath this winter. Enrique Guerra, also known as “Kiko,” is our guest today, and he's pretty much royalty in Texas Longhorn Cattle circles.  Kiko is the son of another Enrique Guerra – who was always known as Enrique, and he was the man who was responsible for saving a huge chunk of the pure genetics of the original Texas Longhorn, among other lifetime accomplishments.  The senior of the two Enrique's did that by running around the mountains of Mexico and collecting up what animals he could find that had not been diluted yet by the different breeds arriving on the shores of North America.  He was quite a man to live up to, I think, and is still spoken of with reverence and admiration. But history can be preserved in many ways, and Kiko's way of practicing preservation, yet keeping it relatable, is one of my favorites. He's an artist. Aside from the accomplishments of his famous parent, and family, Kikko is royalty in his own right.  He is a world-renowned artist, and his sculptures and paintings depict incredibly simple scenes of the basics of life, and yet they resonate with complexity.  So yes, he paints a man leading a burro or farmers tilling their land.  He sculpts scenes from the trails of old Texas and Mexico.  And they resonate.  The Brisco Western Art Museum thought so, and there you can see his famous piece, “The Vaquero.”  It's a sculpture of a man driving two Longhorn cattle along the trail, yoked by ropes and bobbins.  Historically correct, of course.  And you can also find one of his sculptures at the famous site known as the Alamo, in San Antonio.  And his art is not just one thing.  He very much believes in the importance of preserving the original Longhorn cattle breed at San Vicente Ranch.  History, beauty and practicality all built into the genes of that one animal. Links:https://texashighways.com/culture/an-interwoven-legacy-guerra-family/https://sanvicenteranch.com/https://enriqueguerraart.com/?page_id=252https://banderafiberandarts.com/https://youtu.be/Ghekozq7lUE?si=T2lOqzlyZ04s5FQ3From the Pasture with Hired HandExpert advice on breeding, marketing & technology for livestock breeders & ranchers.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

Now, if you hear me talk about Rhinebeck, you might think today's guest is going to focus on wool. Nope! Not really. Sheep, yes, hair yes, but mostly wool, no. Our podcast guest today is a lovely man named Brent Zimmerman, and as I introduce him I'm kind of hard pressed to call him one thing, though you could definitely call him a sheep farmer.Links:https://www.facebook.com/limekilnfarmNYhttps://sheepandwool.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorperhttps://dorpersheep.org/Support the show

Music by Charlie Recksieck to usher us into the New Year.Support the show

Most people commemorate Thanksgiving today, and all things associated with this holiday.  There will be some celebrating family, some marking the day with food, and some praying at the altar of football.  Some will be remembering the Pilgrims, and the earliest arrival of Europeans bringing colonists and their livestock to North America.  NOT!Stephen Monroe schools us on a common misconception about the domestic animals that were truly the first to be brought here to the Americas.  Which livestock breeds beat the Mayflower across the Atlantic?  What we currently call the “Spanish Colonial” horses were just one group, and the hardy and adaptable Florida Cracker Horse was a derivative breed of this impactful importation.  Horses, cattle, chickens and goats - and they arrived 100 years before the big wooden boat we celebrate today.But don't forget – the Spanish brought the pigs in then, too, so football is truly appropriate.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.Links:https://themayflowersociety.org/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056085/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Cracker_Horsehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Marsh_Tacky#Historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banker_horse#Breed_historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Ponce_de_Le%C3%B3nhttps://www.history.com/topics/exploration/juan-ponce-de-leonhttps://www.fdacs.gov/https://floridacrackerhorseassociation.com/Support the show

We were in the mood for something sweet, so we thought it was time for a visit to the sugar shack. We packed up our gear and headed back east to Westbrook, CT to our friends John and Bonnie Hall at Maple Breeze Farm. There we saw the whole process of making that sweet maple syrup.  Just in time for the maple glazed ham at Thanksgiving. Links:https://www.facebook.com/p/Maple-Breeze-Farm-100064517539226Support the show

October is not only a great time to celebrate fiber (what with the Lambtown and Rhinebeck festivals, just to name a few), but it's also Breast Cancer Awareness month.  How do we get both things in one podcast?  Knitted Knockers!Barbara Demorest is the Feisty Lady with Fortitude who took a horrible event in life and made it into something that has helped millions to cope with the ravages of breast cancer.  We hope you tune in to see what she did, and maybe even how you can be a part of what this amazing organization does to help others.  And all with a bit of fiber and friendship.P.S.  We miss you, Mom, but we'll keep trying to save the udders (always one for a good pun, she was).Links:https://www.knittedknockers.org/https://www.lambtown.org/https://sheepandwool.com/Support the show

Every once in a while you meet a person you've read about in a book.  It might not be the actual person, but is the personification of a character that is so accurate, it might as well have jumped out straight from the pages.  Today, our podcast guest is one of those.  James Metcalfe lives on Hardenclough Farm, “in the heart of the beautiful Peak District [with a] flock of pedigree Cheviots & Luing cattle grazing under the shadow of Mam Tor.”  You would never guess that the man is a poet, because his strong, steady farming character could have come straight out of James Herriot's Yorkshire hills.  He came to be a judge at the North American Hill Sheep Show, and though he would not be one to jump the line or show a bit of flash, he's one that we at Backyard Green Films will picture frequently in the future, every time we hear the word “Farmer” – in the best possible way -- quiet strength and always willing to lend a hand. Links:https://www.instagram.com/hardenclough_farm/https://www.visitengland.com/experience/discover-all-creatures-great-and-small-yorkshire Support the show

