Welcome to Jackson Regenerational Farm!
Below you will find Sarah’s writing, links to the early bird sale, pictures from this week, and our special Valentine’s Day bundle.
We hope you enjoy and if you have any questions along the way – please email Sarah farm@jacksonregenerationalfarm.com.
Looking for a link to reserve your lamb?
Last day of the Lamb Early Bird Sale!
Winter can be hard for so many. For the elderly, pregnant, or anyone with an injury getting around in the snow and ice – Not wanting to fall and injure our bodies.
Bundling up little ones can take an hour it seems for them just to just go out for 20 minutes and then you have to undress them…
This week after a few really cold days – we had a warmer day – where I could let the kids play – the sun was shining and it was just beckoning me to go outside.
I would love to say my life is balanced – but alas it is not. I often do not spend enough time outside – my tasks of egg packing over 400 eggs a day, running the website, email and accounts along with being the primary cook and house manager has me inside more than I would like some days.
This day was a gift – a true gift. The sun was shining and there was no wind. So, Nick said, “just go – I’ll get Olin dressed to go outside – don’t worry yourself. Just go for a walk.”
And so, I did – I bundled up with no plan and I walked outside. I felt so free to not have the slow and toddling steps of the little ones beside me. I love my children dearly but sometimes only going their pace feels like I’m not as fast as I want.
And as I was walking by the sheep – I noticed that they may enjoy a little variety in their diet – a conifer tree. An adventure for me!
However, all the conifers are way out in the field. I made the quick decision to walk out and bring them back a gift.
And so, without another thought – I grabbed the hand saw and left.
I didn’t tell anyone where I went and I started walking towards the back fields through the snow.
After the first few moments – I noticed I had made a mistake – the snow was deeper than I thought and I was stepping down up to my knees in snow. I wasn’t wearing my snow shoes and I was tiring quickly – obviously my winter self is much more out of shape than I’m used to.
But no worries – I’m stubborn – so I didn’t go back for my snow shoes – I decided to keep going.
Each step down was work – each step up was work. I was out of breath.
After some time, I finally came to the pine trees. I took a moment to catch my breath and eat the snow to keep hydrated.
I picked a pine and spruce to cut down in places where they are not needed and started to cut. I felt tired and hand sawing after a long exhausting walk seemed unnecessary. I should just turn around and go home.
At this point my brain is yelling at me “What are you doing? You should just go back – you’re wasting your energy? Why are you doing this? Are you stupid?” You know that person in your brain who loves to tell you when you’ve screwed up? Yeah – they were being loud!
I stopped a few times to catch my breath and eat some snow because I was thirsty and then I kept sawing.
I kept thinking Nick would be able to saw these down so much quicker than me…
But then I thought about the sheep – and I thought, “You can’t give up now – sure you’re out of breath and thirsty but this is just sensation – you’ll get through this and then the sheep will be ecstatic they will have pine needles full of vitamin c and other phytonutrients.”
So then – I’ve sawed through the trees and as they lay in the snow, and I have that great feeling of accomplishment.
And then I look back over the field of snow towards the house and think “Oh no – I’ve now got to walk all the way back dragging these trees…”
So, I take a moment to collect myself – and then I start out back for the house.
As I’m walking, my brain keeps saying – “stupid – your crazy – you came all this way out here and no one knows where you are – you could fall down and get lost in a snow drift until Spring – you are so out of shape.”
Each step down is an effort – each step up is an effort. I’ve still got the trees – and I’m stopping every few moments to catch my breath.
But finally, I am closer to the house and I know that I’m going to make it. My brain can exaggerate a situation quite quickly as you can see.
I walked up to the sheep, who are laying around chewing their cud. They see me – they see what I have and they all get up with excitement and come running – they eagerly bite off huge mouthfuls of pine needles and spruce needles and I get so happy knowing that they are happy. I love knowing they have the ability to nourish their bodies.
And my final thought is – I’ve got to go get them another tree…
When we raise sheep here on the farm, in the Spring Summer and Fall, I often walk the land observing the bees flying by, the flowers in the field and the array of birds that grace us with their presence. I also often have the thought, “This is Emily’s lamb – that one is Kevin’s, – this one is Bethany’s- here is Bill’s, and here is Laura’s lamb… I can imagine each person who has put a reservation down on a lamb for the fall delighting in the meal before them with family and friends.
As I watch the lambs eating a variety of vegetation and know that are gaining amazing nutrients, I have a powerful thought that even though you may not be here on the land with the lambs – you are because when we know you have reserved one you become a part of the land here.
I know that we will hand these lambs to you, you will cook them to delicious perfection, serve them to your families and feel wonderfully nourished.
I am currently reading this book, Nourishment by Dr. Fred Provenza – I am so moved by the nutritional wisdom of the animals and the humans. And how the wisdom of these animals raised Regeneratively will nourish families throughout Maine.
The other night we made a fantastic leg of lamb – braised slow and low with rosemary and sage and plenty of salt. And for lunch I reheated it on the wood stove and served it to the crew.
After lunch, as we were cleaning up, I watched Olin get up from the table just to pull the dutch oven over to himself with the scraps of the leg roast, so he can drink up the juices and chew on the marrow and eat what bits and pieces he could find.
That is an amazing feeling – when you cook something that your children slurp up with gusto and come back wanting more.
They have the wisdom in their bodies, so do we, and so do the animals.
The Early bird sale on lamb ends today Monday Jan 31st – if you haven’t already placed your reservation for this fall/ winter this is the last day at this price.
If you want to give an amazing gift (Christmas/ birthday) and know someone who would really love a Regeneratively raised lamb for their freezer – just put that in the comments and I will send you a gift certificate.
We send you warmth and well wishes on this last day of January.
With love your farmers,
Sarah & Nick
Looking for a special Valentine's Dinner?
Valentine’s Day Lamb Boxes are now available!
Available for delivery or pickup.
Thank you for joining in on what we do.
Jackson Regenerational Farm in making real change in Maine.
Increasing biodiversity – building soil – feeding communities.
