I am not sure, but I think I missed Spring?  I vaguely remember some pretty flowers and a few spring showers, but wow, has it gotten hot and dry fast this year.  It's only May and I already have to turn the sprinkler on for the garden.  I hope that Mother Nature gets her act together and we see a bit more rain and temperatures that are more inline with the time of year.  I know.....wishful thinking. 

   The best thing about this time of year is "The Farmer's Market is Opening!"  That's right!  This Saturday, May 5th, 8:30 - Noon at the Robertson County Fair Grounds is our first Farmer's Market of the season.  Join us!  We'll have fresh homemade bread, herbal jellies, goat's milk soap, eggs, chicken, and more......

   The other morning while taking care of the animals, a group of geese decided that my little farm pond looked like a nice place to take a break from flying.  They only stayed about an hour and Sonny & Cher, my ducks, were very happy to see them leave.  I know that Sonny was saying "this pond ain't big enough for all of us!" 

     I never realized just how curious cows can be.  Everytime I drive my little UTV into the pasture, Josie & Clarabell have to come and inspect it for me.  Really, they are just checking to see what they can steal.  Clarabell grabbed a pair of garden gloves off the seat the other day and seemed to take pleasure in me chasing her to get them back. 

     We have several classes in the month of May for those of you interested in attending.  Pre-registration is required.  (You can email us for more details)

May 5th:  Growing Herbs; 1:00 - 3:00, $20.00

May 19th:  Raising Goats; 1:00 - 5:00, $40.00

May 26th: Preserving the Harvest (Beginning Canning) $65.00

   Some of you might remember when Tractor Supply did a photo-shoot at our farm.  We had a great time with the photographer and crew; all around, it was a great experience.  If you'd like to see one of the photo's, check out Tractor Supply's website (click here).  Yep, that is me and our grandson Tyler.  Tyler's grown quite a bit since then, but it was fun to see the picture.

     I am not sure if I have introduced you to Chrissy.  Chrissy adopted us right before Christmas.  She is the sweetest little dog.  She chases rabbits all day, or at least until it gets to hot, or is rainning, or is too cold...you get the point.  She is a fair-weather rabbit hunter.  She really loves to find a bale of hay and take a long nap. 

Finally, don't forget that Mother's Day is May 13th.  If you need a special gift, we'd be happy to put together a basket for you with our Goat's Milk Soap, lotion, herbal products, and bath products.  Just call or email us!

   Have a GREAT Day!

The Staff of Hidden Springs Farms

We added our first Nubian goat to the farm at Christmas time 2009.  Gwendolyn, as we named her, turned out to be the best addition.  We benefit from her fresh milk and make cheese, soap, and lotion.  Gwen was such a big hit, that we've since added more Nubians and purcahsed a young buck. 

  We have some great kids this year.  So far we are upto 7. We have one doeling for sale.  It's Gwen's daughter.  She'll be ready for a new home in June.  And, one little buckling for sale as well.  Email us for details

We love to talk about goats! Give us a call and schedule a time to visit our farm. We'd be happy to answer your questions or just give you a tour of our farm.

If you have never walked through a herb garden and smelled the wonderful aroma of fresh basil, rosemary, and lavender, you are missing a special treat. Cooks have used fresh and dried herbs for centuries to add unique aromas and flavors their meals. At Hidden Springs Farm our herb garden continually expands. Each year we add new herbs to our garden so that we can bring you the best fresh herbs available. During the growing season, we take time to harvest and dry many of our herbs so that you can enjoy them year round. And, our herbal products are the prefect gift to give or use yourself. We sell our products at the local farmer's market and through our website.  Our herbal products include: herbal teas, bath teas, dream pillows, home-made soaps, dried herbs, and more.   Our newest products include:

Gardener's Salve:  prefect for use after working in the garden to soothe those dry, tired hands. 

Lavender Salve:  we love lanvender!  And, our lavender salve is awesome for dry skin while it relaxes the senses.

We also offer free downloads to you.  Our first download, "Building a Cold Frame" is available for free by clicking here.  Check back often for new downloads.