We're back from the North American Hill Sheep Show in Escanaba, Michigan.  This inaugural event showcased some British Hill Breed Sheep and some not-quite-Hill Breed Sheep, of course, but there was more to see, hear and smell.  Lovely vendor booths with soft woolens and fragrant soaps in abundance, sheepdog trials with panting puppies, food trucks (with some mighty fine brisket, thank you sir), and ice cream that is famous across all of the “M” roads.And then, there were the Brits.  The judges (and families) arrived in good spirits and raring to go, and the whole things was a true education in all things Sheepish. In addition to sheep, they do grow some Absolutely Fabulous people on those little islands, we must say.  Some were English, some Welsh, some Scottish and some Irish, but all delightful.  And good sports, to boot.  They will be sorely missed – at least until next spring (we hope).  Sincere thanks to all from the Backyard Green Films crew.  Our lives are better for having met you.Links:https://www.nahillsheepshow.com/ Support the show

Where do we go for fun?  Well, all kinds of places, but fish hatcheries, farm shows, and livestock auctions are on the list.  Today, we're taking you back to jolly old England (almost Scotland, actually), to a little town called Hexham.  It lies at the foot of Northumberland National Park and a stone's throw (literally) from Hadrian's Wall.  This is as charming a hamlet as you might ever imagine.  It has lovely bridges, excellent tapas, wonderfully kind people, a first-class auction yard, and mules.Wait – aren't we talking sheep today?  What's all this about mules?Yep – mules -- that are technically sheep.  Listen in to Drew Patrick and Chris Armstrong, master auctioneers at Hexham and Northern Marts, to find out why some of these sheep are mules.  And Hexham is in the Borderlands, so some sheep also look like rabbits – but that's another podcast. Links:https://hexhammart.co.uk/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-world-s-top-wool-producing-countries.htmlhttps://www.nahillsheepshow.com/ Support the show

Located in the southern portion of Scotland, Lanark might be best known in agricultural circles for those big guys from the area around the River Clyde, and to history buffs as the first place local resident William Wallace drew his sword in earnest.  We love heavy horses with a passion, but the sheep need to have their day, too.  Last September, Lanark Agricultural Centre saw Shetland Sheep and members of all sizes and colors coming for the Gathering, because “There can be only one!”  (oops – wrong movie again, though with William in the first paragraph, the sword thing kind of took us over.).  All shapes and sizes of SHETLAND SHEEP and the society that supports their continuation came to show, to sell, and to talk to the Backyard Green Films crew.We're still high on life from one of the most memorable trips of our lifetime – can you tell?  And still aloft from meeting the people and livestock of the British Isles.  Long may they rein (still had to make a horse joke).Links:https://www.shetland-sheep.org.uk/https://www.shetland-sheep.org.uk/shows-sales-and-eventhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Bakewellhttps://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdomhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_conquest_of_Britainhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shetlandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorking_chickenhttps://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/lanark-p244081https://scandinaviafacts.com/norsemen-vs-vikings-whats-the-difference/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Isle_(technique)PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the Show.

In life, there are talkers and doers.  Of the doers, many of them have a characteristic known as “True Grit,” and today's podcast guests are in that category.Millie and Stacy Bradshaw own Dry Creek Livestock, and a few hours north of Salt Lake City, these two intrepid souls are building a place to call home on the windswept plains and low hills of Utah.  On their ranch you'll find a range of critters, including goats (for meat and milk), cattle (for beef), livestock guardian dogs (for the previous two) and - periodically – mountain lions (because apparently ranching is just too easy in Utah).   Millie and Stacy know more than the average farmer about the plant life that surrounds them, and they use that and their livestock in a way that works with nature to build something out of this lonely land.We hope you join us today for a talk with two modern-day pioneers (and a few comments from the always wonderful Tom Boyer), who are building a patch of land into a place to call home.  It's something right out of a western movie, but these are the real heroes – even without the star billing.Links:https://www.instagram.com/dry.creek.livestock/https://www.premier1supplies.com/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17505010/?ref_=ls_t_4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_(TV_series)https://www.nps.gov/state/ut/index.htmhttps://heyexplorer.com/29-things-utah-is-known-and-famous-for/https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/582124/how-did-sand-come-to-mean-courage-pluckhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065126/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2Support the Show.

It's time for Horse Progress Days!  It's one of our favorite events of the year, and this July it was held in Lancaster County, PA - just in time for the height of a national heatwave.  Everyone soldiered on through, though, with nary a complaint to be found from this stoic bunch.  It was a good thing everyone pushed through the heat until the close of the day, because the HPD organizers saved some of the best for last (okay, the middle and beginning was pretty good, too).  The Backyard Green Films bunch had a front row seat for the Breed Presentation.  With longtime HPD participant Dale Stoltzfus doing a wonderfully informative commentary track, horses of every size, shape and color were on view, and riders, drivers, leaders and be-free-rs were putting on a show.The commentary was so informative that we wanted to bring it all to you on our podcast, but in a few days you can go to the Backyard Green Films YouTube channel to get a (dusty) front-row visual as well.  Either way, we hope you feel like you were sitting right next to us for the whole show. Links:https://horseprogressdays.com/2024-event-information/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhZba-P7R18&t=81sSupport the Show.

It's time for a talk – a Shepherd's Talk, that is.  Every year, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival has this popular segment available for shepherds, wannabe shepherds, ecologists, historians, and people who are just plain interested in fiber production from the ground up.  Today's talk is with Erin Bradt, of Helder Herdwyck Farm, where she talks about not just these fantastic little primitive sheep, but also about importation limitations, disease issues in livestock, and…well, more than we have time for in the intro. We'll be bringing you more of these fantastic seminars in the upcoming months.  If you'd like to see the visuals on this one (just like you're sitting on a hay bale in Rhinebeck), head over to the Backyard Green Films YouTube channel for this video, and much more.Links:https://helderherdwyck-farm.square.site/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-57015478www.sheepandwool.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLz9Oj_oVkg Support the Show.

