Sheep, and Present-Day Shepherds

#Rewilding - A #BioDiversity Love Story A couple times of year, our forest south of Topsy is a causeway for our sheep. We've chosen not to farm this land - We like the woods to be wild. Our goal is to have wild spaces... 1/3

Our financial system sucks at keeping places wild; Those beautiful trees can be monetized only if cut down For a farm, that temptation is huge: Cut all the trees = mortgage paid off... But then what? What are we working so hard for if we can't be our own Lorax? 2/3

#TopsyFarms can't do much about the rainforests; maybe eat less burgers & avoid palm oil. But what we can do is work to preserve our own wild. Right here. There is value & benefit to us silly humans maintaining wild spaces. Thank you for following our Journey

We visit Amherst Island in Lake Ontario several times a year. It's just over an hour away from Belleville, including the ferry ride, and yet it feels like an escape from everyday life, whatever this is these days. We find places to walk and picnic, we get all bird-nerdy, and on most trips we visit Topsy Farms. Topsy is a sheep farm and more. The shop offers products from wool, to blankets, to pillows, to lamb, and more. We've purchased a variety of 'em and have been pleased by them all. https://www.topsyfarms.com/

We also appreciate that the different generations of the family are committed to living sustainably and honourably in that landscape. We've walked back into the woods on one of their trails and brought our grandlads along to see the lambs. 

Recently their Twitter feed described their efforts to maintain the woodland portion of their land, even though grazing amidst the trees would please the herd, and harvesting, or over-harvesting, would be a welcome source of income. Many places in the world, including New Zealand and Great Britain are addressing the effects of over-grazing and deforestation due to sheep farming. Advocates for a more sustainable form of raising sheep meet strong resistance from some quarters. It' s encouraging to know that this family which obviously needs to make a living from the farm is choosing to look at the bigger picture of the place they live and the planet which is home for all of us. 

                           Topsy Farms -- Amherst Island 

In the bible, sheep represent prosperity in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. And shepherds are a big deal, including King David as a boy. Jesus told sheep and shepherd parables to share the Good News. And most liturgical denominations observe Good Shepherd Sunday. It's a great day to sing The Lord's My Shepherd or any one of several hymn versions of the 23rd psalm.

So, isn't it important for all of us Groundlings to realize that these stories and metaphors aren't just dusty images from the past? 

We can admire and support the present day shepherds of the sheep who are doing their best to care for both their critters and Creation. Thank you Topsy Farms.