Bluestem Springs Farm

Bluestem Springs Farm Bluestem Springs Farm raises grass fed sheep.

06/25/2026

I'm not just raising sheep this summer. Apparently I'm raising barn swallows too.

Baby barn swallows have taken up residence on my back porch, and the parents have been making nonstop trips to keep them fed.

They're some of the hardest-working birds on the farm. A single barn swallow family can consume thousands of flying insects over the course of a season, making them great neighbors to have around livestock. I see lots flying over the pastures too.

It's another reminder that a healthy farm isn't just about the animals you plan for. It's also about creating a place where wildlife can thrive alongside them.

06/24/2026

Good morning from my front porch. Have a great day!

Pasture Move DayToday the sheep moved to their next paddock.One of the goals with rotational grazing is to keep livestoc...
06/21/2026

Pasture Move Day

Today the sheep moved to their next paddock.

One of the goals with rotational grazing is to keep livestock moving before they graze plants too heavily. They had done a pretty good job on the bird’s-foot trefoil in the previous paddock, which is one of my favorite plants in the pasture. It is a legume like clover, but it also contains tannins that can help reduce parasite problems in sheep while providing high-quality forage.

The sheep pasture is divided into 17 paddocks. If they spend about 2½ to 3 days in each paddock, that gives the grazed areas roughly 45 to 60 days of rest before the flock returns. Sometimes I can stretch that rest period even longer by grazing the woods or other areas of the farm.

That recovery time is important. It allows the grass and legumes to regrow, rebuild root reserves, and stay productive through the season. It also helps break parasite cycles because many parasite larvae die before the sheep return to that paddock.

Every move is a balance between forage growth, weather, parasite management, and what the sheep are telling me. This move took place after about 2½ days, and I’ll keep adjusting as conditions change.

For now, the flock seems pretty happy with their fresh pasture.

🐑🌱

06/19/2026

Good morning from my back porch.

The bird feeders are busy this morning. Orioles, cardinals, blue jays, grosbeaks, hummingbirds, purple finches, woodpeckers, and plenty of others stopping by for breakfast.

Beyond the feeders, the horses are out grazing in the pasture, barn swallows are swooping over the pond, and everything feels peaceful for a little while before the day's work begins.

It is hard to ask for a better view with a cup of coffee.

06/18/2026

A few of the barn swallow babies were peeking out of their nest this morning. Yesterday they were making their first flights, and with all the stormy weather we've had, I was glad to see them safely tucked back in.

I have quite a few barn swallow nests around the house, and I'm always happy to see them. Mom and dad spend their days swooping over the pond catching flying insects. A single barn swallow can eat hundreds of bugs a day, making them some of the hardest-working farm helpers around.

Good habitat doesn't just support wildlife. It helps the whole farm.

06/17/2026

The babies are figuring out the roost tonight. 🐥

Four made it up before dark, and the rest are still deciding if sleeping on the ground is a better life choice. It’s fun watching those little instincts kick in.

Also keeping an eye on tomorrow’s storms. Hoping everyone, human and animal, stays safe.

06/16/2026

Took Freedom out for a lazy ride around the farm today. We went down the road, checked on the sheep, rode past the sunflower field, and through some areas where the honeysuckle was recently cleared out.

One of the coolest parts was finding a third random old apple tree hidden out in the woods. Once you start removing invasives, it is amazing what you find still hanging on underneath.

There’s a bunch of wild black raspberries in the woods. We pretty much cleaned out the ripe berries on Sunday, but there are still a few left out there.

Freedom is always willing to stop while I get distracted by plants and trees, which makes him a pretty good partner for these slower rides. Just a nice summer afternoon on the farm. 🌻🐑🍎🐴

06/14/2026

During this stretch of rain I’ve noticed my swinging mineral feeder keeps most of the weather out, but hard storms still blow enough moisture in that it gets damp. Even humid days don’t keep it dry in my barn.

So now I just carry a few days’ worth at a time in my Mule. Before refilling, I wipe the feeder out with a rag and make sure it’s completely dry. They won’t eat it if it’s wet.

One side has free-choice baking soda, and the other has the Premier 1 sheep mineral mixed with garlic salt. The garlic is supposed to help discourage flies.

The sheep don’t gorge on it. They just stop by and take little bits.

06/13/2026

Good morning from the horse pasture.

06/11/2026

Good morning from the pasture!

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Potomac, IL
61865

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