heritage breeds

In this week's episode, we spotlight a classic Mediterranean beauty - the Minorca. In our Main Topic we share all of our tips for dealing with unwanted winter visitors who want to get to your chickens. This week's recipe is crazy good Hot Chocolate Cookies, and Retail Therapy is our favorite place to buy Comb Balm for dry winter wattles and combs.

Grubbly Farms - click here for our affiliate link.
https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100963304-15546963
New Omega Mix!

Bantam Coffee Roasters
https://bantamroasters.com/
Use code FLUFFYBUTT for 10% off all items!

Chicken Luv Box -  use CWTCL50 for 50% off your first box of any multi-month subscription!
https://www.chickenluv.com/

Strong Animals Chicken Essentials
https://www.getstronganimals.com/

Breed Spotlight is sponsored by Murray McMurray Hatchery
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/

McMurray Hatchery - Minorcas

 Nestera US
https://nestera.us/cwtcl
Use our affiliate link above for 5% off your purchase!

Roosty's
https://amzn.to/3yMDJ

Hot Chocolate Cookies
https://coffeewiththechickenladies.com/farm-fresh-egg-recipes/hot-chocolate-cookies/

CWTCL Website
https://coffeewiththechickenladies.com/
CWTCL Etsy Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoffeeWChickenLadies
As Amazon Influencers, we may receive a small commission from the sale of some items at no additional cost to consumers.
CWTCL Amazon Recommendations
https://www.amazon.com/shop
 

Our podcast guests today are Jeri Robinson Lawrence and daughter Irina Lawrence Mathias.  This hardworking mother/daughter team has contributed a few soundbites in between Points A, B, C and X in the rush of the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival every year, but as they’re the ones that everyone needs something from at all times, a relaxed moment has been hard to come by with these two.

So we went to the mountain (so to speak, although it’s southern Pennsylvania just west of the Susquehanna River, so there were a few hills in there).  They have plenty of things available on their website for anyone who might want some delicious shades, colors, and types of fiber, but the physical location of the farm and shop known as Flying Fibers is a place for the senses.  

Sheep (mostly Shetlands, with a few Leicester and Wensleydale in the mix), chickens, dogs, cats, toddlers, and what seems like every other creature in Noah’s Ark are napping, creating, munching, gamboling or just sitting picturesquely on this little homestead, with green pastures surrounded by waving wheat and banks of bee-covered lavender.  We don’t know how they trained all the critters to perform so beautifully for the cameras (but not the husband, I’m afraid – he ran when we pushed “record”), but the visuals were absolutely lovely.  The scents were fantastic too -- lavender AND lanolin included.

Our Shetland mascot, Jane, could not have a better home with better people.  And the world is a better place because of pretty much everything connected with this little spot of heaven.

Links:
https://www.flyingfibers.com/
https://www.shetland-sheep.org/
https://sheepandwool.com/

This week on Inside Julia’s Kitchen host Todd Schulkin welcomes Frank Reese, the president and founder of the Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch in Lindsborg, Kansas, and founder of the Good Shepherd Conservancy. They discuss the history of standardbred poultry, how heritage breeds differ from supermarket birds, and how Frank cooks his Thanksgiving turkey. Plus, Franks shares his Julia Moment.

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Inside Julia's Kitchen by becoming a member!

Inside Julia's Kitchen is Powered by Simplecast.

We begin with an introduction to Chris and his background, from his high school years working at a mom-and-pop restaurant through culinary school and into his professional career around the globe. He describes his time working for major meat packers in Chicago, and his eventual homecoming to Indianapolis where he founded Goose the Market. Goose the Market is an old-world style market where Chris has created a down-to-earth atmosphere for his customers to order their favorite cuts of meat, sandwiches and local Indiana produce. Chris describes what he wanted to accomplish with Smoking Goose and takes care to explain all of the process and patience he applies to his products. We learn about his thoughts on flavor profiles, how every sausage and salami differs in flavor and texture, his attention to detail in creating pleasant inconsistency and what he enjoys the most about this line of work.

