Studio Hill

A 4th-generation family farm in Vermont raising lamb, chickens, and heritage turkeys on pasture using regenerative farming methods.

[studiohillvt]

Today was a strange one. It was warm and sunny, so the kids and I were outside for about 8 hours of the day—and we were all happier for it. * In the evening we found out that the school closures would continue through the end of the year. I know there are so many people who are being impacted by this situation in deeper ways, but nevertheless, this is a big change in our small world. * When you live on a farm, in an isolated place, school is where you get to be with other kids, try new things, and take a break from your mother’s unyielding hippie nonsense. (“Interesting! Let me answer YOUR question with a question...”) * Also, there’s big wheels, floor hockey, and cheez-its. * I know everything will be ok in the long run. I know my grandparents lived through the depression, and wars, and much more. * But tonight, I’m going to let myself feel sad about this. Childhood is short, and I’m sorry for my kids to miss a chunk of the most playful and silliest time of their school years. We feel so blessed to be able to drop our kids off in places with caring, funny, kind, inquisitive grownups, and lots of friends. * In the morning, I’ll go outside with them again, and I know I’ll feel the bright side of all of this. Much love to you all out there, trying to adapt to what we can not control. ❤️🌎🌻 https://jmcd.me/2Un0vb1

[studiohillvt]

And now, a daily diversion of clear skies, still mountains, and munching sheep, with full bellies.🌞 https://jmcd.me/2wtpqAz

[studiohillvt]

It’s been interesting to visit the grocery store in the last couple of weeks. Like most places, our supermarket is perpetually out of toilet paper, but do you know what other section is bought out as soon as it’s filled? The natural meats. —————- Jesse and I have been talking about how to plan for this coming season, and we’ve just put up our order form for whole chickens. You can order 15, 25, or 50, to fill your freezer. This year, for every order received, we’ll raise 5 extra birds for local food banks. To learn more, visit the “Regenerative Food” section of our website: https://jmcd.me/3bgGLv8 ————— We're now taking orders for the summer batches of our pasture-raised chicken. Fill your freezer for the winter of 2020 by placing a bulk order for our pasture-raised, chemical-free, regenerative, uncertified organic broiler whole chickens. * These flavorful and nutritious Freedom Ranger chickens are raised in our regenerating, holistically-managed pastures throughout the growing season. They eat a rich, diverse, and natural diet of grasses, clovers, insects, and local regenerative organic grain. https://jmcd.me/3bkkyfO

[studiohillvt]

I was having a low day, and this image of my three year daughter lifted me up. * The unknown is scary. It’s ok to take turns being brave. Today, I’m following her. https://jmcd.me/2J9JSZD

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What she lacks in legs, she makes up for in ears! Farm dog Mischa, leads the way to the hayfields, followed by Head Shepherdess, Miranda, on the green machine. https://jmcd.me/3b61e5O

[studiohillvt]

Despite the overwhelming nature of the global news, the small world of the farm continues on, mostly unchanged for the moment. Last week the sheep left their winter paddocks, and moved out onto the hay fields to start another season of holistic planned grazing. We still have some snow at the higher elevations—maybe you can see it on the mountains behind the sheep, but down in the valley it has all melted away. In these early days of the season--when the grass isn't growing but the water tanks won't freeze on the field--we are using the bale unroller to feed out out round bales on the hay fields. In a perfect winter feeding system, the sheep would eat the round bales on the same fields where the hay grew. That way, the biomass generated in one spot would be eaten, digested, and have its nutrients returned to the ground, re-enriching the soil in that area. For the moment, we need to use our winter paddocks with permanent fencing and heated water buckets for the coldest and snowiest months of the year. But we are always chasing the ideal of a continuous, upward spiraling ecosystem. One where water, nutrients, and carbon, all intertwine into a state of abundance humans have all but forgotten is our planet’s very nature. https://jmcd.me/2TRQqm5

[studiohillvt]

UPDATE //// Someone jumped on this quickly—and it’s now booked. ///////////////////// Hey folks! We just had a cancellation in the Schoolhouse for Valentines weekend! * If anyone is looking for a winter getaway with with a view, (from the hot tub too), head over to Airbnb and check it out! (Extreme photo talent from the incomparable @steph.rapo !!) * airbnb.com/h/studio-hill-schoolhouse-vermont https://jmcd.me/379Nzco

