2020 has definitely been a unique year for everyone. I hope this blog, from Wally here at Sandy Acres, reaches you and your family in hopeful spirits as the New Year is about to arrive. As much as I’ve enjoyed extra time with Mom, Marie, this year, I know she’s hoping for a great 2021.

With all the things going on in the world, Mom and I tried to remember and enjoy the small things: sunrises, sunsets, and lots of animal snuggles. We had many baby animals born this year including a March, May, and September lambing season. For cattle births, they started in February and concluded in August with a total of 38 calves born. The last baby animal born this year was a Miniature Donkey born the day before Thanksgiving and his name is Wonky. We will talk more about him in my next blog.

To be honest, I know that the virus really disrupted all the humans’ lives this year, but I really enjoyed Mom, Marie, being home with me most of the summer. She really looks forward to taking the Miniature Herefords to many fairs and shows throughout the summer and fall, but most of them were canceled this year. She did finally have the opportunity to go to a small breed show the first weekend of October, Mini Mafia Upper Midwest Regional Show, and the Kids & Cows event the following weekend.

Another highlight of the year was that the Farmer’s Market on the Farm grew in neighborhood awareness and was enjoyed as a local location for many to get meat, veggies, and other items throughout the summer on Monday evenings. The Farm is still open every Monday evening from 3pm-7pm for Beef and Lamb meat purchases (or by appointment) for the winter and spring. We are excited to also host the Farmer’s Market again in 2021.

Happy New Year to y’all! We are very excited for 2021 and new adventures!

Sincerely, Wally the Trusted Border Collie

January has come and gone, so we’ve all start thinking spring and the arrival of new babies! Mom (Marie) took a little vacation away from us in January and went to the Denver Stock Show with some close friends of hers. They hauled her friend’s shorthorn heifer out to the show to be shown. She said it was a long drive but she really wants to take some mini Herefords out to the show some year soon. I sure did miss her. She was only gone 5 days but it seemed like 5 weeks to me.

February is a month my mom (Marie) has really been looking forward to. We start having new lambs and new calves. We have 49 ewes to lamb that are due starting February 22.  It’s an exhausting but fun time seeing all the new lambs. We never know what color they are going to be. I think that is what makes it that much more fun.

We have 7 cows that are going to have their first calf starting around February 21. My mom is so… nervous because her first one due is Carly and she has been one of our show heifers the last 2 years and is bred to a grand champion bull. She keeps talking about sleeping in the barn. I don’t know if she is serious or just teasing me. All I know is I will be camped out wherever she is just in case she needs my help with anything.

We have spent the winter working with some of our calves from last year teaching them to lead so that they can go to new homes. We always keep some for ourselves of course too. We currently have 5 heifers for sale so check out our website to see them and don’t be afraid to contact Marie if you have any questions. She loves to talk cows. Heres a link: For Sale

Don’t forget that Sandy Acres Meats is open every Monday from 3-7pm. Marie is also available by appointment 715-579-2917. The Valentine’s Day Special runs until Sunday, February 16^th. The special is $6 per pound of steak (Sirloin, Rib, and T-bone). During this special, if you purchase $25 of steak or more (& are 21+), get a free complimentary gift of a bottle of local wine (while supplies last through the 16th).

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love, Wally

2020 is here! It’s the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and even more fun!

Last time you heard from me was on Marie’s birthday, September 24th. That evening, there was a tornado in the Town of Wheaton. The tornado affected many of our neighbors just a mile away from us. It was devastating, but reminded us to be thankful for the safety of family and neighbors as well as the goodwill of men. The community came together quickly to clean up the damaged homes and pick up the remnants left in farm fields. The pathway of tornado left a lasting change to the view of our countryside. The rebuild of homes and properties will continue into 2020.

In October, Marie attended two events with the beef cattle. First was Kids & Cows in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Marie enjoys that event, because its purpose is to allow people of all ages the opportunity to learn about showing beef cattle, fitting them for show, and judging. It was actually snowing that day, but the event had a record number of kids and cows at the event (77 head of cattle and 81 participants).

Minnesota Beef Expo was the following weekend in October. Seven head of Miniature Herefords from Sandy Acres headed over there to the junior show. Four kids showed our cattle. They received five blues and our calf, Cadence, won Reserve Champion for the Miniature Hereford Division. That was the final show of the 2019 season and Marie is already looking forward to 2020!

In contrast, I am glad my mom, Marie, is home more now. I even had the opportunity to go on a road trip with her and Jeff! We delivered sheep to Withee, Wisconsin and I was able to help unload them. Moving sheep is my favorite job. Even the most stubborn ram was no match for me.

Throughout the fall, Jeff harvested the corn and soybeans he planted this spring. He finished harvest prior to getting any significant amount of snow. He even was able to get a little over a hundred bales of (corn) stalks to bed animals with this winter prior to our early appearance of winter. While on the road trip, I observed that many farmers still have corn in their fields with snowfall coming so early.

