Plowing Forward: Fall 2024

Exploring the Heart of Hillside Farms: Rotational Grazing, Herd Welfare, and Traceability

At the core of Hillside Farms lies our commitment to ethically and compassionately harmonizing agricultural practices with the natural world. Our foundational practice, rotational grazing, is not just a holistic approach to farming; it's a testament to our deep respect for the land and the life it sustains. Here's a closer look at how this practice shapes the life on our farm and the quality of the products you love.

Understanding Rotational Grazing:

In the lush pastures of Hillside Farms, our livestock are more than just inhabitants; they are active participants in the ecosystem. Through rotational grazing, our animals graze on designated areas for a predetermined period, allowing the soil and grass a respite and time to regenerate. This practice nurtures a rich diversity of grasses, such as orchard grass, enhancing sustainable pasture management. The myriad of benefits includes better manure distribution, reduced soil compaction, and notably, a flourishing biodiversity that supports a healthier planet.

This methodical approach is essential in nurturing pasture forage of the highest quality, ensuring our dairy herd enjoys nutrition-rich grazing fields. The regeneration period post-grazing is critical for revitalizing the ecosystem, sustaining both our farm's health and that of our livestock.

The Significance of Traceability:

In today's fast-paced world, knowing the origin of your food has never been more crucial. Traceability in food systems offers you the confidence of understanding the journey your food undertakes from farm to plate. At Hillside Farms, our cherished Gold Dairy products exemplify this principle. Crafted with care by our dedicated team, our milk and butter represent the pinnacle of freshness and quality, bypassing the lengthy transit routes typical of many dairy products. A mere 235 yards stand between our dairy barn and your table, ensuring unparalleled freshness, quality, and taste.

Herd Health & Welfare:

Hillside Farms' ethical practices are deeply embodied by Troy Pensak, our esteemed Dairy Farm Manager. Since 2019, Troy has been a champion in promoting both the physical and mental wellbeing of our dairy cows. Recognizing that a content and healthy herd is the cornerstone of superior milk quality, Troy's management techniques emphasize natural behaviors, individual attention to each animal, and most importantly, respect.

Our cows bask in the serenity of sprawling pastures, soak up the sun, and enjoy the company of their herd, living a life marked by dignity and respect. Troy's empathetic connection with each animal ensures they are treated as individuals, each with their unique personality and needs. And as their time with the herd draws to a close, our cows retire to Spring Brook, a serene spacious haven where they live out their days in tranquility, often surpassing the age of 20 – a testament to the love and care they receive.

Pictured below is Hillside's Dairy Farm Manager, Troy Pensak, with herd member, Buttercup.

Ensuring Comprehensive Animal Welfare: The Five Domains at Hillside Farms

Hillside Farms is built on a foundation of unwavering commitment to the ethical treatment of farm animals. Recognizing the depth and complexity of animal welfare, we faithfully adhere to the Five Domains Model—an approach that extends beyond physical health to include the mental wellbeing of our animals. As such, we offer you the following promises:

1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Wellbeing

At Hillside Farms, every animal is guaranteed access to clean water and a diet meticulously tailored to their needs, ensuring robust health and vitality. We take particular care to provide a stress-free feeding environment where competition for food is non-existent—every member of our farm family is nourished and satisfied.

2. Physical Environment: A Place for Comfort

Our dedication to animal care is embodied in the provision of a setting that serves as a calm environment for our farm inhabitants. Each animal enjoys natural space replete with shelter and a comfortable area to rest and recline—a fundamental aspect of dignified living.

3. Health: Vigilance and Compassion in Care

Vigilant in safeguarding the health of our animals, we proactively work to prevent disease and injury. In the occurrence of health concerns, each animal receives expedient and compassionate care to restore their well-being promptly.

4. Behavioral Interactions: Encouraging Natural Sociability

The pastures and living spaces at Hillside Farms are designed to foster congenial social interactions among our animals. Respecting their intrinsic social nature, we create environments that cater to species-specific behavior, allowing our animals to express their natural dispositions freely and fully.

5. Mental State: Acknowledging Emotional Health

In our role as stewards of animal welfare, we deeply understand and respect the emotional lives of the animals in our care. As such, we consider their affective states, embracing the full spectrum of emotions, from pleasure to discomfort, in our ongoing efforts to create lives of comfort and contentment for our farm residents.