[studiohillvt]

Egg Vault: Access granted 🥚🥚 https://jmcd.me/2tzZMs3

[studiohillvt]

We said farewell to 2019 with a bonfire that we lit up, as the snow came down. I don’t remember the last New Year’s where I actually made it to midnight, but it was well worth it. * We’re ready to embrace the next year with more intention, and less reaction. More reflection and fewer distractions. * May this next decade at the farm be a little slower, and less eventful than the last, but still anchored by purpose. 🌎🐑✨ https://jmcd.me/2QRDUA8

[studiohillvt]

The sheep and I have talked it over, and we’d much prefer the recent two feet of snow, to the monsoon and mud week that followed. These creatures are remarkably well adapted to winter conditions when it’s cold and dry. But everything changes when you combine cold and wet. Looks like we’re back in the clear after tomorrow. https://jmcd.me/38IzUKG

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A little Schoolhouse magic from @steph.rapo . Short days outside make for long cozy nights in the cabin ✨ https://jmcd.me/38lFeDf

[studiohillvt]

Ten degrees here this morning with sparkling snow, but @wingandaprayerfarm delivered us a sweet taste of summertime to brighten the breakfast table. We have a big, wild rhubarb jungle here at the farm, and Tammy and Char harvested a bunch of it in June and just returned some to us in pie form. Pie-nomics people! It’s a better way! * Thanks @wingandaprayerfarm and @cranberryhobbit ! 🥧🌱 https://jmcd.me/351Wc7D

[studiohillvt]

Hello December. We’ve got a big snow storm forecasted for the next few days. Jesse spent yesterday picking up all of the piles, equipment, and stray tools, that have been hanging around the farm all summer and fall throughout project season. The plow and sander are on the tractor. The sheep have been notified. Here we go. https://jmcd.me/2LbzuCq

[studiohillvt]

Thankful is how I’m feeling these days. Not because things have been easy, or effortless, but because of the people who are around me when difficult things happen. * The people in our lives make all of the difference. They can drain you and fill you with doubt, or they can lift you up and help you believe that anything is possible. * Here are a few of the people I’m most thankful for this year. Three strong, kind, funny, untamed women, of various sizes. * The taller two both broke their dominant hands within a week of each other this fall, and continued to show up to work unphased, hauling water buckets, wrangling sheep, and driving tractors one-handed. The shortest, and youngest one is eager to help when she sees someone carrying a heavy load. She’s learning from watching these women, that people can be a wonderful mix traits which no longer need be contradictions—strong and sensitive, quiet and outspoken, brave and loving. * I’m grateful that these people are everyday parts of my life, and for how they are all woven together through the life of the farm. Thank you H, M, and Iz for helping me carry all sorts of heavy things around here—including metaphors. And for keeping me laughing out my nose while we do it. * What (or who) have you been grateful for this year? https://jmcd.me/34tjtPR

[studiohillvt]

The amazing @steph.rapo took this photo last winter, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. Thank you, Steph for finding all that color, light, and magic in the night sky up at the Schoolhouse! * (As I was typing this and staring at the picture, my 5 year asked, “why are you smiling like that???”, to which I said, “Take a look!”) https://jmcd.me/2XGSAoZ

[studiohillvt]

Usually, all of the hens walk themselves into the coop in early evening and we close the door behind them for the night. Though sometimes, we find a straggler and have to cajole them out of a comically inaccessible hiding place, and drag them off to bed. And other times... the straggler’s hiding spot is so good, that that they stay out all night, in the cold, with no one to roost next to. And when the sun rises, they feel a little humbled, and don’t mind at all when Miranda comes to the rescue, with a bowl of kitchen scraps, and open arms. https://jmcd.me/338AvAZ

[studiohillvt]

We had our first dusting of snow last week, but it felt like real winter showed up rather suddenly this morning—and happened all over the sheep. * More snow day pics to come... https://jmcd.me/2QxQG8w