Our Jersey Herd, Steadying Supplies, and a Village Taking Shape

A quick, update from the land and a small step toward the Sovereign Village we’re building together.

On the land this week

• Jersey winter set-up. We prepared a sheltered area in the barn for our Jersey herd. They’re sensitive to cold, so we’ve laid deep bedding to keep them warm and dry through winter.

• Groundworks. We’re installing drainage by the team barn car park before resurfacing. We’ll also extend a hard track down toward the new members’ cabin beside the forest garden, so access stays easy in wet months.

• Eggs + flock calm. Our egg count dipped these past weeks. Cold snaps can do that, and the extra ducks in the paddock may have unsettled the hens. We’ve increased feed and, once the duck ponds are finished, we’ll give the ducks their own paddock to restore a calmer rhythm for the layers.

A hard loss

Early this week we lost Olivia, our oldest Jersey who had just given us our first heifer calf. She developed a sudden, severe mastitis. In plain English: bacteria in the udder can release toxins into the bloodstream, triggering toxic shock. Even with warmth, fluids, and constant care, a cow can decline very quickly.

Matt and Joe camped out through the night to tend her and keep her comfortable. She passed at 6am. We’re heartbroken, and we’ll honour her by staying true to high welfare and the herbal pasture care that keeps the rest of the herd strong.

Why these details matter

This is the day-to-day of a member-owned, regenerative farm; small scale, highest standards, and always learning. Each barn, track, hedge, and paddock we shape is a brick in a larger idea: a Sovereign Village where food sits at the foundation, and life grows around it.

We’re designing a place where you can step into real community, with shared spaces to work and learn, and also step back to your own quiet home.

Join the circle

Our next community call is this Thursday at 6pm. We’ll hear from our latest contributors, share next steps, and talk about opening conversations with neighbours as we bring this vision to life.

Join the call →