Big Changes

Recently, the headmaster of Stoney Heights Academy (that would be David) and the lead instructor (that would be me) had an end-of-the-year meeting to discuss the students' progress and the school atmosphere.  It was decided that the lead instructor needed to scale back her other job as Manager of Stoney Heights Farm so as to give the students more time.  This will be particularly necessary next school year, with a new second grader (who will have over twice as many school subjects as he did as a first grader).  The first grader needs more one on one time.  The preschooler is itching to be a kindergardener, and while he could wait another year, he could also give it a shot next year, too.  The youngest member of our school would like to start her potty training lessons.

So, we've decided that for the next several years, Stoney Heights Farm needs to require less maintenance, particularly through the school year.  We will likely push forward with gardening, since that's primarily a summer activity.  We will keep the chickens, because they're easy.  The goats will be sold.  Yes, you heard me correctly. 

We love our goats and the milk they give, but dairy is a labor intensive endeavor.  The goats are beginning to pay for themselves, but in order for them to turn a profit, we'd have to be even larger and that's not something we have the time to do.  I am spending at least 2 hours each day doing the morning chores and David spends another 2 hours on the evening chores.  Then there's the hoof trimming, barn cleaning, shaving... all necessary things that take time.  Time that we have too little of as it is.

One day, when the children are older and can offer more help, we will likely have goats again.  It is a bug that has bitten us and I'm sure the infection is life-long.  We may decide to do meat/brush goats when the other pasture is fenced, just because they're not as labor intensive, we've got a lot of grass to mow, and we love the meat. 

I will miss the interaction with my herd share customers.  I pray they are able to find a source of clean good milk.  I pray we will find a source of clean good milk.  I will do some experimenting with almond and coconut milk...

So, I've recently taken photos of all the goats, and will post a link here:  https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.10150181931713458.306947.145963163457

Some of them have several photos.  I will list prices soon.