|
About
SkyLines
Farm
Handspinning
Fleeces
Prepared
Fibers
SkyLines
Philosophy
Management
Practices
Photo
of theDay-Week-Month
Links
&
Resources
Contact
SkyLines
HOME
|
|
What we
do
SkyLines
Farm carefully breeds quality Romneys and select
Romney-cross sheep. These pampered animals produce exquisite
natural-colored and white handspinning fleeces that are
lustrous, clean, extra soft, and a joy to spin. (Visit the
Handspinning Fleeces pages to learn more about
SkyLines fleeces.)
UPDATE
Beginning in 2006 I added beef steers and feeder pigs to the operation, caring for them
using the same sustainable management practices and attention to detail that the sheep were receiving.
In 2013 I sold
the sheep portion of the business and
greatly expanded the grassfed beef and pastured pig operations.
My
personal goal: Try to care for these gentle
creatures and the land itself with
wisdom, intelligence and
compassion.
|
|
|
My
goal for SkyLines Farm sheep: Carefully breed and nurture
happy, healthy, strong sheep, growing premium
handspinning fleeces that are "full of life."
(Update: We no longer coat any of our
sheep.)
|
How
we do it
The
natural method
Avoiding the use of chemicals whenever possible is a guiding
principle at SkyLines Farm - in raising the animals, in
growing their hay, in tending my personal gardens, and in
caring for the land in general. Nature's miracle herb garlic
figures heavily in the management plan, and many of
the animals have even come to like it!
Rotational
grazing
Intensive rotational grazing is a major factor in
eliminating the use of chemicals. The animals graze pastures
intensively for short periods of time, and then they are
moved to fresh grass, leaving the former pasture free to
rest and regrow. Portable electric fencing has made this
possible. (The Management Practices pages provide
more detail on these and other management
practices.)
It's
working!
I've been raising sheep, beef, pigs & horses this way since 1992, and the result
is a family of contented animals that birth easily, have
virtually no health problems, and sheep that grow fleeces that are
"full of life."
|
The
gentle guardians
A team of Great Pyrenees dogs and a donkey named
Peaches do a wonderful job of protecting the animals
from coyotes and other predators.
Visit the Management Practices pages to
learn more about the predator issue and the gentle
guardians who watch over SkyLines Farm.
Right, the Great
Pyrenees dogs King and young Emily love guarding
their animals, but they keep a close eye on each
other too.
|
|
|
|
Where we
are
SkyLines
Farm is located in remote northern Idaho, 30 miles from the
small town of Moscow, which is home to the University of
Idaho.
SkyLines Farm's 63 acres
lie about halfway between the rolling wheat country of
eastern Washington - called the Palouse - and the densely
forested mountains of Idaho's St. Joe National Forest. The
farm is a lovely mix of fertile hayfield, lush pastures, and
cool green forestland. The farm's name was inspired by the
remarkable skylines that frame the view from every angle
(combined with my own last name, of course!).
The
joys of telecommuting
In addition to being head shepherdess of SkyLines Farm, I
also work occasionally as a freelance writer and editor. I'm
very fortunate to be able to telecommute from my farm/home
office, which means I can do my writing work with one eye on
the computer screen and the other on the sheep grazing
outside my office window. Life is good . . .
Thanks!
Thank
you for visiting this site, I hope you find it informative,
useful, and maybe even a tiny bit inspiring. Check back
again soon, as I'll continue to add information about
sustainable agriculture practices, wool and wool products,
and the sheep who make it all possible.
Melissa
SkyLines
Farm 4551 Highway 6 Harvard, ID 83834
Purebred Romney & Romney-Cross
Sheep
|
|
