Author: Solace Farmer

We raise Finnish Landrace Sheep (Finnsheep), Boer Goats, Hereford cross cattle, and Duroc/Hampshire Pigs. Our Animals are part of our everyday life as well as our livelihood. We are located in the Pacific Northwest at the edge of the ponderosa forest just west of the Rocky Mountains near Spokane, WA. Our farm is based on the concept of holistic farming and permaculture. We raise and feed all our animals organic hays and grains grown by ourselves and other small family farms in our community. This farm produces Fiber for spinning, felting and weaving. We also sell handspun yarns and do custom spinning for your projects as well as create artisan made items from our hands to your home. We are a family committed to the agricultural concept of the FAMILY FARM being the best way to produce the products our society needs while being careful stewards of our environment and good caretakers of the animals entrusted to our care. We breed and sell quality seed stock from our farm with special discounts for 4H and FFA members. Please email with any questions about animals available for purchase or if you experience any difficulty with this site.

First Milking of the Year.

close up of milk against blue background

One of the joys of having a Family Farm is seeing the delight of the Grandchildren as they greet the first arrivals of the season. For us it is the Nubian Milk Goats who are the first to deliver.

We plan it this way on purpose because then we have fresh colostrum and milk for other babies as they arrive if it is needed. With Finnsheep and Boer Goats next on the Schedule this is a necessary precaution. Both the Boer Goats and Finnsheep can have a tendency to be Super Producers and we usually get occasional quintuplets from them and can have as many as many as 7 from the Finnsheep. In order not to drain these Super Producers we supplement with the extra goat milk. When the extra babies are weaned and moved out on pasture, we then start the cheese making season.

I hope you enjoy the video. Have a Great Day!

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Virtual conference on Sustainable Farming Methods

brown grass field under cloudy sky

Topic

Growing Hope: Practical Tools for a Changing Climate

Description

Join us for NCAT’s third annual national conference! This free virtual convening will feature renowned speakers and showcase farm stories that make the connection between our changing climate, healthy soils, and farm productivity and resilience.

We will hear from producers who have come to understand the centrality of carbon to agroecosystems. We will hear from farmers and ranchers who are producing food, fiber, and fuel in ways that restore and maintain landscape health and mitigate greenhouse gases. We will share stories of people coming together to support each other in challenging times.

We will leave you with an understanding of climate beneficial agriculture and actions you can take on your own land to make your farm and your local community resilient in the long term.

Each Tuesday session will last for three hours, and each Thursday session is two hours with an optional networking after-session.

Find all the details about speakers and topics for each session at our website: https://attra.ncat.org

Feb 28, 2023 11:00 AM
Mar 2, 2023 12:00 PM
Mar 7, 2023 11:00 AM
Mar 9, 2023 12:00 PM
Mar 14, 2023 11:00 AM
Mar 16, 2023 12:00 PM

Time shows in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register Here

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How to Shear a Sheep and Why It’s Important Video

Covered Fleece 3-21
I have been a member of the Livestock Conservancy Organization for years. This year we will be adding some heritage breeds to Solace Farm in support of their work.
Please take a the time to check out this great video they have produced and their website
sheep shearing video banner
The Livestock Conservancy is thrilled to announce the release of our short film, How to Shear Sheep & Why It’s Important. Directed by Jody Shapiro, the compelling 12-minute film showcases the beautiful dance between sheep and shearer, the importance of sheep shearing to the health and well-being of sheep, and the impact that Slow Fashion and local wool have on the economy and local community.
 Watch How to Shear a Sheep & Why video
The film begins with an introduction by Dr. Temple Grandin, award-winning author, animal welfare advocate, and Lifetime Member of The Livestock Conservancy. Throughout the film, viewers willMeet expert shearers and rare breed sheepLearn tips on the best way to shear humanely, including preparing sheep for shearing and best tools for the jobUnderstand why shearing is important for the health of the sheepWatch the art of humane sheep shearingDiscover how you can support a sustainable industry and help save rare sheep breeds from extinction. (Hint – it’s by supporting those that raise them, shear them, and make products from their fiber)We hope that after watching this film, you will feel an appreciation for the art of humane sheep shearing and why it is so vital to the health of sheep. Please watch and share this video with your communities. We need your help spreading the word about why shearing is an important part of conserving rare breeds!
To learn more about our work with rare breeds and why conserving them is important for maintaining biodiversity and food security, visit our website at https://livestockconservancy.org/.

