Do we have enough land to support this?
Do we have access to enough feed?
Do we have the time to keep expanding?
Do we have the time to properly care for any animals?
Do we have enough money to support a hobby farm and our other needs?
Is this what we (all) want to be focused on?
Sometimes the answers all point full steam ahead. For our family, there have been some yellow lights, which has meant a closer inspection or a pause to reflect.
As I write this I am driving 5 adult babydolls to their new home. The original 3 (Teddy, Bella, and Buttons) have all now found new homes. I feel so much sadness in my soul. Sad to say goodbye to the sheep that have been our base. I have had lots of moments of hesitation during the process of selling these 5.
Do I honor the animal and let them live out their days on our farm?
Do I need to sell them?
Am I doing the right thing?
We sell lambs every year. We have sold older animals. This trip and process has been plagued with this question of right vs wrong. 5 older sheep is a significant change to our farm fabric. These particular sheep are also some of the animals we are most attached to.
I believe at some point every farm/farmer has to ask themselves these same questions. We know it's not a matter of right vs wrong but a question of aligning production & operations with your soul & passion.
Today I/we are selling pieces of our soul to balance production. Another not so easy lesson.