On this podcast episode Bruce Farr of Farrview South Farm, American Milking Devon Cattle breeder (and a teamster!), sits down with John Hall, the President of the American Milking Devon Cattle Association. They discuss the history of the breed, characteristics they appreciate, and some non-traditional ideas for a very traditional breed.If you want to see the man himself (and the twinkle in his eye), head on over to our YouTube channel for our latest upload.Links:http://www.milkingdevons.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...Support the Show.

This week, we're speaking with Theresa Walker of Great Bay Wool Works and her lovely natural-colored ovine assistant Hazel (okay, so hubby Patrick did a little bit of modeling, too.).  We learn about natural-colored sheep, geography in New England, a bit of why New England and Old England feel familiar to each other, and much more.  This is one of those where Rick had to keep saying, “Stop patting the sheep, Elara.”  We think this fiber is gorgeous, regardless of whether it's on grass -- or on the very Patient Patrick.Links:https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovinehttps://greatbaywoolworks.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KcDt99gxkohttps://ncwga.org/https://americanromney.org/https://sheepandwool.com/Support the Show.

We're going down memory lane, and back to the beginning of all things for today's podcast.  In this case, it means the start of something that has grown into a behemoth in the world of Agriculture.  Originally from the shores of Scotland near Aberdeen, the cattle breed known as “Angus” has become the powerhouse breed by which all things are measured.   Today we're going back to the roots of the breed that has become synonymous with “beef,” and which has also changed over time to meet the needs of production agriculture.  Today we have a great conversation with Geordie and Louise Soutar of Dunlouise Native Angus in Forfar, near the shores of Aberdeen Scotland……and you get to listen to that lovely Scottish lilt, too.  Links:https://www.dunlouiseangus.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeenhttps://www.scotsman.com/regions/aberdeen-and-north-east/viking-link-to-the-north-east-of-scotland-1490003https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-55244660https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/ Support the Show.

We concluded the World Devon Congress adventure with the State that put these cattle on the map – okay, they're on the flag, anyway.  We had a wonderful tour through the Green Mountain State of Vermont, on our way to meet up with Anson Tebbets, Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.  This lovely man took a walk down the lane on his family farm to talk about the finer things in agricultural life that are represented in Vermont – maple syrup, socks, adult beverages and ice cream, just to name a few.  He believes in those who produce our food and fiber products, and works to support them with legislation, funding and promotion, and, of course, his valuable time.Vermont is a quietly beautiful agricultural state that is definitely worth a visit – even if you don't have time to hit the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour (though we strongly recommend it).  These hills are alive…with the taste of maple…and cider…and wool…and pickles…and… Links:https://agriculture.vermont.gov/administrationhttps://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/12-vermont-companies-running-2020-good-food-awardhttps://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/fifteen-vermont-companies-running-2022-good-food-awardhttps://www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news/dairy/american-milking-devons-the-perfect-breed-for-this-vermont-homestead/article_aec3cc10-0ef7-11ef-929b-83733b95d1f5.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Vermonthttps://darntough.com/https://www.benjerry.com/https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/https://skinnypancake.com/https://thetipsypickle.com/https://cabotcreamery.com/Well Beyond Medicine: The Nemours Children's Health PodcastExploring people, programs and bold ideas changing children's health for good.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.

Backyard Green Films is now in Florida, getting ready to start the World Devon Congress 2024.  But first (and last), our podcast with the butcher.  The place where everything ends – everything that is ordered medium rare, anyway.A.J. O'Neil is the perfect one to encapsulate almost everything that is fantastic about why Devons are popular.  He's a member of Red Devon USA, and a wonderful addition to their friendly and active Board of Directors.  He's sometimes serious, sometimes quiet, but always a family-oriented guy.  He talks with us about O'Neil's Quality Devons, O'Neil's Quality Foods, and the joys of beef bacon.  Maybe not so much on that last one, but it cannot be stressed enough by all, so we put it in there.  There was bacon, though.Head over to the Backyard Green Films YouTube channel if you want to see the man in action himself, but be warned - if your kids don't know where the burger comes from, this will be an educational experience.  He IS a butcher, after all.Links:https://www.reddevonusa.com/oneils_quality_devonsSupport the show

Our stay at Clockwork Cottage was one of the quiet delights of our UK trip in August of 2023.  The Peak District in England is well known as being a day-hiker's destination filled with rolling emerald fields, ancient stacked stone walls, and sheep, sheep and sheep.  There are those amazing things, yes, and found aplenty, but for the Backyard Green Films crew the hills were alive with the breeze blowing through the grass, and the sound of…Dexters!  Dexter Cattle, that is.  This smallest native breed is originally from Ireland, but found in other places now.  It might be hard to imagine a lovelier place for them than here, though.  And the Full English Breakfast and super soft beds had nothing to do with it, I'm sure.Our sincere thanks to Stephen Adcock for taking the time to speak with us in the midst of a busy farm day (and his wife Sharon, who introduced us to Full English Breakfast – can't forget that). Links:https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/41677221?source_impression_id=p3_1711931704_prSMSEwVpqzI9XTVhttps://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/getactive-walkinghttps://www.dextercattle.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/clockworkcottage/ Support the show

Steve Montgomery of Lamppost Farm is our guest on today's podcast, coming to you from a stop on the Devon Congress pre-tour - Columbiana, Ohio style this time.  Steve and his family raise Devon Cattle, Coopworth Sheep, pigs, turkeys and a partridge in a pear tree (okay, no partridges, but there are more chickens than you can safely count).  Their goal is to make and teach connections between living things, but the annual flock of Lamppost interns can tell you that they learn how to do the sweaty part on the farm as well.  These are just plain good solid people who open up their hearts and farm to those in need, wanting to make a difference.  As the Narnia bunch would tell you, when life gets rough, it's always lovely to have someone who's willing to leave the lamppost burning so others can find their way home.  C.S. Lewis would be proud. Links:http://www.lamppostfarm.com/https://whatnerd.com/movies-with-hidden-meanings-deeper-metaphors/https://iep.utm.edu/plato/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platohttps://historycooperative.org/norse-mythology/https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/gods/https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/gods/apollo/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewishttps://www.cnn.com/style/article/keep-calm-poster/index.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narniahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien Support the show

