New Roots Farm

05/31/2026

We had so much fun this Saturday with our local 4H & FFA students doing our Handle with Care youth livestock workshop. The students got to practice gathering sheep, haltering them, trimming toenails etc. while learning about record keeping, animal behavior, and biosecurity. Big shoutout to Racheal Slattery from UMD’s college of ag science and AJ from Flying Circus Farm for helping today and making sure we all had fun. Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission sponsored the event so we could make this opportunity free/donation based. The last shoutout goes to the sheep themselves who got voluntold to be our outdoor classroom participants for the day. They were surprisingly well behaved…

05/28/2026

The dogs are really starting to pull their weight around here, especially Rue. Today the border collies basically took shifts so they could take turns loading yearlings out of one field, sorting yearlings and cull ewes out of another field, and loading the last of the market lambs onto the trailer so we could haul them to the butcher. We made one last dog swap and Rue went to the butcher to help unload because sometimes the sheep don’t want to go down the hallway to the holding pens. The lane is poorly designed and there is often a puddle of water left over from cleaning up after yesterday’s hogs that the sheep don’t want to cross. I don’t blame them. Animals are sensory creatures and the way light reflects in the puddle can create a startling visual distortion they don’t feel safe crossing. I also hate that puddle. I have been cursing that puddle’s existence for years. The dogs are a huge help at the farm and we are all still learning together. Rue is a much better driver who can push stock. Rye can be softer and quieter which is good for moving animals in proximity to electric fencing or loading them into the trailer. They also have freed up the farmers. The sheep Rue gathered and loaded tonight were in a 3 acre field. She was able to get them onto the trailer with only one farmer who was mostly needed because Rue can’t operate the swinging door latch. We didn’t have to do any running around or wrestling sheep onto the trailer with Rye’s help. Rue being able to ride along and unload at the plant means I can stay home and do admin. The dogs have given us the gift of time, their companionship, and a better understanding of how sheep move and see the world.

05/23/2026

Do you have a kid in 4H or FFA? Do they want to grow their livestock handling skills or get some experience so they can do a livestock project? Join us at the farm for a hands on youth workshop!

New Roots Farm is hosting an awesome hands on workshops for youth - Sign up Now!!!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/handle-with-care-a-youth-stockmanship-workshop-tickets-1990201849306?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=&utm-share-source=mobile-search-results

05/16/2026

Come see us this Saturday! - https://mailchi.mp/cef64658c9a0/come-see-us-this-saturday We've got pork shoulder on sale and bones are BOGO! The farm store is open from 11-2 this Saturday!

05/09/2026

We're back! Come see us this Saturday - https://mailchi.mp/newroots/were-back-come-see-us-this-saturday Farm store from 11-2. We are brimming with our bestsellers and have TONS of asparagus. Come stock up! Bones are BOGO and we are running a 2/for special on sausage grillers.

05/04/2026

Aaaaand that’s a wrap! We had a magical weekend. I am exhausted, but so full of joy and gratitude. I love the festival. It is inspiring and humbling to be surrounded by so many people who show up for the love of sheep and fiber. Thousands of people descend on the fairgrounds every year for the love of sheep. It is actually wild when you think about it and maybe a little insane. The festival comes together because of thousands of volunteer hours. I will be eternally grateful to the people who make the magic happen. I’ve been almost every year since I was around 6 years old. Now that I’m a shepherd and a wool producer the festival hits different and is even more special. Yeah I can always blow my budget on pottery, yarn, and notions, but the real magic for me is in the community. I love having a weekend with my sheep farming friends where we can laugh, tease each other, commiserate, and catch up. I came home with no unsold wool, new friends, two sheep, fleece show ribbons, dope pottery, and a full heart. I wouldn’t change a thing. See you in 2027!

05/02/2026

reminder we are closed this weekend! - https://mailchi.mp/newroots/reminder-we-are-closed-this-weekend order online or catch us next weekend in the store.

04/25/2026

https://mailchi.mp/newroots/fresh-picks-asparagus-and-more-in-the-farm-store Come see us in the Farm Store this weekend. We've got lots of fresh asparagus and all your favorite meats. Come stock up because we are closed next weekend ! Saturday 11-2.