The pastures where we raise our livestock are not only home to our animals. They are frequented by the local wildlife population. Deer, turkey, foxes, and rabbits are among the many varieties that call our farm home. But it's not just because they live there that they frequent our pastures. Read on to learn how we actually design the way we farm to welcome the existence of a healthy, local, wildlife population.

Ever wonder how many different pigs there are in the world? Curious about what type of pigs we raise at Sparrow Hill Farm? Read this article to get those answers and more.

This week we are offering another chance to cash in on buying a whole hog for a fantastic savings. I figured this is a good time to offer a little detail on how we can accomplish this.

This dancing pair of monarch butterflies captivated my attention while I was doing chores this week. I have written before about how our farm benefits these delicate creatures but not much about the amazing story that is unique to their species.

I've mentioned before that we have been working on a new place to live. For the past 7 years we have been living in a small, one bedroom apartment. This can be a little cramped with three active little boys. Over the past year we have been working to remedy this. We framed up our new house July of last year and finally moved in this past Saturday! Read on to learn how we designed it for our family and to better serve the customers of our farm.

The last several days have been exceptionally warm here in southern Wisconsin. Not just warm but humid. This has the potential to add a little stress to the animals on the farm. How do our animals tolerate heat stress? How do we deal with it as farmers? In this article, I'll explain.

We drink a delicious, locally brewed beer. The pigs get the byproducts. Nothing goes to waste. And it serves as a health food for the pigs. In this article, discover how brew grain benefits the pigs as a supplement to their diet. And how we partner with a local business to make sure nothing goes to waste.

It's been a while since I have highlighted our beautiful and noble farm dog, Shadow. In this article, I'll give just a little praise for her and her interesting heritage, as well as explain why she is important to our farm.

The Great Plains of North America have long been adorned with a diverse array of native prairie plants. Each playing a crucial role in the delicate ecosystem that sustains countless species of wildlife. Among these prairie gems stands one of our favorites, the compass plant (Silphium laciniatum). I wrote briefly about this plant last year, but this iconic species is worthy of more detail. In this blog post, I will explore the rich history and importance of the compass plant in native prairies, the threats it faces due to modern agricultural practices like tilling, and how regenerative agriculture can be the salvation of this plant and its neighbors.

We are feeding hay. Midsummer. This is not unusual on many farms. It is unusual for us. This marks the first time we have needed to feed hay to our cows outside of Winter. And even though there is some grass on the paddock, we are not grazing it. In this article, I'll explain the reasons why.

Wild bergamot is a breathtaking, flowering, herbaceous plant native to North America and commonly found in various regions across the continent. And it grows prolifically in our pig pastures. In this article, I'll discuss how the plant's been used historically, its habitat, its ecological importance and how we're helping to conserve and cultivate this native plant on our farm.

Weeds are a vital part of nature's healing process for worn, exposed, or otherwise abused ground. In other words, they can be a huge benefit on the farm. In this article, I'll explain the role they play in nature and in the management of our farm's pastures.