Andrea Tibbets of Clover Brooke Farm is our guest on today's podcast.  We usually see her at the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival (Rhinebeck), but since at that fine event we see her running the Camelid Barn and running the Leaping Llama contest and running the Spitters' Club and…well, just plain running, we decided it was way past time to visit her home turf.  For a walk.One of the most peaceful things you can do, we found, is to take a hike through Hyde Park with a llama on a leash.  It sounds like something for people with way too much time on their hands, but were schooled about 10 minutes in, when Zen and an overall feeling of wellbeing descended.  We are converted, and will recommend a camelid stroll to anyone who just need a little bit of peace.  Peace, with a tippy tappy song in our hearts, that is. Links:https://cloverbrookefarm.com/https://sheepandwool.com/events/competitions-shows/leaping-llamas/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Bluehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Support the show

It's another stop on our Devon Pre-Tour run.  This time, we're bringing you the sights and sounds from a delightful and delicious visit to Lakota Ranch in Remington, Virginia.  Lakota is the home of Jeremy Engh, President of Red Devon USA, Dr. Jerry Engh, the founder of the herd itself (and Jeremy, for that matter), and Patty Engh, who runs them both, we're fairly sure. We had a visit that included pasture rotation avec spicy herding dogs and spicier cows, a 30-year old Devon cow with calf (yes, we said that correctly), a stunning and mouthwatering winery luncheon experience (thank you, Chef Tim at Early Mountain Winery – what an amazing spread!), a hilltop hike to meet a tolerant bull and a world-travelling vet, and…well, we could go on, but we'll let you hear for yourself.  And you can not only hear, but also see parts of it as well if you go to our Backyard Green Films YouTube channel.  We're going to have to put it in a few episodes, as this visit was a two-day adventure and it was hard to put the camera down.  The hospitality of the Devonites was phenomenal, yet again.  Wow. Links:https://www.britannica.com/place/Mason-and-Dixon-Linehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_in_the_American_Civil_Warhttps://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/old-dominion/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chancellorsvillewww.reddevonusa.comwww.milkingdevons.orghttps://reddevonusa.com/lakota_ranch https://www.earlymountain.com/https://youtu.be/VhI0L26rs_E?si=tmESo1d41eJiUY4YSupport the show

Don't you love talking to people who know their stuff?  While crashing the Kilnsey Show in Yorkshire on our UK trip last August, we came across Clive Richardson, Field Officer for the Jacob Sheep Society.  It was a spontaneous tailgate conversation, but we magically ended up with not only someone who raises some of the most interesting-looking sheep you'll ever lay eyes on, but he was a truly well-spoken and well-researched man.  He has more than one book on his author creds page, and we're thinking it might be well worth a trip back across the pond.  He did write about Fell Ponies, after all.   Links:https://site.jacobsheepsociety.com/clive-richardson-pic/https://site.jacobsheepsociety.com/https://www.facebook.com/jacobsheepsocietyuk/https://site.jacobsheepsociety.com/breed-standard/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_sheephttps://www.southwestfarmer.co.uk/news/4523265.top-wool-award-jacob-sheep-breeder/http://bideaweefarm.com/ Support the show

It's the Devon Congress 2024 - Coming soon to an east-coast back road near you (if you live on the east coast and are there in April, that is).  This April, people are coming from all over the world to celebrate the Devon Cattle breed and all of its many shapes and sizes.  And if you live in the U.S., 400 years of Devon history is something even more amazing to celebrate.Red Devon USA is the host organization for this amazing road trip, and they gave us a little taste of the families and farms that would be on the tour (Okay, not a little taste.  Lots of tastes.  They feed you constantly.).  We visited in December, so there will be teeth chattering coming through the mics.  The hearts were warm, though, and hospitality abounded!We're starting with Bob and Diana VanKirk of 4 Seasons Farm in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.  On this visit there was pot roast, a Pink Lady Razor (Rick forgot his – thank you, Diana), and a pregnancy progression.  They were two of the most welcoming people we've met, and a wonderful start to the Devon Congress in April.Links:https://www.4seasonscattle.com/https://www.reddevonusa.com/Support the show

It's time for the mashup!  The Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers' Association once again hosted 30,000 (plus) attendees at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, and we were there to see (and interview, and livestream, and…everything) all of it! Maybe lots of it.  Part of it.  Okay, so we got what we could again this year, but this is the kind of wonderful occasion that we still haven't seen most of, no matter how much we run or how many relatives we co-opt to help out.You can visit the Backyard Green Films YouTube channel to see the livestream part for yourself, and we'll be posting new videos for you to see as we edit them in the upcoming year.  We're working on cloning editor Rick, but still can't get the copy right yet (get it?  Copy?  Editor?  Still jet lagged, we think).Links:https://www.dcswga.org/https://sheepandwool.com/https://greatbaywoolworks.com/https://www.daisyandcloverdesigns.com/http://www.helderherdwyckfarm.com/index.htmlhttps://www.dreareneeknits.com/Support the show