Our livestock is guarded by our Anatolian Shepherds, Emma, Trooper, and Little Girl.  Anatolian Shepherds come from the Turkish Anatolian Plateau and can be found across that region into Afghanistan.  The Anatolian was bred as a livestock guardian (not a herding dog) and will happily live his or her life in constant association with sheep or goats, horses, chickens, turkeys and children.  They are fiercely loyal and very intelligent with a long memory. 

 Because of their size and possessive attitude toward family, property and livestock it is important that  Anatolians be well socialized.  Adult male Anatolians will weigh in at 100-150 lbs., while females will weigh 80-120 lbs.

  Our Anatolian Shepherds are not pets.  They are working dogs and keep our livestock safe from coyotes, foxes, domestic dogs, and more. 

This is Emma, Our Female

This is Trooper, our male

    Sorry, I am a few days late getting our newsletter out.  This time of year there is always more work to get done then there are hours in the day.  There is so much happening that I find it hard to find the time to get on the computer. Plus, it is more fun to watch the new babies.  

    We have lots of new babies on the farm right now.  Bitty finally had her calf.  A handsome little boy that we call Pete.  He was born March 14th in the afternoon.  I'd love to tell you that I watched him being born but I was working and then running outside to check on Bitty every hour.  I got there just as she delivered him.  This is Bitty's first calf and it took her a bit to figure out what she was suppose to do with him, but they worked it out and he is growing like a weed.  He will be bigger then Hannah, our Angus bottle heifer in no time at all.

   The Nubian girls are also delivering:  Olivia had a single buck who's our grandson named "Aiden".  Isabell had a single doeling that he named "Amelia"  (his girlfriend's name in pre-school)  Gracie had twins, a buck and a doe, that we named "Anna & Albert".  And Daisy had twin girls.....that we didn't name because they have already been sold.  Gwendolyn is next in line to deliver so we still have more to come.  Check out Anna & Albert.  Albert is awesome with all of his spots and Anna is just a sweetie. 

     We also have baby chickens but we try not to get real friendly with them since they will end up in the freezer.  They are a noisy group and will be heading out on the pasture in about a week once they have all of their feathers.  There is plenty of clover, grass, and bugs for them to enjoy.  The laying hens are already laying eggs like crazy and one of the girls has decided this year that she is going to hatch some eggs.  We'll see how she does in the next few days.  Once the Farmer's Market starts, I don't let any of the girls hatch any eggs...we have customers that like to get them. 

    Ken has been busy, busy working in the woods.  He has planted over 300 trees this year.  The wildlife on our farm is very lucky.  He has created nice trails for them, brush piles where they can bed down, and the new trees will provide shelter, food, and more for them. 

     Now, BIG NEWS!  We have passed our final inspection and now have our Domestic Kitchen license.  That means that this year at the Farmer's Market we will have homemade breads and jellies.  We will be offering:

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Herbal Artisian Bread

Basil & Sage Bread

Zucchini Bread

Herbal & Fruit Jellies

 It has been a long time coming but we are excited to be able to offer these items this year in addition to our other favorites like fresh herbs, garlic, pastured-raised chickens, eggs, and of course, our wonderful Goat's Milk Soap.  The Farmer's Market is just around the corner!

   We are in the process of expanding our goat's milk soap business.  You can help and read about our expansion by clicking here:  Spread the word! 

    We have a couple classes coming up this month that you might be interested in:

Raising Chickens Workshop:  April 21st, 10:00 - 12:30, just $35.00

Growing Herbs Workshop: May 5th, 1:00 - 3:00

 Our Soap-making classes are already booked for April but we do have a few spaces left in our May 22nd class (6:30 - 8:30 pm) and June 2nd class (1:00 - 3:00)  If you are interested in attending any of our classes, just email us and we'll get you registered. 

   This hot weather has not been helpful to our cooler season veggies but the broccoli, cabbage, and snow peas are trying.  It is hard to believe it is already in the 80's.  Kind of makes you wonder what summer is going to bring.......

    Happy Easter!!!

The Staff of Hidden Springs Farms

  Registration is required.  $40.00 per person

Registration is required.  $20.00 per person.

Just $35.00 per person.  Registration is required.