The Lord led our family to move to Oklahoma and the country in 1999. We bought an acreage consisting of 30 acres, a 1902 farmhouse that needed a lot of work, and several old barns. Needless to say we started working when we moved and have been working on it ever since. We soon acquired beef cows, dogs, cats, and chickens.
              For beef cattle we have raised mainly Limousins. The gentleness of these large animals and beautiful red color, as well as the delicious meat has hooked us on this breed. It seems that everyone comments on the gentleness of our cattle. The Limousin breed is actually noted for being slightly nervous. We have not found them so. Buyers have told us that it seems that our cattle are all hand raised! Because of the demand for natural beef this has expanded from home beef production to a small natural beef business.
           Our chickens are an assortment of mostly dual-purpose breeds including Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Black Austrolops, Buff Orpingtons, Gold and Silver Laced Wyandottes, Black Minorcas, and the green egg layers, Americanas.
            Dairy goats came soon thereafter. We started with two Nubian grade does and a Nubian/Alpine grade doe. Since these original three does the three girls have grown an interest in showing the goats, therefore we have purchased some purebred Nubians. Our goat herd has increased to about 25, not all of those are milking yet, of course.
            Soon the search for the perfect family cow was on. We located a Jersey that was supposed to calve and purchased her. She was gentle and quite timid. After awhile she still hadn't calved so we took her to the vet and they said that she wasn't going to! We got a replacement and she was starting to bag up. This cow was not gentle and calved soon. We had to rope her to milk her and after that she hated us, trying to run us down if we got in the pen with her. We sold her and soon found Adelaide, our perfect family Jersey. She was gentle and stood quietly to be milked. She would stand a long time to let the lines of children at the county fair milk her. Although we lost Adelaide this last year we thank her and will always remember her for getting us started right in dairy cattle. Our dairy catlle consist of three breeds, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, and Guernsey.

Showing Our Animals

             
             Ever since our first county fair we have been hooked on showing. The girls especially have worked to compete in the ring. Our family attends approximately two dairy cow shows and two dairy goat shows. This year we have attended the Duncan, OK dual dairy goat show sanctioned by ADGA. We will soon be making our way to Stillwater for the Sooner State Dairy Show. We will take several cows. In the fall we will likely go to one of the state fairs, probably Oklahoma City's. Previously we have shown at the Tulsa State Fair. The atmosphere is very nice and the barns are great! However, the drive is a little far.
              Before the show is a great flurry of washing and trimming animals. Making lists and packing needed items is done as quickly as possible. The excitement mounts as we get in the vehicle and actually start traveling down the road. Upon arrival we must find out or pick were we are to keep our animals. Often we sleep in the barns with the animals and although we might not sleep quite as sound what could be more fun! Before the show everything must be touched up before entering the ring. Wether we win our lose it is such joyful family fun. Bringing everyone together and working hard causes a closeness in family and friends alike. I'm not saying it's not stressful, it is. But there is nothing quite like the wonder of the show.
               At the fairs we also get the oppurtunity to inform the public about our animals as well as animals in general. This is also a great oppurtunity to share how God has led our lives. When you see the excitement of little children petting a cow for the first time, or seeing adults enjoy animals and talk of when they used to live on a farm, you get a sense of accomplishment bringing joy into others lives.

The County Fair

 
             Our first year to go to the county fair was in 2000. That first year we only took two goats. It has steadily increased since then and now we are taking about fifteen goats and about eight cows. We also take as many chickens as we are allowed. Last year we had the pleasure of taking ducks for the first time. Besides the animals we try entering other classes such as art, baking, and photography. The 4-H consumer judging is also a favorite of ours. Being homeschooled gives us a big boost as we go shopping with Mama we learn these same kind of skills.
              The first year we took our goats the sheep area was over crowded. We placed our animals in the pig area. People walking through would ask to pet and milk the goats when they realized that is what we were doing. That was the beginning of our dairy demonstration. For the next two years, 2001-2002, we held our demonstration with the Humane Society's petting zoo. Our family worked together and made informational boards about breeds of dairy goats and dairy cattle, dairy products, and the difference of meat vs. dairy animals among other things. One of our goals is to educate the public about dairy animals. Another is to let people know how God led us to live in Oklahoma on a farm. In 2003 we were given a space of our own to conduct our demonstration. The times that we milked were put into the county fair paper for all to see. That year before the fair we also got a call from the Shawnee News Star that they wanted to put in an article about our farm to advertise about the county fair. We have several of those copies saved. This year we have been asked to help out as dairy superintendents. We are excited to help with this part of the fair!

Meeting the Demand

                From the first goat milk to the most recent beef we have learned that many people are wanting to have the wholesome goodness of products from animals raised the way God intended them to be. As we started having extra milk, both cow and goat, we started selling the surplus. The word has gotten out and demand is growing. Because of the demand we have been able to increase our herd. Although we are not organically certified, nor intend to be in the future, we have found plenty of people wanting our products. Our animals are cared for with kindness. Treated to God's wonderful outdoor world where they belong.
                As we started to treat this plan as a business we are working on putting together a plan, building a barn, and drilling a new well.

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