Hello Hello!
Welcome back and thank you for stopping by! Back online now after a long hiatus of writing for other venues. I am so sorry to have neglected you, Inter-webs. I promise to be better!
Now on to my newest find, a lovely little farm in the heart of Virginia. The Digging Dog Farm. Widely known in the area for their superior wool fibers, this family owned small business is exactly the type of outfit I love to feature. So the small business spotlight is on this purely beautiful, well run farm.
Part of the flock enjoying their afternoon meal in lush grasses and shady trees.
The Digging Dog Farm is home to a diverse flock of happy, healthy sheep. Featured breeds are Romney, Border Leicester, Coopworth, Blue-Faced Leicester and all associated crosses. The farm itself is run with care and precision, with the welfare of the animals at the top of the list. I was lucky enough to visit this farm twice in this past year. All these pictures were taken by Local Jules, so sorry if they are not perfect!
Each animal has a name, not just a number. When I was there, the two shepherds were naming off each animal with affection and love and detailing the habits and behavior of each. The flock crowded up to the fence, happy to see their caretakers and hoping for something to eat.
Jefferson, the resident wether (altered male companion) who keeps all the lambs company.
The owners take rigorous pains to make sure the environment is one of calm and peace for their flock. Every year The Digging Dog Farm is granted a Humane Certified seal of approval by the Humane Farm Animal Care Program. Members of the program come to the farm and inspect the operation, insuring that the animals are being raised with care without antibiotics or hormones in a natural environment. The farm itself is 77 acres, but most of that land is undeveloped forest. The owners believe in leaving nature alone as much as possible. The pastures surrounding the house are large and lush, with shady trees and a huge barn for protection against the elements.
Colorful bunch filling their bellies in the lush grass of their pasture.
Comfy sheep under the tree enjoying the snow.
The flock is guarded by farm dogs and also with guardian llamas, peaceful creatures who naturally protect the sheep and raise any alarm if there is a predator in the area. The farm is located deep in the country, so the occasional presence of bears and bobcats makes the guardian llama essential.
Llama named Girlfriend watching over her charge, a healthy ewe.
A collie and a crazy little poodle make for interesting farm dogs!
A happy yellow Labrador ready to accompany the shepherd down the mile long lane to the surrounding pastures.
The Digging Dog Farm was started almost 16 years ago by an agriculturally minded couple from the Washington DC metro area, Mr. and Mrs. Hess. After many years hustling through the congested city life, the couple decided they wanted a quieter, more peaceful place to live. They started their small business in the middle of Virginia with a few sheep from the College of Agriculture within the Virginia Tech University system in Blacksburg, Virginia.
A beautiful, inquisitive Romney ewe lamb
Enjoying eating in the barn in winter.
A curious Border-Leicester baby.
Now, many years later, the flock is thriving and the fleece produced is selling around the country. The farm features all natural colors of fibers, from white to brown to grey with all the shades in the middle. They have fine, medium and long wool classifications weighing up to 15 pounds, from 3-8 inches in length. These fleeces are purchased by spinners throughout the country and then made into yarns of all colors. The raw fibers from The Digging Dog Farm are known in the industry as some of the strongest, most reliable materials available.
A pretty white ewe looking for graham crackers.
Everyone is happy to run in the grass.
Possible buyers can breathe easy knowing that this product is created in a loving, happy environment by this hard working couple.
Digging Dog fibers are featured at Sheep and Wool Festivals along the east coast and also online at http://www.thediggingdogfarm.com.
Spinners from as far away as California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Oregon have taken a liking to The Digging Dog Farm fibers.
A very old tree on the property, shading the house and the grounds.
For the small percentage of readers who need raw fibers, The Digging Dog Farm is your place. Wrapping up my visit, I took a few pictures of the amazing grounds and the natural environment this couple lives in every day.
Sunset on The Digging Dog Farm.
The long driveway to all the pastures.
This is Nathan, one of the original ‘Digging Dogs’ that gave the farm it’s name.
So, congrats to The Digging Dog Farm for being the small business spotlight of this weeks post! Keep doing an amazing job with your small business and creating a superior product with a happy, healthy flock!
All the best,
Local Jules
locallygrownlife 