This week, Laura is joined by Caitlin and John Michael to discuss the benefits of farming sustainably. From crop rotation to heritage breeds, learn why sustainable farming is critical to the health of not only humans, but the entire planet. Discover some organizations that are already taking steps in the right direction and how you can too!

On this episode, co-host Katy Starr chats with Cindra Kerscher, Program Coordinator with The Livestock Conservancy and Laura Marie Kramer, Director of National Accounts for Standlee and owner of La Bella Farm about:

• What the Livestock Conservancy is and how it helps livestock breeds that are threatened or at critical survival levels

• One of the most challenging experiences raising rare breeds

• How livestock producers and even those who are completely unexperienced with livestock can support the survival of these rare breeds

Have any topics you want to hear more about? Let us know at podcast@standleeforage.com.

____________________________________

Notes:

19:45 – 23 heritage sheep fiber profiles - https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/shave-em-to-save-em/heritage-sheep-fiber-profiles/

22:30 – Breed profiles for each species - https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/conservation-priority-list/

____________________________________

Why are heritage breeds endangered? 🤔

The Livestock Conservancy states that with modern agriculture favoring a few specialized breeds, traditional breeds have fallen out of favor. Small family farms where these breeds once thrived are disappearing at an alarming rate - and with them historic breeds are disappearing as well. 

Here is a list of species and breeds on their Conservation Priority list - https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/conservation-priority-list/

Find Resources available from The Livestock Conservancy here - https://livestockconservancy.org/resources/

Learn more about the Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em program here – rarewool.org

____________________________________

Keep up with The Livestock Conservancy:

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/livestockconservancy/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livestockconservancy/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvZv_6T86qzHGvwrE086ZA
• Website - https://livestockconservancy.org/

Keep up with La Bella Farm:

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LaBellaFarm/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/labellafarmde
• Website - http://www.labellafarmde.com/

____________________________________

• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standleeforage.com
• Share our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

____________________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com
• Share our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

_______________________________

• *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

In this week's episode, we sit down with four breed organization members. We have representatives from the World Heritage Yak Conservancy, American Boer Goat Association, Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Registry, and American Milking Devon Cattle Association to discuss genetics, small farms, and what makes their livestock breeds so unique.

Links:
https://www.heritageyak.com
https://www.ctlr.org
https://www.abga.org
https://www.milkingdevons.org
https://livestockconservancy.org

We are a little goofy at this time of the year.  So, Elara and I put a little ditty together to start this week's episode off,  but it's not about Jack and Diane. It'll go down as a classic. We look forward to bringing you more fun and exciting episodes from our adventures in the upcoming year, but we won't give up our day jobs. Happy New Year!!

We talked a month ago about the cost of that comfy sweater from the knitting side of things, but now we’re going to go back a little bit further.  The Sheep itself (or goat, or llama, or…).  But that’s not the only thing we need to trace in that regard.  There’s the shepherd, which sprang into existence at the moment the sheep was domesticated.  

Our podcast today brings back Tammy White, of Wing and a Prayer Farm in Shaftsbury, Vermont.  Little did anyone know, but among her many other talents, Tammy is a writer.  Her article “The Cost of Farm Yarn” was published in Taproot Magazine’s Issue 36, and not only were they kind enough to give permission for us to broadcast it, but we have the author herself reading it.  As an extra, Taproot is going to send us the pdf’s with all of that juicy cost breakdown to go with it (you accounting people are salivating, I’m sure), and we’ll post it on the Backyard Green Films YouTube channel.

For all you shepherds who watch your flocks (and herds) every cold, dark night of the year, this one’s for you.

