eMDee Farm

10/15/2026

Turkeys in with the horses today…

10/11/2026

Trixie is just about 13 months old. I started working with her about 3 months ago after not touching her since she was a couple days old. She was weaned at 6 months, turned in with a couple of fillies a year older until 3 months ago, when she was turned in with my 26 yr. old heart horse, a mare who has taught her to trust and mind her manners.
Trixie seeks my attention now. She accepted a halter the first time without any fuss and today she learned that the lead rope means there are limits to her freedom, but still without any fuss. Giving to pressure, accepting a leader, finding the limits, and learning the “ropes”.

Our short lessons are yielding huge benefits… for Trixie and for me.

10/10/2026

Old fashioned turkeys…

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

The Autumn issue of The Livestock Conservancy Newsletter is on its way to members!

Inside, you’ll find questions to ask when buying heritage breed pigs to help you make a more informed purchasing decision, plus the story of a mother-daughter team expanding their farm with a new micromill—and much more from the world of heritage breed conservation.

Our quarterly publication is one of the benefits of membership in The Livestock Conservancy. Not a member yet? Join today and help support the conservation of rare livestock and poultry breeds.

The magazine is a popular benefit for our members. Don't miss out! Join today by following the link in the comments.

10/05/2026

They ran ducks under the apple trees because spray cans did not exist yet and slugs did.

INDIAN RUNNER, upright build moves fast through rows, clears ground beetles and slugs without damaging low fruit.
KHAKI CAMPBELL, prolific layers that patrol daily for cutworms and earwigs along every trunk line.
WELSH HARLEQUIN, calm enough to avoid bark damage while clearing codling moth larvae from the mulch.
CAYUGA, dark feathers hide orchard dirt, targets Japanese beetles and leafhopper nymphs in ground cover.
MAGPIE, active foragers that eliminate tent caterpillar pupae and snails from stone fruit bases year round.
BUFF ORPINGTON, heavy steady birds that clear armyworms and wireworms without spooking at fruit drop.

Commercial orchards used ducks as integrated pest management long before that phrase was invented...

10/04/2026

Interested in improving your herd or flock while maintaining diversified genetics? Watch our Understanding Conservation Breeding Webinar! The recording is now available. A link is in the comments.

10/01/2026

Records about livestock…

09/30/2026

A yearling, coming across her pasture alone… to the sound of her name for just the reward of scratches and pets. I dreamed of this long ago when I was a little cowgirl… grateful to have my dreams fulfilled.

09/27/2026

A big step today! Haltered for the first time. Giving to pressure from the halter to both sides. Very calm and willing like her dam.