Here at Backyard Green Films, we're getting ready to celebrate the 400-year anniversary of the Devons coming to America with our Plymouth to Plimoth documentary.  In preparation for this event (and our film!), we spoke with Tom Begley, Deputy Director for Collections Research and Public Engagement at Plimoth Patuxet Museum.  Doesn't the site of the Pilgrim connection seem like a wonderful podcast for today's Thanksgiving holiday?  We thought so, too.In addition, we hope you join us in April and May, as we follow the Devon World Congress tour 2024.  People come from all over the world to celebrate the glories of the beef side of the Devon Cattle breed, and the American Milking Devon side of the family will be there, too.  More excitement to come in the upcoming year, we assure you.Thanksgiving is wonderful opportunity to celebrate the both our differences and our similarities, all with good food and good company.  We send our best wishes, and grateful thanks, to all of our listeners and our sponsors.Links:https://plimoth.org/Support the show

Our podcast guests today are Jeri Robinson Lawrence and daughter Irina Lawrence Matthais.  This hardworking mother/daughter team has contributed a few soundbites in between Points A, B, C and X in the rush of the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival every year, but as they're the ones that everyone needs something from at all times, a relaxed moment has been hard to come by with these two.So we went to the mountain (so to speak, although it's southern Pennsylvania just west of the Susquehanna River, so there were a few hills in there).  They have plenty of things available on their website for anyone who might want some delicious shades, colors, and types of fiber, but the physical location of the farm and shop known as Flying Fibers is a place for the senses.  Sheep (mostly Shetlands, with a few Leicester and Wensleydale in the mix), chickens, dogs, cats, toddlers, and what seems like every other creature in Noah's Ark are napping, creating, munching, gamboling or just sitting picturesquely on this little homestead, with green pastures surrounded by waving wheat and banks of bee-covered lavender.  We don't know how they trained all the critters to perform so beautifully for the cameras (but not the husband, I'm afraid – he ran when we pushed “record”), but the visuals were absolutely lovely.  The scents were fantastic too -- lavender AND lanolin included.Our Shetland mascot, Jane, could not have a better home with better people.  And the world is a better place because of pretty much everything connected with this little spot of heaven.Links:https://www.flyingfibers.com/https://www.shetland-sheep.org/https://sheepandwool.com/Support the show

You know how there's always someone who not only goes the extra mile, but looks good while they do it?  And does it with a genuine smile, to top it off.  That's Christine Hulse, from Hulse Hill Farm.  Just outside of Cooperstown on a little slice of heaven, this tireless woman has set up shop (and her farm shop).  She excels at all things she puts her mind to:  She runs a blissful farm stay B&B and is a hostess extraordinaire; she's a businesswoman and the co-owner of her fiber company Clean Cashmere; she's a member of the Board of Directors for the Cashmere Goat Association, and she's gracious as all heck.  And, of course, every animal on the place seems to think she's Dr. Dolittle.  Martha Stewart, look out.We've met the hubby and think he's pretty darn nice as well, but he's going to have to step lively to keep up with this one, because she's as fantastic as could be.  He probably agrees with us, we think.(And did we mention that she understands the blissful joy of organic cotton sheets, good coffee and real half and half?  Zen, defined.)Links:https://hulsehillfarm.com/https://www.cleancashmere.farm/https://cashmeregoatassociation.org/https://americangoatfederation.org/https://www.goatusa.org/Support the show

On today's podcast, transport yourself to the lonely, glorious green pastures of the eastern side of Scotland.  We have a lovely conversation with Jillian McEwen of Lunan Bay Farms, and among many of our topics, we spoke of the joys of farming on the shores of the North Sea, the differences between her Cashmere and Boer goats (two of her three varieties), some out-of-the-box ideas to diversify goat farming, and the ways goats can contribute to education.  Never thought those words might go together, right?Frankly, between Jillian's gentle Scottish brogue, the salt-laden breezes in our hair, the sun on our faces, and a very sweet and friendly Cashmere leaning in to be petted, it was sometimes hard to stay focused on the conversation, but this is one very interesting lady. Links:https://www.lunanbayfarm.com/https://cashmeregoatassociation.org/https://www.britishgoatsociety.com/about-us/breeds/cashmere/https://www.rbst.org.uk/https://sheepandwool.com/https://www.cleancashmere.farm/https://hulsehillfarm.com/https://elder-statesman.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_goathttps://www.goatusa.org/Support the show

Elara and I met Phil Pass last month on our travels in Scotland at the House of Tartan in Crieff. We struck up a conversation with him and noticed that they had a Go Fund Me campaign that said Keep Scottish Bonnets Alive in Scotland. He described what it was for and so we grabbed our camera and mics and said this is too important and you need to tell us all about this.THE STORY:We've just lost Scotland's last Bonnet production line.The one that's been making Traditional Scottish Headwear in Stewarton, East Ayrshire for the last 178 years. (That's a Yes. We've just lost the last production line making this quality product in Scotland, in the UK, or anywhere else in the World.)Stewarton itself is known as ‘the Bonnet Toun' and has been since the 1600's, so we're also losing the last Bonnet Maker in Bonnet Toun.THE PLAN:To establish a new mini factory to continue making these products in Stewarton. Where visitors to The Bonnet Factory will be able to see the hats being finished, learn about the area's history of bonnet making and buy Scottish headwear products whilst there.We are looking for your help with immediate funding to set up this new Bonnet Factory & Shop and start training some younger workers. Urgent action is needed to preserve this craft and its skills while we still have one or two highly experienced folk (albeit semi-retired) to teach them! This will not happen without you.We need help to preserve this important piece of Scotland's history; win back lost export sales and keep 'Making Bonnets in Bonnet Toun'.Now is the only chance we're going to get to keep this truly iconic Scottish Product alive. (And thank you so much to all those wonderful folk who have already given!!!)Gies a hand?Links:https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-scott...https://www.houseoftartan.comSupport the show