Reflecting on the momentous journey since the inception of the Five Domains framework in 1994, and its thoughtful updates through 2017, Hillside Farms stands as a progressive advocate for comprehensive animal welfare. We are guided by scientific evidence, ethical principles, and a heartfelt compassion for the animals we are privileged to nurture here at the farm.

Registration Opens December 2: Hillside's Summer Farm Camp 2025!

Hillside Farms is thrilled to announce that registrations for our much-anticipated Summer Farm Camp will officially open on December 2nd! Designed for young nature lovers, budding scientists, teachers, farmers, and more, our Summer Farm Camp offers an immersive, educational adventure right in the heart of the serene and sprawling Hillside Farms.

Hands-On Learning & Fun on the Farm!

Under the guidance of our seasoned camp counselors and dedicated staff, your child will dive into a world of engaging, farm-based activities tailored to their age group. Whether it's caring for animals, exploring our pastures and streams, or learning through hands-on farm lessons, each day brings new excitement and learning opportunities.

Our 2025 Programs Include:

Mini Camp: For our youngest campers aged 4 and 5 years old, the Mini Camp promises a gentle introduction to the wonders of farm life. It's all about fun, age-appropriate learning experiences that spark curiosity and love for nature.
School Age Farm Camp: Designed for children entering grades 1 - 4 and 5 - 8, this program delves deeper into farm activities, animal care, and environmental education, offering an enriching experience that combines fun with meaningful, hands-on learning.

Get Ready for Summer 2025!

Mark your calendars for December 2nd and prepare to give your child or grandchild a summer filled with adventure, discovery, and joy. Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot early! You can learn more about dates and prices by visiting: https://bit.ly/Camp2025

Have Questions?

We're here to help! For any inquiries regarding our 2025 camp sessions, please reach out to Abby Collins, Hillside's Director of Education, at abbyc@hillsidefarms.org.

Ps. Summer Farm Camp Registrations make GREAT Christmas Gifts.

How do I find pastured, animal welfare approved, and sustainable products where I live?

Not local to Hillside Farms? No worries! Click here for a directory of pastured, animal welfare approved, and sustainable products local to you. This international directory is provided by A Greener World. Click here to learn more.

Christmas Tea & Tour Tickets on Sale Now!

Step into the heart of festive tradition with the Christmas Tea & Tour at the historic Hillside Cottage, slated for a special weekend on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1, 2024. This annual event, held from Noon until 4PM, promises an unforgettable afternoon in the grandeur of a late 19th Century landmark that stands as a testament to local heritage.

Guests have the unique opportunity to indulge in a delightful array of teas and desserts, all while basking in the warmth of the Cottage's majestic fireplace. As the Hillside Cottage opens its doors to the public just once a year, attendees are welcomed into a world where they can savor the charm and elegance of a bygone era, making the Christmas Tea & Tour a not-to-be-missed holiday tradition.

Beyond the culinary treats and delightful conversations, the event offers an enriching self-guided tour that showcases the Cottage's stunning collection of artwork, photographs, and publications that span nearly a century. As visitors wander through the rooms of this historical treasure, they will be transported to a time when each detail and decoration played a part in crafting the rich tapestry of the local community's history.

Priced at just $20 per person, the Christmas Tea & Tour at Hillside Cottage is an opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty and lore of a significant architectural gem, and to create new memories in a setting that has been a silent witness to countless stories over the decades. Do not let this rare chance slip by to partake in an enchanting experience that bridges the past with the present in such a captivating and festive manner.

To purchase tickets for Saturday, November 30, please click here: https://bit.ly/Nov30Tea

To purchase tickets for Sunday, December 1, please click here: https://bit.ly/Dec1Tea

Tickets are also for sale at the Dairy Store.

Did You Notice Our New Bottle Caps?

All while milk is now 100% Hillside Gold. Our Gold, White, Silver, and Pink bottle caps proudly include Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World. When you purchase Hillside Gold, you are supporting farming practices that are of the highest animal welfare. What is better for the dairy herd is better for the environment and ultimately better for you. Thank you for making the better choice!

The Lands at Hillside Farms is a historic, 434-acre, 501(c)(3) non-profit educational dairy farm EIN 20-2975553. Our mission is to teach life choices that are healthy, logical, and sustainable so those born 200 years from now will have access to the same or better resources and opportunities.

You can contribute to our non-profit mission by clicking:

https://thelandsathillsidefarms.org/donate.php

We are grateful for your support.