Jeanne and Llew Williams and their four children moved to what is now called Red Barn Farm in 1995. Though it was a beautiful old farm dating back to the 1830's, the land was not being farmed. In 2005, Jeanne flipped out and decided she could not longer survive in the dog eat dog world of preschool. Casting her eye about she said, "We have 113 acres, why aren't we doing something with it?" After reading Barbara Kingsolver's "Prodigal Summer" , in which one of the characters begins raising meat goats, she began months of research. Then, cashing in her meager retirement, she had fence and a barn built and bought her first 7 meat goats. Since then the herd has swelled to as many as 72 goats. Jeanne uses sustainable practices including rotational pasturing and never uses antibiotics or growth hormones in the natural goat ration. She supplements with Fertrell's Nutribalancer which contains the highest quality vitamins and minerals plus probiotics. Jeanne has been heard to say, "Goats are the solution to all the world's problems - the provide meat, milk, cheese, fiber, clean your hillsides and they are fun to have around!"
Jeanne always had a large garden for the family but has increased veggie production for market sales. Located in a cold hollow in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, it is just right for raising beautiful lettuce all summer long. Jeanne plants Fedco seeds because of their pledge to not knowingly sell GMO seeds. Jeanne uses zero chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer. There's plenty of goat and chicken manure around to take care of soil fertility!
Two years ago, Jeanne added laying hens and broilers to the mix at Red Barn Farm. The layers are free ranged (though she is trying to keep the darned things out of the front yard). The broilers will be in a day range situation this year. In past years they were pastured and pens were moved daily. In the day range situation, the broilers will be able to move in and out of the pens on pasture and the pens will be moved weekly. Both types of chickens are fed a natural ration mixed with Fertrell's Nutribalancer. Jeanne butchers the broilers herself and though it is not her favorite job, Jeanne says, "That's the best chicken I ever ate!" So does anyone who tries it.
Call us anytime and come out for a visit. 724-447-2951