As we continue the Tartan & Tweed tour in the United Kingdom, Elara follows up last week's interview with Barry's partner Chris Sander. Chris takes Elara on a tour of the farm and their prized rams and ewes. Chris discusses the different colors of the Leicester Longwool and his affinity for the black color.  The group is getting ready for a couple of shows in Buck County and Dorset over the weekend. If you notice the picture of Chris, I believe they did fairly well.www.bbc.co.ukwww.llsba.co.ukwww.rbst.org.ukwww.leicesterlongwool.orgSupport the show

We're excited to announce that we're in the midst of our Tartan and Tweed Tour 2023!  The one stop we couldn't miss along the M-1 was a visit to Leicester, home of Robert Bakewell - the man who transformed agricultural practices as we know them today.Our conversation is with Barry Evans, custodian of a flock of one of the most famous examples of Robert Bakewell's efforts:  The Leicester Longwool Sheep.  Barry talks with us about the history of this breed and the organization that is dedicated to preserving it, with a (partial) list of the breeds that we can say we know and love, thanks to the Lustrous Leicester Longwool.www.bbc.co.ukwww.llsba.co.ukwww.rbst.org.ukwww.leicesterlongwool.orgSupport the show

The big UK trip is almost here, and we're prepping for the Edinburgh Castle Tattoo with a visit to the National Western Stock Show, and the Scottish Highland Cattle show.  Those bagpipes and tartans get us every time, no matter what the event.In today's podcast, we grabbed a moment in the cattle barns with Audra Hall of Clearwater Spring Highlands in Brighton, Colorado.  Audra was somewhere between the fluff and fold cycle that goes on in a mad rush before the annual show and sale.  Elara was mesmerized by the flow of Highland Cattle hair in the big barn fans (Have you ever seen the winds moving over a lush grassy plain a few months after a generous rainy season?  It was like that.).  And then bagpipes, too.  With all of that glorious color, culture and sound – well,, a more fitting preparation for next month's visit we couldn't imagine.We'll be posting all along on the trip, and we hope you join us on our adventure back to the homeland of many of our most important agricultural breeds.  What do we call it?  Tartan and Tweed Tour 2023.  The Rose and Thistle Tour.  The Borderland Bonanza.  The possibilities are endless, and we hope you send in suggestions for naming our adventure! Links:https://www.cshnaturalbeef.com/https://www.highlandcattleusa.org/default.aspxhttps://www.mshca.org/https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_breedshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091203/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112573/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1https://nationalwestern.com/ Support the show

Today we have a (Elara-has-had-too-much-coffee-and-dirt) podcast interview with Andrew Conroy, B.S., M.S., PhD, who is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, professor at the University of New Hampshire, and man who can claim way too many other accomplishments to mention here.  Dr. Conroy has wrote the book on oxen (Really.  He wrote more than one, and you can follow the link below to buy them for yourself).  On more than one continent, he is the guy that everyone mentions when someone wants to know more about how to hitch draft animals up to do something.  Please join Elara and Dr. Conroy as they talk about the good doctor's journey through a life in oxenland, and the joys of different breeds and places.  You'll have to imagine them surrounded by shady green pastures, with two curious Kerry Cattle and a very energetic young dog providing the background excitement.   Links:https://colsa.unh.edu/person/andrew-conroyhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=drew+conroy&crid=7QKW74K109WD&sprefix=drew+conroy%2Caps%2C162&ref=nb_sb_nosshttps://fulbrightscholars.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chianinahttps://extension.umn.edu/planting-forages/alfalfa-establishment-steps-maximize-yield#field-selection-703010http://milkingdevons.org/ Support the show

So first...today you'll be hearing from Anne DeRousie, a board member of the breed organization known as Red Devon USA, who also happens to be the resident history buff.  We love those. Our conversation took place on a beautiful balmy and slightly breezy day, straight from the lush green pastures of her Adventureland Farm, in the Fingerlakes region of New York State.You'll hear more from other members of Red Devon USA this year, and more about their Bowman Left, in terms of breeding selection. You'll hear about how members from all over the world are meeting up together next year on a whirlwind tour to celebrate the beefy side of the Devon genealogy; and how they've invited their Milking Devon brethren along at the end of the trail for a big meetup in Plymouth, Massachusetts next Spring. They've invited us, too, and we're planning on taking them up on the kind offer.Links:https://reddevonusa.com/node/10 https://reddevonusa.comhttps://reddevonusa.com/node/89https://www.advdevoncattle.comhttps://plimoth.orghttps://m.facebook.com/people/World-Devon-Congress-and-400-year-American-Devon-celebration/100078195616690/Support the show

In all of the mad rushing about around the country, sometimes we forget that there are some really fantastic things close to home.  This week's podcast celebrates that with a trip to nearby Ramona for the Family Farm Expo, put on by the folks at Roobeez.  As holds true to many of the critters you'll find there, this event is a combination of things.  Chicken meetup and poultry swap, sure, but also filled with little booths displaying lovelies like handcrafted soaps, fresh herbs, honey products, local winery and brewery samplers, and pretty much anything you can make or grow on a farm.  There are workshops to boot.Today we bring you a conversation with Ashley Hahn, a coordinator at Roobeez and mad scientist of a chicken breeder.  Thanks to her and her efforts at Little Lane Farm, we get to use the words “Candy corn Frizzle Polish” today.  How fun is that? Links:https://www.roobeez.com/https://www.roobeez.com/roostersrisinghttps://www.instagram.com/little_lane_farms_sd/https://www.facebook.com/p/Little_Lane_Farms_SD-100068990572491/ Support the show