 
Links:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/domestication/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
https://taprootmag.com/products/issue-36?variant=31025619763258
https://www.wingandaprayerfarm.com

In this week's episode we sit down with Becky Serres, a retired employee of Ft. Robinson State Park in Crawford, Nebraska. We were at Ft. Robinson to film the Longhorn roundup and ran into Becky as she volunteered to saddle up her horse and help herd these 125 head of cattle to their winter pasture.  The Ft. Robinson herd is one of the last few publicly-owned herds of the original style of longhorns remaining in the U.S., what we might call CTLR cattle.

Besides the longhorn herd, there is plenty of history at this park as well.  In August 1873, the Red Cloud Agency was moved from the North Platte River to the White River, near what is now Crawford, Nebraska, in the northwest corner of the state. The following year in 1874, the area became a military camp at the agency site.  From 1874 through 1948 it housed Native Americans to German POW's, was remount station during WWI and training dogs and pack animals for the Italy Theatre in WWII.

Becky Serres worked there for 30 years, until her retirement last year. She love's the history that her great state of Nebraska and especially that of Ft. Robinson. So, please sit back and enjoy our interview with Becky Serres.

Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Robinson
http://outdoornebraska.gov/fortrobinson/
https://stateparks.com/fort_robinson_state_park_in_nebraska.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Horse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Soldier

A truly interesting couple on the Mas Vacas Tour 2021, Part 2 (or is it 3 now?) was James and Debbie Farr of Farr Cross Ranch.  They sat down with us (okay, so the people stood, but some of the cows were prone) in the hot, breezy, lush and green fields of Terrell, Texas…

WAIT.  Lush green fields?  Texas?  We’re expected to believe THAT one?!?!

Yep – and we have visuals to prove it.  James and Debbie live in an area just east of Texas that is fortunate enough to be in a sweet spot, as far as rain is concerned this year.  And that’s a good thing, because it’s all about the grass, according to James.  He’s an Original Longhorn fan, sure, but he’s a guy with a business perspective on the issue.  Rate of gain, marketability, and the realities of beef production are his focus.  He’s a guy with a business bent and a vision, and one of those that’s hoping to combine the realities of business in beef production with genetic potential in the CTLR universe.

For a location shoot, this one couldn’t have been prettier.  That’s a good thing, because the nice footage somewhat mitigated the loss of the portable mics somewhere on 160 acres of lovely green grass.  The next time Elara rides on the back of the ATV, she will hold on to the gear bag a little tighter, for the sake of her marriage.

And just a side note – If you want to see some truly snazzy custom handmade western boots, check out our links for Debbie’s company, Mercedes Boots.  You won’t get these at your local shoe store -- even in Texas.

Links:
http://www.farrcrosslonghorns.com/
https://www.ctlr.org/
http://mercedesboots.com/
https://www.ctlc.org

Independence is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?  We usually associate that with being alone or apart, but it can also be something a little different, especially in the economic community.  

This week we celebrate July 4th here in the U.S., the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, way back in 1776.  That little piece of paper means a lot to a great number of people, and it fundamentally changed our way of life on this continent.

One of the historic precursors of that document is an event we all learned in elementary school.  The Boston Tea Party sticks in many people’s minds as representative of much of why we broke apart in the first place, and to many, it was about freedom and economics.  Money (in whatever form) is another little piece of paper that means more than it looks like at first, and within our agricultural system, small farmers and ranchers feel that more than most.

We’re not asking you to dump the figurative tea in the harbor today – actually just the opposite.  You can speak with your dollars, and give independence to small farms across the country, if that’s what you believe in.  Buy with purpose, and make it count.  It might not mean much to you, but it might mean everything to someone else, and preserve their ability to be self-sufficient.  

And the beauty of it is that it preserves ours as well. 

Links:
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party
http://www.boston-tea-party.org/
https://www.ucf.edu/news/7-influential-protests-in-american-history/
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott#:~:text=The%20Montgomery%20Bus%20Boycott%20was%20a%20civil%20rights,as%20the%20first%20large-scale%20U.S.%20demonstration%20against%20segregation.
https://cattlemensdays.com/
https://silktreefarm.com/Silk-Tree-Farm-Meat-Shares-c47071262

Why am I here?  What day is it?  What planet are we on, anyway?  Those questions and more…

Today’s podcast comes to you from a hotel room in Ashtabula, Ohio.  After a crazy month (or two or…) of travel, we’re asking those existential questions of the hotel room ceiling.  It’s hard to keep track of all of those things when the world is spinning faster and faster, it seems, and most especially when a road seems more like a fast way to get somewhere and less like an enjoyable ride.

