In this photo we are doing an ultrasound scan on a ewe to confirm pregnancy and get a fetal count.
A core value at Wee Family Farm is mentoring and empowering aspiring farmers who share our passion for animal welfare and land stewardship. We enjoy hosting like-minded visitors and offer an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a variety of small farm and homestead skills:
Livestock care: nutrition, breeding, lambing, hoof care, parasite management...
Pasture management, grazing management, soil fertility, plant selection, weeds...
Gardening: vegetables, fruits, flowers, natives, design, pruning, propagation...
Farm construction: basic carpentry, irrigation systems, plumbing, fence building...
Food Preservation: cheese making, baking, canning, and drying.
Soapmaking
Felting with Wool, needle or wet
Whether you are interested in coming as a helpful visitor or for focused instruction tailored to your specific interest, please email ann@weefamilyfarm.com with a description of your interests and availability. We look forward to hearing from you. We are proud to be an LGBTQ friendly space.
Immerse yourself in farm life with our Practicum Training. Come for a day - or longer - for hands-on learning while lending a hand at whatever needs doing. We charge visitors $10, with a meal included. Ages 18 years and up. In the past we used to the title "Farm Volunteers" for helpful visitors. However, we learned recently that labor law in USA makes it illegal for us to host volunteers as we don't have non-profit status. I find this super unfortunate, yet, my value of empowering aspiring farmers and homesteaders remains the same. So now we charge a modest fee for providing practicum instruction, not "Volunteers", and no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Focused Instruction: What part of farm and homestead life is your new passion? Improve your skills with Farmer Ann. I have been living and teaching old-fashioned skills to both adults and Children for more than 20 years. Let her me your guide on the topic of your choice. All ages welcome. See topics at the top of the page, Availability varies seasonally.
Half-Day Farm Experience $80 for one or two people, $30 each additional person.
Full-Day Farm Experience $125 for one or two people, $45 each additional person.
Some activities have an additional material fee... but you get to go home with what you make...Bars of soap? Felted slippers? A loaf of sourdough? What do you want to learn to make?
More about on farm practicum experience: several individuals or couples come to Wee Family Farm for a day long visit once or twice per month. These helpful visitors join Farmer Ann, working side-by-side to gain hand-on skills and experience how farming tasks change with the seasons. We have capacity to host others with a similar arrangement.
For those coming from outside the area, we are open to consider a longer stay, with sleeping accommodation as bring your own, RV, travel trailer, or tent. This can be a great way to trial a long term co-farming arrangement.
A favorite for many is lambing time. In 2026 most lambs will be born late February and early March, with a smaller group of young ewes bred for May-June births. I feel proud that barn sleep outs, to be available as sheep midwife, has led to zero mortality in recent years. Learning how to assist when birthing complications arise is valuable skill for all aspiring shepherds.
Upcoming seasonal tasks include
December - February: Fruit tree and grape pruning. Building livestock fences to NRCS specifications.
January - February: Sheep sanitary cuts, vaccination, training for milking stanchion.
Late January - May: Start seeds indoors for transplanting when days are longer. Garden bed preparation and planting.
Late February - March: lamb births, 24 hours/ day on call as sheep midwife.
April - May: This time of year is focused on the garden, preparing the soil and planting, milking, and dairy processing.
May - June: Milking, and cheesemaking is a big part late spring and early summer. It is a time to thin fruit so apples size up well. Prepare and plant garden beds with veggies, fruits, and flowers.