I turned FOUR on Christmas Day! They say I’ve grown up a lot over these years, but I’ve actually just perfected my craft of herding so they don’t realize I’m still same old Wally. Mom even bought me my very own toys for a gift that she hides from all the other dogs that visit us so they don’t chew them.

In December, right before Christmas, we had the opportunity to sell two of our spring 2019 calves, Sarah and Hannah, to a family from Tennessee. Their new owners love them.

Today, New Year’s Day, we took a sleigh ride with Turbo. Mom has been taking Trixter and I out almost every week since show season ended. We started riding in the cart this fall, and now after all this snow, we’ve been going out in the sleigh.

Happy New Year! What does 2020 mean to you? To me, it’s a new year full of possibility and lots of lambs to herd soon!

Love, Wally (the trusted Border Collie at Sandy Acres)

I have an amazing announcement! It’s our master’s, our shepherd’s, our herdsman’s, our mom’s birthday today! Help me in wishing Marie a very Happy Birthday. All of us, her hoofed and pawed children, are singing our greetings this morning!!!!

This month, animals from the farm have enjoyed Farm-City Day’s Petting Zoo (September 7th) AND we’ve been having fall lambing!

Next Monday, September 30th will be the final Farmer’s Market on the Farm of the season. However, even after next Monday, Marie will be open every Monday from 3-7 for your meat purchases. As always, we will also be available by appointment for your convenience, Call Marie 715-579-2917. Come join us for the final Market of the season this Monday! Marie is already making plans and talking to vendors for next year!!!

Yours Truly, Wally (Sandy Acres Trusted Border Collie)

PS- Don’t forget to wish Marie a very Happy Birthday!

Woof woof!

Phew! We’ve been busy: Fun Day at the Farm in May, working with cattle for the fair, Farmers Market on the Farm every Monday, and then the FAIRS!

I cannot believe how fast this year has been going on the farm and all that’s been happening. I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to join us for a Monday afternoon at the Farmers Market. Coming up will be the final four Farmers Markets on the farm for this season, so join us September 9th, 16th, 23rd and/or 30th!!!! Marie offers a different meat special each Monday. There are other vendors there featuring products including bison, vegetables, jam, maple syrup, honey, and eggs. We cannot wait to see you!

June was busy training and preparing cattle for the Northern Wisconsin State Fair that is held in Chippewa Falls every July. We were able to show case a large group of nine Miniature Hereford Cattle since several people wanted the opportunity to show them. I, Wally, stayed home and took care of the farm while everyone was busy at the fair. From what they tell me, they had an amazing time (both the cattle and the humans)!

In August, seven Miniature Herefords and two trucks of people made their way to Iowa to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There was over 150 Miniature Herefords at this show! We are proud to say that Fiona won a first in her class, Cadence won Reserve Champion Junior Calf, and Calea with Cadence won Reserve Champion in Cow-Calf Class. All the humans say that it was so much fun to be at a fair with so much competition! They cannot wait to go again in 2020.

This Saturday, we will be at Chippewa Valley Farm-City day with some animals for you and your family to meet and pet! 2019’s Chippewa Valley Farm-City Day is being held at DenMark Dairy in Colfax, Wisconsin this Saturday, September 7th from 10am-2pm. DenMark Dairy is a family owned dairy farm that takes great pride in producing a wonderful product to be enjoyed: Milk! If you’d like to visit a working dairy farm and/or also meet some of our family’s animals (Miniature Hereford, Katahdin Sheep, Potbellied Pig, Goats, Miniature Horse, Donkey), please stop out on Saturday. Here’s a link for further details: https://www.facebook.com/events/489927805086990/?ti=icl

I’m so happy to be back! I love updating y’all with all the fun farm things going on, so I’ll be back next week with some photos from the petting zoo from this weekend! Hopefully, my family sees you either this weekend for Farm-City Day or Monday for the farmers market… or BOTH!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

YOURS TRULY, Wally (the trusted Border Collie at Sandy Acres)

The past month has been filled with snow, snow, and then even more snow! Here in Wisconsin, we established new records! February 2019 is ended up being the snowiest month in recorded history.

Unfortunately, with all this snow, comes a lot more work for everyone. Snow must be moved in order for animals to be properly cared for, plus snow has been being removed from roofs of buildings for the safety of the animals and so the buildings stay up.

All of us here at Sandy Acres are sending prayers to everyone who has suffered losses this winter.

Along with the snow, babies started to arrive! We’ve had four cows calf so far.

Additionally, right as the calendar was about to turn, the lambs started to arrive this past week!!! So far, 11 ewes (female sheep) have had 30 lambs in total! Many more to come, and we will keep you posted every blog post. Check out some of the pics, because I, Wally, have been featured a lot since I’m always helping Marie around the farm.

