Visit us at Healthy Kids Day event!

Rocky in a rush to get to Healthy Kids Day.

We'll be at Healthy Kids Day at the Neenah/Menasha YMCA--this Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. Rocky our mini-mule, Ted the Pony, newborn kid goats, KeNeely and Dora will all be there too. Come and see us!!!

Sheep Shearing Day

Opsie-Daisy before her hair cut.

Or should I should say wool cut?

How it's done.

Look at all the wool Opsie-Daisy produced. Her fleece now lays on the ground before it is gathered up to give to a local gal who will spin it into yarn. On average a sheep will produce 8.2 lbs. of wool a year.

After the shearing they get a pedicure too!










If you look closely you can see the lanolin on the back of this Suffolk ewe. It wasn't visible when she had her wool but now that she is sheared you can see the yellow lanolin.

Lanolin is a fatty substance obtained from wool and used in soaps, cosmetics, and ointments.

Once the shearing is done the sheep are let out to run and play.

Dora

Meet Dora. Born on 4/5/10. Just one of the new arrivals at the farm waiting to meet you when we open on May 6th.

Dora invites you to celebrate "MOM" on Mother's Day at Mulberry Lane Farm, Sunday May 9th. One FREE Mom per family group!

It's a Girl!

CLOUD

(Short for Thunder Cloud)

Born on Saturday April 10, 2010
Thunder, Cloud's protective mom.

Cloud at Play
It's amazing how lively a filly can be at just 1 day old!

Happy Easter

Hippity Easter from the Mulberry Lane Farm Critters!

KeNeely born 3.20.10

Today when Farmer Pat went to feed the farm animals he noticed one Nanny goat didn't run out to the grain bin with all the other Nannies. He knew instantly there was good reason. Sure enough, upon further investigation, he found our first born kid of the season. (3/20/2010)

KeNeely you ask? Odd name for a kid! Let me explain...

With my Dad heavy on my mind today (being the 16th anniversary of his passing) I wanted to name the new little fella after him. I made a call out to my siblings (there's 8 of us) for suggestions. My sister Gala came up with the perfect fit. Remembering my Dad's nick-name, she suggested calling him KeNeely. So, KeNeely it is! Think he'd approve?

Sure Signs of Spring at Mulberry Lane Farm

I found 3 very apparent signs of spring as I walked around the farm today.

Blooming pussy-willows and crocuses.

The arrival of the first spring chicks.

and...B I G bellies about to burst with new life!

...and 7 days later (3.27.10)...Sis delivered a litter of 5!

Fleet Farm Ad

Recognize anyone? If you guessed the turkey you're right! One of Mulberry Lane Farm's many turkeys are now rich and famous...well, maybe not rich...but how many turkeys do you personally know on the cover of an ad catalog?!?

A STAR is BORN!

100+ year old Mulberry Tree

Mulberry Lane Farm is named after the 100+ year old tree that still majestically stands at the farm. Although old and has lost many of it's limbs, the tree still bears mulberry fruit. While on your tour of the farm your guide will share the story of the mulberry tree we obtained:

Excerpt from “The Schwabenlander Family, A Genealogical Record and Brief History” book, 1992.

"… However, they also had their fun. The one thing which was often mentioned by Frances in later years, was the way she and her brother, Anthony, along with her two sisters, Marie and Rose would climb the old mulberry tree, which was near the apple orchard. Once they got up into the tree, each one had their own branch, which was their make-believe residence. Here they would climb from one branch to another to visit with their neighbor on the other branch all in mimicry. There was, however, one restriction to climbing the mulberry tree. The children were not allowed to wear shoes while climbing for fear that this might damage the tree.

This particular mulberry tree was planted by John Prechtel back in the 1880’s when he also planted an apple orchard, of which some apple trees along with the mulberry tree are still bearing fruit today. By the early 1920’s, when this mulberry tree was probably in its prime, it bore enough berries to feed all the birds in the whole neighborhood, and then some. However, if the birds had not already picked most of the berries before they were really ripe, the family would use some in making jam and jellies. From all indications, Frances and three of her siblings, namely, Anthony, Marie and Rose were a very closely knit group throughout most of their adolescent and teenage years, whether at work or at play. Even today, some of their little adventures from the days when Rose was only eight years old are often talked about. …"

Oh how they grow!

Granddaughter Aaliyah and I spent time visiting with the ponies at the farm today. It dawned on me how much Storm (born March 30th 2009) and Princes (born May 19th 2009) had GROWN! Thought you'd enjoy seeing for yourself.

Storm THEN...Farmer Pat had to kneel to be close to him.

Storm NOW...he's as tall as Aaliyah!



THEN...Princes next to her mom, Blondie...NOW she's as tall as her mom!

Princess was all legs when she was born. Now she's all mischief.