Finding locally sourced food has been a mission for me. I love connecting myself and others this way. Not everyone can get out to visit these farms but at least through these posts, you can get a glimpse of the operation.
Blessing Way Pastures is my most recent farm visit. This farm is the first farm I have visited to have raw dairy and wool; they also have pasture-raised eggs. Let’s take a look at the farm.
Blessing Way Pastures was conceived in 2013 when Laurie and Angel moved to the country to get started on fulfilling their dream of a simpler life (not so sure farming is a simpler life as many farmers would agree). The farm is located in east central Minnesota about 45 minutes from the north Twin cities metro.
Upon arriving at the farm, I drove the paved driveway and saw the sheep leisurely enjoying their pasture and then came upon the most adorable chicken coop near the house.
Sheep
Angel and I donned our rubber boots to head out to the sheep pastures (rubber boots are a necessity when visiting farms for obvious reasons). As we entered the pasture, the sheep definitely recognize their shepherdess, myself they were not so sure about. The sheep were scattered throughout the pasture until Angel began clapping her hands. At this moment, the entire flock came running to her at which time she begins to greet and pet them. Some were curious about me, I was accepted once I too began to pet them. It was a really cool thing to watch them all come running. Their flock started with 3 adults and 6 babies and has now grown to 47! The breeds they combine are Cotswold, Blue-faced Leicester, and Lincoln Longwool. The flock is rotated daily to fresh pasture which regenerates the soil while giving the animals fresh food. They were very happy sheep.
Shearing the sheep happens a couple of times a year. If you would like to experience a traditional sheep shearing event, the farm does host an event for this. Shearing is complete for 2019, but you can check out their site early next year for the next event. I hope to make it out next year.
The farm offers several products of wool, you can check that out here.
Dairy
Like I mentioned earlier, this was my first farm to offer raw dairy. Through my GAPS Practitioner training, l learned about the health promoting properties of raw dairy, especially when properly cultured into things like yogurt and kefir. I did purchase both milk and cream this day. I made yogurt out of the milk, which by the way is the best homemade yogurt I have had! My grandson and I made butter out of the cream. He really enjoyed licking the butter off the beater!
There are three A2/A2 confirmed Jersey cows on the farm that produce milk. The cowgirls have names: Love, Liv, and Laughter. There are two milking stations, everything is very clean throughout here and the processing area. Blessing Way Pastures is following a Calf-at-Foot-Dairy method. You can check this out here.
Eggs
The farm has pastured-raised laying hens which include Buff Orphingtons, Americanas, Rhode Island Reds, Black Austrolorps, and mixes of all of the above. Eating pasture-raised eggs has significant health benefits. You can check out a post I did about eggs here.
Blessing Way Pastures is a very peaceful farm, the animals are all friendly and happy. This is a true reflection of the farmers. Check out their website to learn more about the farm and view the photo gallery. If you are looking for wool, raw dairy, or pasture-raised eggs, for sure connect with these farmers.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Heather
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