Thank you to Isabella Rossellini, Executive Producer of the film and Ambassador for The Livestock Conservancy for her generous gift that made this project possible. 
 ###The Livestock Conservancy is a national non-profit membership organization working to protect more than 150 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction.

Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em Initiative
Interested in helping save rare breed sheep from extinction? Want to support shearers, shepherds, and the slow fashion movement? Sign up as a Fiber Artist to craft for a cause. This initiative encourages knitters, spinners, weavers, felters, and other crafters to use fiber from rare breed sheep in their projects. Using their wool puts sheep back to work on farms across the U.S. Enroll online at https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/shave-em-to-save-em/

Why is genetic diversity important?Like all ecological systems, agriculture depends on genetic diversity to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Genetic diversity in domestic animals is revealed in distinct breeds, each with different characteristics and uses. Traditional, historic breeds retain essential attributes for survival and self-sufficiency – fertility, foraging ability, longevity, maternal instincts and resistance to disease and parasites. As agriculture changes, this genetic diversity may be needed for a broad range of uses and opportunities. Once lost, genetic diversity is gone forever.What are Heritage Breeds?Heritage breeds are livestock and poultry breeds raised by our forefathers. These breeds were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well-adapted to the local environment and they thrived under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different from those found in modern agriculture.Heritage animals once roamed America’s pastoral landscape, but today these breeds are in danger of extinction. Modern agriculture has changed, causing many of these breeds to fall out of favor. Heritage breeds store a wealth of genetic resources that are important for our future and the future of our agricultural food system.
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It’s October – Let’s Cast-Off Chemo!

Denise knitting

All year round our Pink Project helps raise funds for cancer research through the S.D. Ireland Cancer Research Fund.  Now that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to say a big THANK YOU to the many knitters and crocheters who have purchased Pink Project sets and accessories.  Together, since 2006, we have sent over $246,000 to the S. D. Ireland Cancer Research Lab at the University of Vermont, getting closer every day to replacing chemotherapy with highly targeted, gentle, and effective immunotherapy. 
Visit the Pink Project Collection for needles, hooks, and accessories that contribute, and check out the S.D. Ireland Cancer Research Fund website for more information on the groundbreaking research that your purchase will help fund. 

Denise2Go for Knitting, Sharp Short Tip Complete sets in Mirth and Fans include ten sizes of Sharp Short Tip needles, US 5/3.75mm-15/10mm.  Each purchase sends a $5 donation to the research lab.

Mirth
Fans

Our original Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needle Sets in Pink are now available in three colorways: Pastel, Gray, and Bright.  Sets include ten needle sizes, US 5/3.75mm-15/10mm.  Each purchase sends a $5 donation to the research lab.

Bright
Gray
Pastel

The original Denise2Go Knit for a Cure, Bright Pink set includes the same contents as their hard-shelled counterparts above, but in a brilliant and compact cotton case.  Each purchase sends a $5 donation to the research lab.

Denise2Go for Crochet, Bright Pink sets include six hook sizes, US H8/5mm-M13/9mm.  This is a great set for travel!  Each purchase sends a $2 donation to the research lab.
If you’re new to Tunisian crochet or want to add an extra size or two to a collection, our Pink Tunisian Crochet Sets are a perfect option.  Each set includes one hook, two cords (5″ and 12″), two end buttons, and one extender.  Each purchase sends a $1 donation to the research lab.
Don’t forget the accessories!  Pink long cords are available in 24″, 30″, 40″, and 52″ lengths, with each purchase sending $1 to the lab.  Pink Companion Sets (1 each 9″, 12″, 14″, 16″, and 19″ cords plus 4 end buttons and 2 extenders) each send a $2 donation.  
Between the Stitches is a delightful CD of original solo piano music by Peter Krag, composed especially for relaxing stitching, with all proceeds going to breast cancer research.  Listen to some excerpts here.
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