People often ask me, “Did you grow up on a farm or in the country? Did you always have farm animals?”
No, the answer is a resounding no.
My name is Sarah Nash, and I grew up in the concrete jungle of Suburbia, Texas (although I would have to say that I always wanted to live on a farm and have animals, even when I was young). When my husband (at the time my boyfriend) and I were in high school, we definitely had more than one conversation about owning land after we got married. In fact, I can remember a pact we made with one another–that we would own horses and land before we had children!
Looking back, this is hilarious, given the fact that at that point we had no land and knew nothing about horses. But, I share to illustrate the pull that both of us had to the desire to own land, even way back then. By the way, we did not own land and horses before we had children. We had four beautiful girls first, then we bought our land.
I do realize that, in my generation (and even more so the next generation), there is a general societal pull “back to the land” or to living in the country. But I like to think we had that desire long before it became “a thing”…perhaps not, but I like to think so.
Now, I live in Central Ohio on the 27 acres that we call Trillium Way Farm. We currently have Dexter cattle (for meat), Nigerian Dwarf goats (for dairy), chickens (for eggs), Great Pyrenees dogs (for herding), and some barn cats (for barn cat stuff).
It is my great joy to milk my goats everyday throughout the year, from Pascha (Orthodox Easter) to approximately when the Nativity Fast begins for the Orthodox Church (November 15). Sometimes, I will go into December to dry my does off, freezing the milk or making chevre that I can also freeze.
You must be asking, how did we go from our suburban lifestyle to owning 3 cows, 16 adult goats, 20-24 baby goats (per year!), 61 chickens, 4 dogs and 2 cats?
In 2017, after we knew we were set to live in Ohio permanently, my husband and I looked at each other and said “Now! Now is the time to look for land!”
We drew a circle around Columbus and looked in an area that would not exceed my husband’s desired commute. It really didn’t take long before we found the perfect place.
I think we can both say that, as we were driving onto the land that we now own, we both felt like we were coming home. It was instantaneous for both of us. However, we also wanted to ensure that we had exhausted all the options and opportunities available. So we looked at all the available land or homes for sale within commuting distance of Columbus with more than 10 acres.
What we got was more than we could have ever dreamed of; a turn-key farm with a barn and outbuildings, equipment and a pond, some livestock guardian dogs and chickens, great fences, and both pastures and wooded areas. We could begin our life here on the farm without too much building or new construction.
We dove right into farming. The previous owners did leave us with an order of chicks that actually arrived the day we moved in. My girls were elated! Luckily, my new neighbors were also going in on this new brood of chicks and could help me out with the start-up. I had no idea what I was doing! That is, I purchased a book on how to raise chicks, but the actual physical and kinesthetic process of raising those chickens proved more educational than any written word.
The previous owners also left some older hens (about 6 of them). Unfortunately, we had a death within the first week we were here. She was a pretty old hen so it wasn’t anyone’s fault…she just died of old age. But her death was extremely hard on my girls.
There is nothing like living on a farm to help you get in touch with life and death. As Orthodox Christians, we are always to keep the thought of death ever before us. It helps in the conversion of our soul towards God and in our constant daily repentance. As sad as that first death on our farm was, it also stood as a reminder to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on God and keep us ever thankful for His constant provision for us and for our very life and breath. Already, I was truly thankful for the lessons this farm was teaching me and my children.
In addition to chicks, we also dove right into owning goats. I found a local active Goat Association group, and I also obtained several books on goats, listened to podcasts, and watched Youtube. Most importantly, I found a mentor who would help me whenever I needed it, someone I could call if there was trouble or success.
It can be a daunting task to take on livestock, especially when you don’t have any experience. But it can be done with hard work, research, and the right mentor. I have been breeding goats now for 6 years. In the goat world, that still means I am a newbie. But, this newbie does have some experience, and I am willing to share my experience with anyone that needs it!
After 2 years of being on the farm, we eventually acquired a steer. I knew a friend that raised steers, and we finally decided that we wanted to try it too. I buy a freshly-weaned steer twice a year, raise it for approximately 24 months, then send it to slaughter. I usually have 2 steers that are different ages and we butcher one per year. This provides enough meat for the whole year for my family (and with the Orthodox fasting schedule, it works out quite well)!
We also have continued to raise chickens! I just purchased 36 chicks this last spring, bringing our chicken count up to 61. 15 of those ladies belong to my neighbor. She doesn’t have a chicken coop on her property so I share mine with her. It’s a lovely situation because she often helps with some of the farm chores. She has learned how to milk my goats as well, so if I need to go off-farm during milking season, she is there to help me out.
Milking my goats is the cornerstone of my day. It is routine, generally quiet (with just the animal noises going on), and quite honestly, prayerful. I often say to others, “I’d rather be milking my goats.” It is an extra time that I can offer my prayers up to God in the presence of His creation.
There are so many good conversations that I have had with my girls because of the experiences they have had on the farm: death and life, the birds and the bees, teenage behavior (and how it sometimes echos farm animal behavior), the day-in and day-out routine of farm life, and the absolute need to care for the animals God has given to us. We also know the work involved in obtaining food; this gives us a thankfulness in our hearts to God.
One day, God-willing, my girls will become mothers themselves. I think that they will be better for it, having already cared for another in this world. They have had to offer their own time and energy for something other than themselves, be it a goat, chicken, steer, dog, cat, or rabbit. I truly believe that they are better humans (and women) because of it. I pray that they will be good mothers to their children, in part because of the sacrifices that they have already given.
People also ask me if I am ever able to leave my farm. Yes…yes I can leave, but I do have to find help to feed and care for the animals. Before, I had my neighbor helping me so readily I did find a pet sitter/farm sitter that would come out to feed my animals but she didn’t milk my goats so I had to leave one of my girls to milk my goats. It can be a burden to make sure your animals are cared for if you need to leave, but for me it hasn’t been too bad. I love my farm, my property, my animals and all the work it takes, so for me, it’s not too big a load. Plus, I do have plenty of help.
I want to end with words written by a sister farm (Dalarna Farms) that beautifully expresses exactly how I feel about owning land and animals, as well as having the charge of caring for both:
Quite regularly, someone seems to say to me “Oh but doesn’t that farm and all those animals really tie you down?” Why yes, yes they do.
They tie me to starting my day when the sun rises and ending it well after the sun sets…but it means I always get to see them both.
They tie me to the rhythm of the seasons…the might of the winter blizzard, the first spring breeze carrying the scent of rain, the towering glory of a summer thunderhead and the fall of leaves from the poplar trees.
They tie me to concentrating on the chores that need to be done right now…not the regrets of yesterday nor the worries for tomorrow.
This farm and all these animals keep me tied down to earth when the rest of the universe tries to flip me upside down. And so I would much rather be tied down here than set adrift in the tumultuous sea I see so many others in.
I find this mooring rather to my liking.
Trillium Way Farm 