A couple weeks back I had the pleasure of learning about farm life while visiting with the charming Amie Herrera of Francesca’s Dawn farm. Full of laughter, love for her animals and farm as well as a vast knowledge about both.
It was a steamy, warm day with abundant sunshine. Promised a delicious lunch, my man Dan tagged along on this visit to learn about what goes on at the farm. We arrived around noon and decided to walk the premises before sitting down for a homemade lunch by Amie’s son Zach.
Amie professes she is not a gardener but is fond of her animals and their well-being. Her pigs are allowed to roam in the woods and forage and waller in the mud as pigs do. A few young ones and their mama were corralled in a large area with shelter, until they are turned out in the woods. She told us, “pigs are smart, they only eliminate their bodily waste in one section of the pen, leaving the remainder clean”. Baby pigs are full of cuteness while this full grown sow does what we all think of pigs as doing …….wallowing in the mud. On this hot day it was easy to understand why!
Farm life at Francesca’s Dawn is all about allowing the animals to live a natural, free, humane life. Cattle free to graze in the shade of big trees, goats gathered under the shade on their own parcel of Amie’s land, playing and head butting each other. Donkeys with shelter and a large pasture in which to spend their days. Pigs wallowing in the mud devising their own sunscreen, foraging for roots, leaves, fruits and flowers – happy pigs!
Are you wondering why this adorable baby goat doesn’t seem to have ears? Well it does but American Lamancha is a breed of dairy goat whose ears are small and close to their head. Now do you see the little ears? They are the only breed of dairy goat developed in the U.S.
The large Nubian goats pictured above have multi color markings, long, floppy ears and long legs. These curious dairy goats followed us as we moved through their area on the farm. One large billy goat and a younger male showed off by entertaining us with some major horn wrestling.
At the time of our “farm life” visit Amie and two of her kids were running the farm. Amie’s husband is out of the country for a bit but is soon to return and lend a hand. Amie did tell me that the farm is mostly hers and hers to keep up with. Her kids – both teens help out some, but it seems that this wonder woman does most all of the work herself. This, I’m sure is why she is so knowledgeable about her animals and life on the farm.
She keeps up with the fencing, the water system and the creatures. Providing fresh water for the pigs, cattle and goats who are pastured far away from her house, ensures they will not be thirsty. When I say away from the house, ya’ll, I mean a long way from her house. Amie, has created a system with garden hoses so her animals have fresh water daily. There are chickens to coop up at night, a couple of geese waddling about and the store where she sells her goods. Oh, she also home schools those teenagers!
There are also a a variety of cats and dogs as one would expect on a farm. I had a very hard time saying “no” to the free kittens she was ready to send off to new homes. My smart husband reminded me of our unpredictably aggressive big, white dog, Beckley and I thought better of it. But kittens…….
This pig with her white eyelashes reminded me of Miss Piggy. All she needed was a feather boa and a microphone! Too stinking’ cute!
After our extensive view of farm life we headed back to the 100 + year old farmhouse that Amie and her family are restoring, for lunch. The kids had been busy in the kitchen producing fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, homemade Naan bread and Moroccan meatballs. The meatballs made with ground beef from the farm were delicious. We sat down family style and loaded the warm naan with fresh made Tzatziki, tomatoes, lettuce, goat cheese and Moroccan meatballs. A delicious and refreshing lunch followed by non other than the homemade chocolate chip cookies. I can’t decide which I most enjoyed, the farm life tour or lunch! Amie and her family were warm and welcoming. A day well spent!
I’ll just tell you right now I definitely have stove envy for the huge commercial gas stove and oven in Amie’s farmhouse kitchen!
After our leisurely lunch we headed to Amie’s store to pick up a few cuts of meat to haul home. I’ll post my recipe for Garlic & Herb Lamb Loin Chops soon. If you are interested in purchasing some pastured meats visit the website at: www.francescasdawnfarm.com
Remember Amie delivers every third Saturday to North Carolina communities like Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham.
