The sheep that keep on giving
Here at BOTL Farm, you may recall that we used to raise sheep (if you're new here, we had a flock of Icelandic sheep for years). However, at the end of 2024 we decided to move away from sheep and focus on growing our goat herd. We agonized over the decision, but it was the right choice for us at the time. Anyhow, it has been 16 months since our last sheep harvest. The meat has long run out but we still have freezers of lamb bone broth that should get us through this summer’s market season.
But, we have one more sheepy-thing up our sleeve: our last batch of sheepskins. We dropped them off at the very fancy natural tannery we work with in December 2024. The tannery aims for a 6-month turnaround which normally stretches to more like 9-13 months, and sure enough, we just heard that they’re ready. Perfect.
We made our yearly trip up to the tannery in Vermont to pick them up. We’re keeping some for ourselves because we’ll never (farmers should never say never) make any more. Stop by our farm store to see (and/or buy) them for yourself. Also, we made some goatskins.
Buckets of all sizes but mostly 5 gallon
Back when we were baby farmers volunteering at our farm mentor’s operation in NJ, we were over at their farm often enough that we occasionally witnessed farm/marital spats. One that really stuck with us went a bit like this:
Primary Farmer (PF): Where are my [expletive] buckets?
Secondary Farmer (SF): I took one bucket from the hose area to feed the far group of pigs. It’s by the pigs.
PF: I can’t believe you moved my buckets!
SF: I had to farm for the day because you were busy doing something else. I moved a bucket where it made sense for me.
PF: Wrong! That was a water bucket and it can’t be used for feed. I can’t believe you [expletive] used it for [expletive] feed. You’re the worst. [Expletive]
SF: ???
Okay, maybe there weren't that many expletives, but this particular exchange stuck in our minds because it was vehement. We were befuddled as to why the location of buckets mattered so much and why it was such an emotionally charged topic.
Many years later, we totally get it. The location, use, and designated type of buckets is deadly serious business. This past month, we had a small-scale version of the fight above because someone moved my bucket, except we both went into it knowing how contentious bucket politics are. We’re totes still married.
Now that we’re about ten years into farming, our buckets are cracking, warping, down to bare metal handles (those comfort plastic handles are long gone), and generally falling apart. The amount of thought we have given to the size and functionality of the bottom lip of a bucket is bonkers. When you’re lifting and pouring the bucket, that lip is essential. We could go on for paragraphs about buckets. We’ll resist. Suffice it to say, if you want to really treat the livestock farmer in your life real nice, you’ll gift them a new, shiny (are new buckets shiny? We don’t remember) five gallon bucket. Trust us, it’ll make their day. Also, don’t ever move their buckets. Ever.
We are not professional soap makers (except we are)
We often get hung up on how to classify and define things. For example, what makes one a professional soap maker? We’ve made lard soap for ourselves for years, often in large batches (as pig farmers, we have lots of lard). Then we noticed we could sell most of the batch, use the rest, and just make soap more often. That said, we’re not particularly gifted soap makers but we’re not trying to be. We want to make a basic soap that doesn’t have oatmeal flakes, caraway seeds, milk (of any species), jojoba, shea butter, soy, parabens, or dyes. Soap that’s simple, has simple ingredients, and does what soap should do: makes you clean and fresh.
When we make soap, we use our lard, lye, and coconut oil. Okay, we just made fun of soaps that use exotic ingredients, but all-lard soap won’t foam and we do want our soap to have a bit of foam. So, fine. We use coconut oil. One of us [Nick] is threatening to make an all-lard version of our soap so ya’ll have options. We’ll see. Also, our liquid soap concentrate (which we don’t have much left) is only lard and lye.
Anyway, we recently made some new batches of soap and it went pretty badly. It reminded us that we might not be “professionals.” We’ve made some corrections and the soap is totally functional, but the bar size is all over the place. Like, wow. So we’re now selling soap by the pound (weight) instead of by the bar (piece).
Don't forget: New farm store hours
As of now, our farm store hours have changed. We no longer have Tuesday hours. Wednesday is the new Tuesday a la BOTL Farm. Our new hours (below in the Find Us section as well):
Every Wednesday noon - 2pm
Every Saturday 1 - 3pm
Coincidentally, our Primary Farmer (PF) will be out of town for the first week of Feb, so Secondary Farmer (SF) will be filling in. Go easy on SF while she’s in charge, and don’t show up Tuesday, show up Wednesday. Everyone will have a nice time (including PF who will be living his best double-conference life!).
Find Us
On farm store: New hours (now closed Tuesdays and open Wednesdays): Every Wednesday noon - 2pm, every Saturday 1 - 3pm. Pre-order
On farm self pickup: Every day 8am - 8pm. Pre-order only
Wooster Square Winter Market, New Haven CT: This market runs every Saturday from 10am - 1pm until the end of March. We will be there every other week (mostly). Dates we’ll be there in February: February 14 and February 21. Pre-order
Sturbridge Monthly Winter Dropoff, Sturbridge MA: This is a once-a-month dropoff starting October and ending February. Location is Deep Roots Distillery in the old mill building at 559 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA. The February dropoff date is February 07 (last one of the season). Pickup hours are noon - 8pm. Pre-order only
Ask a Farmer Anything, Virtual Question Sessions: Monday February 09 from 7:30 - 8:30 pm and Friday February 26 8 - 9 am. Registration free but required
It's too many dates! Save me!
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