These days, it isn’t always easy to find young people who embrace the idea of going back to the basics. The concept of getting back to nature and living off the land is a foreign concept to many in their late twenties. The idea of only one breadwinner and a stay-at-home parent is rare these days. For them, family is an important factor, making certain children grow up in a healthy and loving environment with values and self-esteem and a good work ethic. It gives me hope when I see this happen.
My friends, Kaila and Aaron Holtz, have done just this thing. They love the land and embrace the idea of raising their young family in an environment that is filled with animals and growing things.
Like many of us who care about where our food comes from, they have a garden so they can grow and preserve their own vegetables. They raise their own beef and have it processed at the local locker.
But more than this, which is, in fact, something most of us could do without too much trouble, they made the decision for Kaila to be a stay-at-home mom. And to accomplish that goal, Sacred Sage Farms was created.
First, came the goats. La Machas. To me, they are odd-looking creatures; they have no ears. Yet they have gentile dispositions, are easy to work with, and are wonderful milking goats and that was, after all, the goal. To have fresh goat milk for sale on the local market. With goat milk in such high demand, it was not difficult to find buyers. There was seldom enough of the rich liquid. So, more goats were purchased.
Sacred Sage Dairy now has a small herd of great milking goats. And the female kids are being added to the group. The little bucklings are sold for breeders or 4-H projects or pets.
When there does happen to be extra milk, Kaila makes goat milk soaps and lotions. I can personally attest to the great moisturizing properties of these products. Luxurious and lightly scented, they are a real treat. I stock up whenever I visit.
There are chickens for fresh eggs, and herbs in the garden for that nice ‘extra’ in homemade meals. There are the ever-present barn cats and the dogs, both working and pets, and mules and horses in the fields, though these have been termed merely pasture ornaments from time to time by Kaila’s mother. It is a wonderful, relaxing place to sit and contemplate.
The newest acquisition to the farm is the addition of a rabbitry. Sacred Sage Farms now includes Registered English Lops. And, let me just say, they are adorable! Each one has its own distinct personality and quirks. English Lops make wonderful pets and can easily be trained to be house bunnies.
Recently, several does gave birth and I cannot stress enough how absolutely enthralling the little ones are! Once they are about two weeks old and have their eyes open, they are out of the nesting boxes and jumping and running everywhere within the confines of their cage. Then, exhausted, they pile up all together for warmth and sleep for a while, regaining what seems like an endless supply of energy.
Then they wake up and start the whole process over again. They eat whenever mamma lets them and begin nibbling on adult food as soon as they can move around. They are so entertaining to watch and interact with. These registered babies will be sold to other breeders to add to their bloodline, or to individuals as house pets, or as 4-H projects.
If you are interested in learning more about what Sacred Sage Farms have to offer, you can contact them through Facebook at https://facebook.com/sacredsagefarms. They are located in Greenwood, Arkansas.
It gives me joy to see young people embracing the ways of the past. Being a farm girl myself, I understand the value of being in touch with the earth and reaping the bounty she freely gives us. We just have to know how to access it.
Loved the blog!!