Hopeful Haven Homestead

05/31/2026

These are annoying. They change our soil, not our norm. The coffee grounds affect.

Question of the Month:

Q: How can I tell if a worm I’ve found on my property is an invasive jumping worm?

A: Jumping worms can be difficult to identify by appearance alone, but their behavior is distinctive. These worms are brown to grayish in color with a smooth, white band near the head that completely encircles the body.

If disturbed, jumping worms writhe powerfully, move in a fast snake-like motion, and may even lose their tails as a defense mechanism.

You’re most likely to find them in gardens, compost piles, or nearby woodlands, usually in the upper few inches of soil. Rapidly disappearing mulch or a noticeable reduction in leaf litter can also be signs that jumping worms are present.

If you dig into the soil, you may notice grainy castings and worms quickly slithering away.

Start looking for adult jumping worms in June. While adults do not survive the winter, their offspring overwinter in cocoons and reach adulthood by mid-summer.

UNH Extension Yard & Garden

05/30/2026

Our "super aggressive" LGDs are all smiles for our amazing Amazon driver! These girls get the best treats from our wonderful delivery people, and they absolutely adore them! Our UPS driver will come up to the fence and have a dog on each side of him on the fence while he gives the girls loves. While they might sound and look tough and aren't keen on other dogs near the house (unless they're familiar faces), people are a whole different story. Then again that is one of the reasons to have this amazing breed on the farm. 😄🐾

05/24/2026

Yesterday was awesome! I really appreciate all the help! We are almost done putting the fence up. If anyone is around come by we will be continuing today. I wish I took pictures. 🤩

05/09/2026

With a Heavy Heart and Deep Regret

It is with a truly broken heart that I’m writing this, but I have to do what is best for my animals and my family. Due to my health challenges, which are not improving and are unfortunately getting worse, I find myself in a position where I can no longer provide the physical care our Livestock Guardian Dogs, Lily and Daisy, require and deserve. I am considering a rehome.

Our fencing has been failing, and I am physically unable to repair or maintain it. Because of this, the girls—mainly Lily—have been finding ways to escape. It isn’t fair to them, and I am simply devastated that I have to find them a new home where they can be safe and secure.

About Our Sweet Girls:

Size & Age: They will be a year old in the upcoming months. They are very large dogs and will continue to grow and fill out.

Veterinary Status: They are completely up to date on all shots and checkups. They are not yet fixed or chipped, so a new owner will need to coordinate that with their vet.

The Personalities: They are incredibly sweet, though they take their jobs seriously! They will approach and sound intimidating to strangers—showing teeth and barking—but it is all a warning. They have never followed through; it’s just their way of protecting the farm.

Lily: She is the "charger" but surprisingly skittish once you get to know her. She is a hero who has personally saved our chickens from foxes.

Daisy: While she is our dedicated barker, she is the ultimate lovebug. She will roll right over for pets, follow you everywhere, and force herself onto your lap or under your hand for affection.

Their Work Ethic:
Since Lily and Daisy arrived, we have had zero livestock losses. We previously had massive issues with bobcats and foxes, but these two stopped that entirely. They are true farm dogs—they belong on the land. They bark a lot (including at night) and are not meant to be kept strictly inside, though they can be brought in at night if you choose.

Our Future:
I wish with all my heart things were different. While we won't be replacing livestock once they are gone because of my health, I plan to continue with our fruits, vegetables, and bees for as long as I possibly can.

05/04/2026

🐢 Turtle season is here — and your sightings can make a difference!

As turtles emerge to bask, nest, and wander, it’s the perfect time to get outside — and help protect New Hampshire’s turtle populations while you’re at it.

Join NH Fish and Game turtle biologist Josh Megysey and Harris Center ecologist Nate Marchessault for this live Zoom talk to learn how your turtle photos can contribute to real conservation work. From snapping a quick picture to submitting data, you’ll discover how easy it is to turn a chance encounter into something meaningful.

We’ll cover how to report sightings through RAARP and iNaturalist.org, how that data is used by biologists, and how to share information responsibly to keep turtles safe from harm.

📅 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
🕠 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
🎥 Can’t attend live? Register anyway to receive the recording!

👉 Register here to get the Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/turtle-sightings

💚 Let’s make this a great season for turtles — and for the people who care about them.

This program is offered through the Monadnock Region Turtle Conservation Initiative, a partnership between the Harris Center, the Cheshire County Conservation District, the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions, NH Fish and Game, NH Department of Environmental Services, USDA NRCS, and Moosewood Ecological.

05/03/2026

Fresh eggs available today at our farmstand on Laliberte and Brown, Candia! 🥚 If we're out, text us at 603-231-6389—we've got more!

Our happy chickens, ducks, and geese free-range in our pesticide-free yard, and our pond is a feast for our waterfowl. You might meet our sweet pups (they might not seem sweet, though), Lily and Daisy, who are still in training. They might bark and approach, but they're harmless—just give a shout or ignore them! Your visit helps us with their training.

04/18/2026

🐢 Rare Neighbor Alert!

Our Conservation Commission mentioned it’s "Turtle Time," and they weren't kidding! I spotted a Blanding’s Turtle right here by the house.
These guys are listed as S1 (Critically Imperiled) in NH, meaning they are state-endangered and very rare. If you see one, please report the sighting to help track and protect the population!

Quick Tips:
-Look for the "Smile": They have a very distinct bright yellow throat.
-Keep 'em Local: If you see one crossing the road, move it to the side it was already heading toward. Never move it to a different pond or area; they have a "home range" and will just try to cross more roads to get back.
-Report it: Send a photo and location to [email protected].

Check out more info here:
https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/species-occurring-nh/blandings-turtle

12/27/2025

Winter season typically presents challenges for our chickens, geese, and ducks. Currently, egg production is temporarily halted, which is expected during this time. We will share an update once our hens resume laying.

What is causing this?
- Chickens require approximately 12-14 hours of light daily to lay eggs. Ducks need less light, but still more than we currently provide.
- Geese are generally seasonal layer birds.
- Most of our hens have recently gone through molting, a natural process where they shed old feathers and grow new, healthier ones.
- Cold temperatures also impact their productivity, as they are sensitive to harsh weather conditions.

Our Birds Are Healthy!
- They receive additional protein and treats to support their well-being.
- We increase coop cleaning frequency to maintain a hygienic environment.
- We typically do not use heaters, as extreme cold presents a fire hazard, but we monitor temperatures closely.
- To prevent frostbite, we apply protective balms like Vaseline and Bag Balm to their combs and feet.
- We change water daily for our chickens and twice daily for our ducks and geese.
- Bedding is provided for our ducks and geese to help prevent bumblefoot infections.

At Hopeful Haven Homestead, we are committed to our Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals. We intentionally do not use artificial lighting because we believe in respecting the natural seasonal behaviors of our birds. Providing a period of rest allows our hens to recover and rejuvenate, promoting their overall health. Forcing production during winter can cause unnecessary stress and health issues, as eggs are produced by drawing nutrients from their bodies. During colder months, hens' reproductive systems naturally shut down, aligning with their natural lifecycle and seasonal needs.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to sharing an update as soon as our hens are ready to lay again.

11/28/2025

Winter vibes for our LGDs, Lily and Daisy's, first snow time. They seem delighted and love the snow, and the trampoline that they leap on is so much more fun with snow.

11/27/2025

We apologize for our egg shortage. Both chicken and duck eggs have been in short supply as our girls are currently molting and preparing for winter. It looks pretty painful for some of them. This is a normal process. The feathers that replace the old ones will be more beautiful, some with more colors added.