But we found a man that reminds us of the meaning one might find at the beginning, end and all things in between.  Ralph Rice of Riceland Meadows is an author, blogger and North American Suffolk Horse Association member, but might just be more of a philosopher than any of the above.  

We truly enjoyed our NASHA get-together, and most especially our conversation with Ralph, because sometimes, we all need a reminder of why we do what we do, and why it just might be important to travel at Draft speed, instead of lightspeed.

Links:
https://ricelandmeadows.com/
https://www.suffolkpunch.com/index.php
https://horseprogressdays.com/2021-hpd/

Many countries use stamps as a way to tell people about their culture and their history, all in a little corner of a piece of paper.  It’s a great PR opportunity to have a publicly-visible thing that can be very personal to those that send, and those that receive, and maybe some others along the way.  

Today, on May 17, 2021, it’s only fitting that Mount Vernon, Virginia (the home of George Washington’s…donkey) will host the United States Postal Service and their new release of the Heritage Breed Stamp series.  It is a much-anticipated and much-needed PR boost to help celebrate some of the amazing diversity our agricultural universe holds, and these are but a few of the animals that reflect our cultures, our peoples, our differences and our strengths:

-The Mulefoot Hog
-Wyandotte Chicken
-Milking Devon Cow
-Narragansett Turkey
-American Mammoth Jackstock Donkey
-Cotton Patch Goose
-San Clemente Island Goat
-American Cream Draft Horse
-Cayuga Duck
-Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

Stamps are kind of like DNA, are they not?  A story of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and who we are, all wrapped up in a little thing that does its job every day, but often is taken for granted.   A very intimate, personal thing that has meaning and purpose and connection.  Sounds like a heritage breed DNA parallel to me.

We hope you support your postal service and your agricultural history by buying a set of the new Forever Heritage Breeds stamps, beautifully photographed by Aliza Eliazarov (who has promised to be on an upcoming podcast – stay tuned!).  Why not send a little piece of meaning and connection to someone you love?  

 Links:
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0416ma-new-heritage-breeds-forever-stamps-available-may-17.htm
https://link.usps.com/the_list/old-stock/
https://www.netaonline.org/episode/holstein-dilemma
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8736632/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
https://www.usps.com/
https://www.mountvernon.org/

The Backyard Green Films universe this week:
Our San Diego Screening of The Holstein Dilemma documentary is here.
The exciting new Heritage Breed Stamp Series at the USPS hits next Monday.
We have a shot at something big.  Holy Cow.

Links:
https://www.netaonline.org/about-us
https://www.netaonline.org/episode/holstein-dilemma
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8736632/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
https://www.usps.com/
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0416ma-new-heritage-breeds-forever-stamps-available-may-17.htm

It’s that time again – Bishop Mule Days.  We’re going to bring you back to that wild adventure with an interview with Bill Garrett, of Garrett Jackstock.  He came all the way from Stillwell, Oklahoma to show off his gorgeous ass.  We would know, because we looked (ba-dum-dum)(And yes, we will take every cheap and easy shot we can on this one).  

Mule days is a wild, colorful celebration that highlights all the differences that can occur when you cross a donkey and a horse.  Mules come in all shapes and sizes - big, small, short, tall, brown, white, spots, stripes (well, maybe not stripes, but for the zedonk people I’m sure that exists somewhere).  There is variety everywhere you look in Bishop this month, whether it’s the equines or the people you go to see.

