The Story of SweetMeadow Farm
Origins.
Sweet Meadow Farm began its story as LaRochelle Family Angus in 1996. Our first cows came from the dispersal of the Alfred State University herd in NY. Through selection and AI, the herd has grown on a foundation of maternal qualities, fast gaining “easy keepers”, and gentle dispositions. We’ve had our share of success at local New England shows, including the Eastern States Exposition, but we strive mainly to produce a quality meat product for our customers. Our cattle have access to the outdoors year-round. They have grass or hay in front of them at all times. Calves have a creep area in the barn and are weaned at about 6 months. Cows calve outdoors mainly in the spring, but we do have indoor mothering pens as needed. We make our own hay using local fields that we lease. We use federally inspected facilities for processing.
Finding a Home.
We moved to our location in Webster, NH, during the summer of 2002. The Scribner Homestead had not seen animals in three generations. We renamed the property Sweet Meadow Farm because of our lovely view across old fields and stone walls. An 1860 barn in disrepair, a tired and drafty old farmhouse, various outbuildings, and 70 acres seemed to be a project we could make work. Using local logging companies we’ve cleared 10 acres for grazing. The cows and sheep rotate through pastures as much as possible. A few animals summer across town and at another family property. We’ve added water lines, a new barn, smaller run-in sheds, a garage with upstairs studio, and lots of fencing and gates.
Growing in Curls.
In 2004 the Border Leicesters joined the farm. Initially there were just to be two ewes used for crafting and scenic value. They’ve grown into a flock of 10 ewes, focused on raising elite breeding stock that competes nationally. We’ve had the Supreme Champion Ewe at several shows, and the first-place flock at the North American International Livestock Exposition. We breed only white Border Leicesters, selling the top animals to other breeders, and sending a few lambs off for Orthodox Easter and a limited number for freezer lamb. Our chorizo is hard to keep in stock! The best fleeces are offered to handspinners via the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival or The Fiber Fest of New England. Yarn is often available. We also carry bed pads and duvets made from our own wool.
Growing in Stripes.
Belted Galloways joined the farm in 2010 with Iris receiving a young Heifer from the New England Galloway Group. We purchased another cow the following year from Moonshadow Farm in Maine, then 2 embryos from the Fryeburg Sale. One of those females went on to be the 2017 National Champion at the North American Livestock Exposition. While the Belties can’t beat the Angus for production, they have found a spot here at the farm, and we enjoy seeing them in the field.
Growing in Shades.
Our latest addition is the Natural Colored Blue Faced Leicester. We fell in love with their personalities while penned near Pitchfork Farm at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. We’ve bought three ewes from various US breeders, and using a ram from Cloverworks Farm in Vermont, we’ve slowly grown that flock. Their fleeces are such fun, and the rate of gain on the lambs can’t be beat.
And on it Goes…
Both Guy and Stephanie make this farm work with the support of family. With off-farm jobs, we’ve had to be creative with lambing time – CIDRs, school vacations and barn cameras help – and calving time – selecting for calving ease and top maternal qualities. Hay is mostly a one-man operation with wrapped round bales to save on labor. Shows have been a great way to judge the progress of our breeding selections but are waning as work demands increase. We process several animals each year and love providing quality meat for our family, friends and co-workers. The story of Sweet Meadow farm is still a work in progress, stay tuned to see how much more we grow!
