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   In addition to the horses, Dale has a strong background in sustainable agriculture and organic farming and is very interested in holistic farm management.  His goal is to integrate the sheep and other livestock and crop enterprises in developing an efficient operation where the various enterprises and activities support each other. Having grown up on a diversified farm, Dale appreciates the benefits of farm life and labor and has likes to include the agriculture units into the youth development program. 

   Currently, most of the agriculture and forest management practices are for home use, although some of the vegetable produce is sold at a local farmers market. The horses are used for some of the woodlot harvest and also plow, harrow, and cultivate the 2 ½ acre garden.

Vegetables

A variety of produce is raised each year; some used in the home, some sold at market, and some of it donated to an area soup kitchen. Draft horse power is used in plowing and cultivating the 2 ½ acre garden each year.

Sheep

Icelandic and Icelandic-cross sheep are hardy animals that produce meat and wool on a forage-only diet. They also assist with the grazing management by grazing areas where the horses don’t.

Orchard & Other Perennial Crops

Mesa Farm has a long history of fruit production. A home orchard was started in 2009 consisting of apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, and mulberries. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and asparagus were also started in 2009 along with a small grove of Christmas trees to meet future family needs.

Forestry

A forest stewardship plan is designed to meet short and long-term firewood needs as well as lumber and wildlife habitat goals.

Hay & Forage

Mesa Farm practices intensive grazing management, where the animals are rotated through the pastures (divided with portable fencing), to maximize productivity. Some land is set aside from grazing each summer for hay for Winter use. A neighbor uses his equipment to harvest the hay.

Bees

The bees provide pollination for the orchard and garden and honey for the household as well as income and gifts.

Poultry

The laying hens provide fresh eggs for the Tripp/Perkins and also reduce the fly population by eating the larvae. A batch of meat chickens goes in the freezer each year.

Compost

Vermi-composting (with redworms) recycles the horse manure and other waste products into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer.

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