Straight from the Clairmont neighborhood Garden Walk, growing maven DeLayne Harmon will join us today on our podcast to tell us more about the how one earns the title “Master Gardener.”It's a happy and sad one for us today, but especially in this month, reminders of growth and regrowth are ever-present.Happy May Day to the ladies of our lives – flowers, feathers, and family.Links:https://www.mastergardenersd.org/https://clairemontonline.com/page-18602https://www.sdfarmbureau.org/san-diego-agriculture/https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/san-diego-county/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_(United_States)https://californiawaterblog.com/2023/05/07/tulare-basin-and-lake-2023-and-their-future/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/26/californias-reappearing-tulare-lake-could-remain-for-two-years.htmlhttps://endextinctionsandiego.org/https://holidappy.com/quotes/31-Quotes-About-May-Month-of-Merriment Support the show

Today we speak with Dale Cunningham, who is the patient and personal man responsible for training the equine portion of the patrol.  Second, we have Officer Emily Herbpst, who rides a mustang and is a small but mighty person who I have the feeling “don't take no guff off a bartender.”  (Thank you, Mr. McMurtry). We got to meet them and their horses Ollie and Maverick at this year's National Western Stock Show in Denver. They were very gracious with their time to speak with us about the horses and Mounted Patrol unit.  One of the most important things that these units do is what we saw them doing in spades at the National Western this year.  They are incredibly effective goodwill ambassadors.  They make the whole idea of the police department approachable.  Young people and old, English speaking or Spanish or German, whether someone is from the city or a rural area – you name it, we saw all types of people come up and hold a hand up to the equine officers for a sniff.  They were thronged.  And with the horses there, people kind of forgot to be so reserved in front of the officers, who were all there in full gear with holstered gun and taser and pepper spray and bullet proof vests.  In many towns, policing used to be more about the guy that keeps an eye on the community, but is a part of the community, walking about doing rounds on patrol.  The officer in small towns often knew not only where you lived, but was likely to take you home to your mother for punishment if you gave him cause.  How did we ever get away from all of that?  It's kind of sad, really.  The police are supposed to be here as members of our communities, but often times all we hear about is the bad stuff. Links:https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/11/health/officer-hops-police-department-bunny-wellness/index.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuba_City,_Californiahttps://web.archive.org/web/20110615005241/http://www.farmersalmanac.com/blog/2006/10/05/the-10-best-weather-cities/https://denverpolicefoundation.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exmoor_ponyhttps://www.facebook.com/denverpolice/posts/dpd-mounted-patrol-continues-to-provide-positive-outreach-to-the-community-while/393186547414240/Support the show

This week Rick is in England filming on our upcoming docu-series Plymouth to Plymouth.  Unfortunately I couldn't go with him, as some of you may have heard that I broke my foot and had to have surgery, but I hope to get to visit there soon.He met up with John and Bonnie Hall from the American Milking Devon Cattle Association and they set out to speak with some of the farmers  about the Red Ruby Devon, which is where the Milking Devon cattle originated from in the Devon area of England.  In 1623 the King sent a young Devon bull and three heifers to the New World from Plymouth, England to what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts and the rest they say is history.This week's podcast we hear a conversation that John and Bonnie have with Sally Everton. Sally raises 10 Devons on her farm and is a member of the Devon Cattle Breeders Society. Links:https://www.redrubydevon.co.ukhttp://www.milkingdevons.orghttps://reddevonusa.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflowerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Devon_cattlehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Milking_Devonhttps://plimoth.orgSupport the show

It's the season!  Okay, so it could be many seasons, but the Easter holiday is upon us and everything is bursting with life, so we'll concentrate on the cute stuff like Spring and fluffy sheep.  And the one we have today is definitely fluffy, but only if unshorn.Today we're talking with Erin Bradt of Helder-Herdwyck Farm about the Herdwick Sheep.  This sturdy little creature has a different look, a perpetual smile, and some serious survival creds.  Viking lore, Beatrix Potter, the National Trust, the beauties of The Lake District and more are connected to this breed over in Jolly Old England.  We met up with Erin at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, where she is doing her part to bring attention to this fascinating animal.  Establishing a new breed on this continent is no small thing, and we tip our collective cap to her.We'll bring you more on this animal and others this Summer, straight from their homeland.  Stay tuned, because after years of saving and hoping, Backyard Green Films is going to trace some of our favorite heritage breeds to their source in person this time - British style. Links:http://helderherdwyckfarm.com/index.htmlhttp://www.helderherdwyckfarm.com/our-american-herdwick.htmlhttps://www.herdwick-sheep.com/https://sheepandwool.com/https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/nature-and-landscapes/national-parks/mountain-ranges-waleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wooly_Willyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herdwickhttps://www.rbst.org.uk/watchlist-overviewhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Herriothttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/britain-lake-district-immortalized-beatrix-potter-beloved-landscape-180968736/Support the show

In honor of Spring, lambing season and all things herding, today we're welcoming Tayen Albrandt and Willow the Border Collie to our podcast.  It's only fitting to return the favor, since we met them when Willow did a stint as the door greeter at the Event Center during the National Western stock dog trials.  Tayen and Willow spoke with us for a quick moment before their cattle herding moment in the sun (Okay so it was freezing snow, but you know what we mean).  Willow was not only extremely well behaved during the entire interview, but kept watch on every noise, movement, and emotion in the entire busy room, all from her perch on a very high chair.  It was like sitting next to a very sweet and friendly radar dish, without the blipping part.  These two intelligent young people have a bright future, and hopefully many more NWSS trials to come (okay, so they're not both people, but this breed is smarter than the average human, so we're going to give them that). Links:https://livestockentry.nationalwestern.com/results/308/stock-dog-intermediate-cattle-trial?custom_result_or_division=Division&custom_result_or_division_id=155https://nationalcattledog.com/national-western-cattledog-trial-2022/https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/border-collie/http://www.bordercolliesociety.com/https://www.bordercolliesociety.com/akc-standard/https://www.britannica.com/animal/caninehttps://bordercolliehealth.com/smooth-coat-border-collie/https://www.frommfamily.com/r/12807Support the show

