I was born in the city of Scarborough and never felt like I belonged in the concrete jungle. As a little girl, I gravitated to neighbours’ dogs and any animal in sight. I was delighted when my oldest sister married a sheep farmer when I was 8. Summers, holidays and as many week-ends as allowed were spent on that 200-acre farm, east of Wiarton, Ontario. I was educated from a young age about animal husbandry, farm machinery, natural & alternative practices, how to work efficiently and responsibly.
For Christmas in 1985, I received the best gift ever – my first sheep! I still have the direct descendants from that line to this day, never missing a day of sheep ownership in almost four decades. I attended Humber College for Equine Studies and then the University of Guelph for Farm Operations and Management. My livestock knowledge and experience is extensive ranging from beef and dairy cattle, swine, horses, sheep, llamas, goats, donkeys, chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, peafowl, rare breeds, livestock protection dogs, rabbits and other birds and animals.
After working for other farmers for over 25 years and having my own livestock on the side for 15, I can still remember feeling overwhelmed when the time came to manage my very own farm in 2010. With my then husband and 1-year-old son, we purchased a 100-acre farm and also rented the 100 acres across the road. It seemed like a good idea to fill up the barns and pastures with animals right away – sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, llamas, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, ducks, dogs, super-sized garden, etc. I have often wished we’d have taken a little time to plan and learn the lay of the land before expanding the livestock so quickly - jumping in with both feet the first minute we arrived. Even with all my previous experience, I would have appreciated some guidance at the outset.
In 2018, my son and I were in a near fatal car accident where our pickup truck was struck head on by a car at high speed while hauling a hay wagon. Due to my extensive injuries, I’m no longer able to farm full time on my own. Instead of packing it in, I figured after a decade of farm ownership, and working naturally with countless animals and birds, I feel more than adequate to advise beginner farmers & homesteaders how to form a solid foundation to get started on.
Whether your dream is a distant one, you need help to find/buy your dream property or if your name is already on the deed, I can help get you set up to succeed! You will benefit from my down-to-earth approach - keeping you grounded in reality - while helping give wings to your dreams!
Sacred Eagle Farm: Homestay & Homestead Experiences is located near Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, Canada.