In other news, Marie is excited to announce that she will be hosting a Farmers’ Market on the Farm this summer on Tuesday evenings from June through September! If anyone has agriculture products (ex: poultry, eggs, pork, goat, maple syrup, honey, vegetables, etc) that they would like to sell at a farmers’ market or would like to be a part of this farmers’ market on the farm, please be in touch with Marie. We will have our beef and lamb available to purchase every evening of the farmers market (plus by appointment other days).

From now through Friday, May 24 (winners to be drawn on Saturday, May 25th), each person who makes a purchase of meat from us will be added to the basket with a chance to win one of four grill packs! Get some meat to enjoy right away today by calling Marie 715-579-2917. We introduced Meat Packages (click here for details) recently, and we still always have individual cuts available for you to build your own box. We are excited to see or meet you soon!

March Meat Special is: Ground Beef, Buy 10-Get one Free or Buy 25-Get 3 Free!

Until next time, stay warm!

Love, Wally the Trusted Border Collie

A year ago, “Wally’s Farm Adventures” first launched! I’m so excited because it’s my one year anniversary of my blog. I, Wally the trusted Border Collie at Sandy Acres, am truly honored to be your farm reporter!! I love the farm as much or more today as I did on day one of this blog!

Jeff says he thinks he should’ve gotten a second Valentine’s Day gift for the trusted skid steer since he’s been spending so much quality time moving snow with it. However, he did get a sweet card for Marie in celebration of this day of love.

So much snow! Can I just say how much us dogs LOVE it!? We have some super fun adventures each day. Jeff, Marie, and Erika put in a lot of extra time taking care of things around the farm now though. Jeff starts early plowing paths so Marie can take care of all the critters around the farm, then continues plowing throughout the day, while also completing his normal tasks. Meanwhile, us dogs bound through the snow with delight!

Recently, a few of the beef have found new homes including the steer, Herb, and also two heifers. The heifers were the first Miniature Herefords this family has ever had, they are super excited, and their children plan to show them this summer. All I can say is my mom, Marie, is super delighted that these animals found awesome homes! We do and will have additional animals available if you’re interested.

We are also preparing because soon it will be lambing season! March! Can you believe it?? Time flies when we are having fun. We will actually have lambs in March, then April, then again in May. Ewes due in the month of March were moved into the lambing barn today.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are offering a “Sweetheart Beef Special” through the end of the month. If you want to get yours or any other meat, please call Marie 715-579-2917. She would love to see you.

I cannot wait to continue to share my adventures throughout 2019! See you again before the end of February!

We are looking for your feedback. We want to start having more fun at the farm and are considering hosting events and/or offering activities that you, your family, and other community members might be interested in attending. What do you want to learn about? What would you enjoy doing? What do you want to see? How do you want to interact with the animals? Would you enjoy doing Holiday or Season inspired activities? We are totally open to hearing everyone’s ideas as we also think of things. Feel free to comment, Facebook message us, call/text Marie 715-579-2917, or email us at sandyacres.elkmound@gmail.com

Thank you for an amazing year Blog Fam! See you soon.

Love, Wally the Trusted Border Collie

January has been a pretty great month, and I’ve been pretty busy. I’ve been trying to train the Goldens whenever they are at the farm.

As of this morning, I thought they were more entertained by my enthusiasm and less than interested in actually learning the trade. However, Luna might be proving me wrong because although most of my training was focused on herding sheep since I assumed they would be less intimidating to the Goldens, Luna decided she could handle a yearling heifer today! It was pretty cute seeing a little puppy try to show off ‘my’ skills!

I also got busted cleaning off a dish in the sink… I’m not sure how I got there exactly, but since I’m really good at jumping and landing places, I’m pretty sure I didn’t think twice. Plus it was technically in the barn so it’s not like I was in the counter in the house (laughing). Luckily, my mom finds humor in my activities and normally I’m extremely well behaved.

With all this cold weather that’s beginning, we end up being outside and in the barns longer to take care of all the animals. Everyone always needs a warm bed, nutritious food, and fresh unfrozen water. Unfortunately, Jeff and Marie have dealt with plenty of frozen pipes and waterers, already. The weather is going to get colder this week so hopefully we’ve worked out some of the glitches, but on behalf of all the animals, we are sure glad to have Jeff, Marie and Erika here to take care of us.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate a sweet little girl’s birthday today! Happy Birthday, Kairi!

We still have January’s Meat Special (here) and also a SUPER BOWL MEAT SPECIAL (a super great deal), so please check them out! They will BOTH be in affect through this weekend so please call Marie to set your appointment. Again, we are super flexible so call her: 715-579-2917!

Please stop by and visit us! We are available by appointment and would LOVE TO SEE YOU!

Sincerely, Wally The Trusted Border Collie