We hail our friend, the tireless vetA humbler man we've never metAnd praise he'll very rarely get From cow or sheep or avocetJohn Ewing is the dear man's nameThe Stock Show is his claim to fame(And cheetahs and some real wild game)But fields a fearsome rugby game We leave you with this kindly man(with bison he has also ran)We now are veterinary fansThe whole darn agri-Culture clanLinks:https://nationalwestern.comhttps://bisoncentral.comSupport the show

Jim Matheson, Executive Director of the National Bison Association, took a few moments to speak with us during the Buffalo and the Bison loadouts (No, we're just being goofy – both are now accepted in common speech, as you'll hear).  We don't know if he knows Ted Turner, but he does know his marketing stuff, and is a great representative of this wild and wooly breed of livestock.  They might seem like the new kids on the block in the world of protein, but they've been on this continent longer than any of us newcomers.  The general human population is only now discovering the health and land-regenerative benefits of this awe-inspiring creature.  Join us for a conversation on the chilly grounds of the Event Center at the 2023 National Western Stock Show.   Links:https://bisoncentral.com/bison-perfected-by-nature/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bisonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_bison#cite_note-10https://www.tedturner.com/2017/07/bison-enthusiasts-gather-ted-turners-ranch/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heaviest_land_mammalshttps://www.explore.org/livecams/currently-live/plains-bison-grasslands-national-park-cam-1https://www.explore.org/livecams/currently-live/plains-bison-grasslands-national-park-cam-3https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=buffalo#B5544800https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/its-bison-not-buffalo-and-other-american-bison-factswww.nationaltoday.com (for bison month)www.dakotabuffalo.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bisonSupport the show

There were many exciting things at this year's National Western Stock Show, but one of the highlights was the group meeting up on the side pens of the Event Center.  The Bison people were there in force, and the critters they came with stole the show, even if it was 25 degrees and snowing.  Especially since it was that cold, because in the frigid air the already impressive and feisty beasts were breathing out steam from their nostrils like something out of The Hobbit.  Today, we're sharing a conversation we had with Chad Kremer, President of the National Bison Association, Herd Manager for Custer State Park in South Dakota, long-time bison ranch owner, and title holder of the National Western's Most Interesting Mustache.  He was also a super nice guy, and a true representative of All Things Good about South Dakota.  After speaking with him, it looks like another roundup might be in our filming future -- Buffalo style, so it looks like we're going back.Done with capitals yet?  Wild, Wooly, and Untamed.  With that, we'll put our foot down (but gently)(And as a side note – how many people can legitimately say they're president of the NBA?  How cool is that?) Links:www.kremerbuffalo.comhttps://kremerbuffalo.com/blog/https://www.nps.gov/articles/15-facts-about-bison.htmhttps://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/https://gfp.sd.gov/buffalo-roundup/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bisonhttps://www.fws.gov/about/region/mountain-prairiehttps://bisoncentral.com/https://www.nps.gov/articles/15-facts-about-bison.htmhttps://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/American-Bisonhttps://www.rei.com/blog/camp/yes-there-are-still-bison-in-america-heres-where-to-see-them Support the show

We're back from the National Western Stock Show, and we thought we'd exit January with mules (no…backside-of-things jokes today, though it was tempting).  Mules are some of our favorite animals, and not just because they have names like “50 Shades of Foxy.”  The aptly-named Foxy and her owner Tabitha Holland of Signature Equine take a moment to bring 50% horse, 50% donkey and 120% of gorgeous muleness out of the stall to speak with us about the combinations that make life wonderful.  We'll be talking more about the glories of blending strengths this year, so stay tuned.  It's gonna be an exciting year! Links:www.signatureequine.comhttps://nationalwesterncomplex.com/https://nationalwestern.com/https://www.resynergyfoundation.org/https://americangoatfederation.org/http://milkingdevons.org/https://www.ctlc.org/http://www.valaisblacknosesheepsociety.org/https://www.savingsuffolks.comhttps://sheepandwool.comSupport the show

Today, we're speaking with Christy, who is an old friend of mine. This podcast came into being, because last October, Christy and her son Luke met up with us in Rhinebeck for the New York State Sheep and Wool festival.  On one of the evenings when we lifted our tired feet off the floor, we had a conversation about taxes and accounting, as often happens, and it migrated into the joys of the Schedule F – Farm Income, and went from there. I hope today's content is a little bit interesting even to those of you who do NOT actually file a farm return, because it turns out that climate issues, drought, and economic pricing unsurely are not the only challenges in agriculture. You have to deal with retirement issues in ways many others don't.Links:https://www.irs.govhttps://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs-search?search=Fhttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990sf.pdfhttps://www.halterproject.orgSupport the show

Thank you to all who tune into our podcast and for supporting us!Support the show

Well as you might know (or maybe not), Elara does let me get out on my own every once in a while. This past Fall, my brother and I went on a cross country road trip from San Diego, CA to Rhinebeck, NY.  We were headed back to New York to film the NY Sate Sheep and Wool Festival and I thought it would be great to do a brothers road trip. My brother has not gotten to see much of the west and so I wanted him to see some of this great country's sites. There are many that we visited from Yellowstone, Tetons, The Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, SD, and Devils Tower.  As we were driving through South Dakota we saw a sign for the World's Only Corn Palace, so we looked at each other and said we've got to check this place out.  It's located in Mitchell, SD and also happens to be the hometown of Senator George McGovern, who by the way was instrumental in the creation of the United Nations-run World Food Program. As we walked in to look around, I said to my brother that we need to get an interview about this place and find out its history. There we were connected to Doug Greenway, the director of the Corn Palace and he was gracious enough to give us a few minutes of his time and to give us brief run down of this buildings origin.Links:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_Palacehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_McGovernhttps://cornpalace.comhttps://sheepandwool.comSupport the show