We’ll be heading east this month while Bill is heading west, so we’ll probably cross somewhere on the I-10.  We’ll put our hand out and wave as soon as we see those big ears sticking out the side of the trailer.  They’re irresistible.  So join us for today’s podcast, where Bill shows us his…donkey (Mammoth Jackstock, to be specific).  He has been breeding them and heading to Bishop for more years than many of you have been alive, and can name names to prove it.  All rated G, of course.

Links:
https://www.garrettjackstock.com/
https://muledays.org/ 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/1117-usps-announces-upcoming-stamps.htm

Our Mates Farm is just down the road. Coreen Ung and Mathew Tack have turned an old, run down apple orchard into a thriving small farm, producing over 50 different varieties of apples, as well as lamb and pork. They believe in being radically transparent, and encourage their customers to come to the farm to understand where their food comes from, and while they're there, become mates.

Coreen takes us through the set up of the farm currently, how they use regenerative practices to manage their orchard organically. She also shares their story of how they chose to become farmers. It's inspirational and brave, and will motivate many of you who are thinking about doing something similar. Its an incredibly heart warming conversation that covers a variety of topics, including how growing food brings you and the community together.

And for great piglet pics, check out their social media: Instagram and Facebook

WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)

Infrastructure.  Is it a “sexy” word for most people?  Definitely not.  But to some of us, the truly exciting part is that effort now can often translate to big gains in the future. Building something that will last long after you’re gone takes time, focus, thought, and usually quite a bit of money.

You might think we’re talking about all that stuff with the massive stimulus spending swirling in the news this week, but that’s not a pile we want to step in, over or through (how many zeros are in a trillion, anyway?).  But it does bring up a point – why is infrastructure investment important?  The answer is, whether it be an investment of time, or thought, or capital, when you spend on things that will improve an item or a quality of something over time, the benefit can be magnified in the future.  The guy we’ll talk about today did just that, and he changed the face of agriculture forever.

Elaine Shirley met up with us in Colonial Williamsburg back in 2016 to give us a grand tour, replete with history.  We’re bringing you her story of the Leicester Longwool sheep breed and its founder, Englishman Robert Bakewell.  You might not have heard of him before, but his influence on agricultural genetics and perpetuating breed typing had lasting impact on not only the concept of scientific management in farming, but our view of genetics in all fields of study.  If you get an immediate mental picture of a specific breed type when one is named (e.g. German Shepherd dog), Bakewell might be the guy you should thank.  All that, and his Leicester Longwools sometimes glow like a lightbulb when you put them in the sun.

And speaking of thanks -- Elaine – you’re a true champ.  Nankins and Devons and Leicesters – Oh, My!

-------------

Links:
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/rare-breeds/
https://www.ans.iastate.edu/about/history/people/robert-bakewell
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Bakewell
https://www.leicesterlongwool.org/
https://www.leicesterlongwool.org/an-open-letter-from-dr-phillip-sponenberg
https://www.thoughtco.com/millions-billions-and-trillions-3126163
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=biggest+global+economic+crisis+in+history
https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/new-deal
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infrastructure

Today we’ve reached a momentous day here at Backyard Green Films.  This is the 100th episode of the agri-Culture podcast, which is a pretty big deal for us.  When we started this whole podcast idea, we had no idea that we’d still be doing this almost two years after we started.  And it coincides with the final touches on our film, for which I’m pleased to say we’re in the process of finalizing distribution.

Both of the film and our podcast have been a long road we’ve travelled, and it has been and continues to be one of the most difficult and joyous things in my life.  But thinking about the last five years of the film and the 100th episode of our podcast have put me in a rather emotional state at times this month.  Today’s podcast is about the spirit of those beginnings and endings and everything in between.  Very much like the cycles of agriculture itself, when you think about it.

Links:

https://www.cityfarmersnursery.com/
https://nationaltoday.com/january-holidays/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yohanan_ben_Zakkai
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-jewish-arbor-day-1516925347?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/judaism/2000/01/plant-a-tree-it-can-be-a-spiritual-event.aspx
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-ideas-beliefs/