The sheep moving out onto spring grass

Hello Friends from Leyden Glen Farm!

A quick note to you all today. Farmer Mark had his second hip replaced last Wednesday. He was home from the hospital in a day and since has been resting, doing a bit of PT and generally going stir crazy because he has to sit still. He is sitting up and moving around a bit with a walker. We hope he heals quickly but not too quick so that he injures himself. He has been sitting on the porch - watching the sheep graze. He is trying to stay calm and focused on the healing but I know it is driving him crazy inside.

Mark has discovered YouTube farming videos. This channel is one of his favorites. It features a Mum named Sarah and her son named Rufus and chronicles the adventures on their farm in the UK. Check out their introductory video here.

I have a couple people helping me out feeding the animals and doing tractor work until he can get back to his normal chores. So far there has been one sheep breakout but they are all back in where they are supposed to be. Luckily some neighbors helped me get them back in.

I will be at the Amherst Farmers Market tomorrow from 7:30 to 1:30. Hope to see some of you there. We have just delivered some ground lamb and cuts to Simple Gifts Farm in Amherst and Greenfields Market in Greenfield.

I will leave you with some weekend reading about sheep and lamb:
• From Saveur, an article about how "eating more lamb could change the future of Appalachia." I have my doubts but it is a nice though.
• The Royals Kate and Wills sheared themselves a couple sheep this past week. Watch the videos here.
• An article in Fast Company about the newest trend - not washing your clothes. And do you know what fiber these clothes are made of that don't need to be washed? Wool from Merino sheep that grow very fine fibers. Interesting.

Hope to see some of you tomorrow at the Amherst Farmers Market on the Common. As always, we thank you for the support of our farm and family.

Your shepherds,
Mark, Kristin and Julia
Phone 413-774-6514
email: kristinnicholas@gmail.com

A preview of our colorful home and farm including drone footage of the sheep, The Farmer and his dog.