Gwendolyn Farms is a family farm and animal sanctuary, operating since
1996 on the principle that every creature deserves a life as good as
Gwendolyn, a very happy Great Dane. She lives at the farm with other
animals who enjoy a happy life. The three cows, MooMoo, Methuselah,
and Lili, eat a diet of organic grass and alfalfa hay, with supplemental grain as
needed. They have comfortable stalls to protect them from rain and
winter winds, yet enjoy the freedom to graze on large fenced
pastures. Through rotational grazing techniques they contribute to
the soil. In addition to scattering natural fertilizer they aerate the
soil as they walk.
To be certified organic, a farm must have had no artificial chemicals
or pesticides used for three years. Gwendolyn Farms has been all natural
and chemical free since 1996. Weeds are controlled through
natural methods, mowing, good soil preparation and picking.
Honey also lives at the farm. She is an older mare, who had some
rough times earlier in life. She still has a few permanent scars
from whip marks, but her health and attitude have improved since her
arrival at Gwendolyn Farms. She has a colt, named Sputnik, because
no one knew he was coming. They both enjoy the 100% organic hay,
with grain supplements as necessary.
Daisy is a Tennessee Walker who joined our family in 2004 as a
gift. She has become fast friends with the other horses, loves to go
on rides with Soma around the farm, and spends most of her free time rubbing
noses with Sputnik.
They each have large box stalls, and enjoy the freedom to walk the
pastures, visit with their friends the cows, or stay inside during
inclement weather.
The farm is home to three female llamas: Courtney, Mama Llama, and her
new baby. These regal animals, which can run up to 30mph, are well
known for their guard capabilities as well as their high quality
wool. They share a barn with three alpacas. The South American
Alpaca is a smaller cousin to the llama, renowned for its warm wool which
protects the animal from the bitter cold of the Andean mountains.
They are very intelligent and sensitive animals. They share a
pasture with eighteen Moldavi ducks who were rescued when their owner
could no longer keep them safe from an encroaching coyote population.
The animal sanctuary consists of 235 acres of hunt-free land which
includes a bird sanctuary, a bat home, and carefully protected woodland
for deer protection. Located in the heart of prime hunting
territory, the woodland provides needed protective habitat for deer, wild
turkey, coyotes and other wildlife. With three streams running
through it, and several heavily wooded ravines, it is a natural haven for
deer in hunting season.
The goal at Gwendolyn Farms is to contribute to the life of animals by
creating and preserving an ongoing natural habitat and sanctuary for as
many animals as possible.
Each year, we add to the sanctuary by planting trees, desperately
needed by the wildlife for food and protection during hunting
season. Many hunters leave food and salt licks for deer in order to
get them accustomed to visiting their land, then in hunting season they
are killed when they return to their usual feeding ground.
At Gwendolyn Farms we provide regular drops of organic hay and grain
for the deer in safe areas, deep in our innermost ravines. Here they
are well protected from hunters and predators. We also plant apple
trees, favorites of the local deer population, to teach them the safe
areas and provide food for many years to come. We leave salt licks
and mineral blocks with the necessary trace elements of essential minerals
so that the animals will stay strong and healthy, and to prevent Chronic
Wasting Disease.
Every year we reclaim more highly erodable land which was previously
used for plowing. Instead of turning over this soil every year,
adding to erosion problems, we keep the ground intact, fertilize
naturally, and plant native trees and plants. This creates a natural
habitat for deer, coyote, wild turkey, wild grouse and other wildlife.
The tall, undisturbed native grasses provide nesting places for birds,
and lines of bushes make a great cover for small animals to travel without
being seen by predators.
Soil is tested annually, and natural fertilizer from our friendly four
legged creatures is applied as necessary.
