As regular readers know, I have spent the last couple of months trying to find a new home for our farm. A big change in my personal life necessitated leaving the New York farm, and staying on Martha’s Vineyard year-round- however much I love it- just isn’t a financially sustainable option at this point.
I spent a lot of time looking at property in Texas. My mother and sister live there, which made it an attractive option, but ultimately I decided that the Lone Star State is just too far away from most of our shareholders, customers and friends. So, after a lot of soul-searching and back-and-forthing, I finally settled on Virginia.
Why Virginia? A lot of reasons, actually. I have a lot of family there (aunts, uncles and cousins), it’s way more affordable than anything I could find in New York, Connecticut or Massachusetts, and it’s a lot warmer in the winter than the Northeast. (This was important if I wanted to keep Erin as my farm manager.)
It’s also close enough to Washington D.C. to be easily accessible by train from NYC and Boston, which is important to me because I still want to have lots of visitors to the farm.
Once I’d settled on Virginia, I had very little time to find a place that would work. I needed at least 10 acres and a barn, and a house that was large enough for Erin and I with a couple of guest rooms. And I needed something that was available November 1st. I knew it was going to be hard to find a place that met all the requirements, so I gave myself four whole days to look.
Let me tell you, I looked at some pretty horrific places. One of them was so bad that I have since referred to it as as “the murder house.” I could find farms with lovely little houses and falling down barns and no fencing, or adequate barns and condemnable house, or a great house and great barn on 2 acres. It was so frustrating that I actual melted into tears in the car of a friend who was driving me around to look and told him I didn’t want to see any more.
Lucky for me, he talked me into to looking at the last place on my list because it was…well…perfect. Great barn, great house, 11 fenced acres, near Charlottesville. And it was available nearly immediately.
Next week, Erin and I will be moving to our new home in Virginia. Actually, Erin will be moving next week; I’ll be sticking around New York until Rhinebeck.
The other big change is that we will be leaving most of the goats with Patrick in New York. This was a really hard decision for both of us, but in the end, Patrick and I decided to split up the flock. I will be taking the Cormos and the other sheep to Virginia, along with a handful of goats that I just can’t bear to part with. (Yes, Miss Linda is one of them!)
Because we will not be taking very many goats with us to our new farm, we will no longer be selling shares in our Fall Shearing for knitters. We may offer a few Handspinners Shares, but we have a few months to make that decision.
Starting with Spring 2010, our CSA shares will feature all Cormo yarn and roving. We will be cutting the number of shares we sell nearly in half to be sure that everyone receives a bountiful supply of yarn and spinning material.
As for the Vineyard, it’s our hope to have some kind of presence on the Island every summer. What form that will take will be figured out in the next couple of months.
I know that this is a whole lot of change to throw at you all at once, and I apologize for the last-minuteness of this announcement. Unfortunately, there were some legal issues that had to be settled before we could say anything. I hope you’ll understand.
It is your support that has kept us going for the past year. Every time I thought it was just too hard to keep going, to move, to start all over again, I got a card in the mail or an email from one of you. Believe me when I tell you that those notes made all the difference.
The remaining goats will be sheared in NY in the next week or so, so that we can get the Fall 2009 shares to the mill as quickly as possible. Instead of a shearing party this year we will be having an open farm day in November, and Erin and I hope that most of you will be able to attend; we’re anxious to show you our new place. I’ll let you know which weekend in the next few days so you can make travel plans. As always, the party will be open to all of our readers, not just shareholders.
To celebrate our new farm, new home, new everything, Erin and I thought we needed a new name. Something symbolic of our new beginning. Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm will know as Juniper Moon Farm. We’ve even changed the logo up a bit to go with the new name.
We hope you love the new name and logo as much as we do.
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Congratulations!! I love it! And now you are so much closer to me– only about 3 hours. I’m definitely going to have to come visit soon!
Congratulations, Susan. I wish you all the best of luck and cannot wait to see what amazing things you do next.
If I remember correctly, I think you were interviewed by Guido Stein on its a Purl Man. Either way, I recognized the name when Painty just linked to your blog to say you are moving and lo and behold you’ll be just an hour from me!! I am so excited for you!! You will LOVE living in Virginia
Congratulations on the move, the location, the enthusiasm! And, as mother of Juniper, what a GREAT name! Good luck! So glad I get to keep enjoying the lambs and your posts.
The barn and the land look fantastic! All best wish to you and Erin (and the sheep & Miss Linda) for a wonderful new beginning. I’m sorry that I couldn’t get to MV to visit, but I won’t mind a train ride from Boston down to Virginia. What about the dogs? Do you get at least one, but hopefully more?
Congratulations! What a beautiful barn and acreage. I hope the house is in good shape so that you and Erin can move in and not have repairs to worry about. We all wish you so much happiness.
When you have a chance, please tell us how you choose the name Junipe Moon. Is there special meaning to it?
We’ll all try to be patient and not hammer ou with a thousand questions, but I wish we could sit for a chat and catch up more. However, I also know that it is hard to be baring your heart and soul to your virtual friends since you don’t really know us. Thank you Susan, for sharing your life with us. Congratulations again to you, Erin and the flock.
wow lotsa changes but it sounds like it’s all working out quite well
thank goodness you DID go look at that last place
it looks really swell
one day
i still hope to come visit
one day
till then
my love beams to you and yours straight from the heart
xoxoxo…
lotsa love,
rona
Dear Susie
Congratulations on finding a new farm, the new name and logo and a new place to start from. I hope you will find some inner peace and quiet to rest for a while after all the turmoil you have been through. All the best, and looking forward to following this new adventure.
I’m touched by your frankness and openness in all this. You are a tribute to resiliance and renewal. Would that I could do so much so well under such circumstances.
Can’t wait to be a supporter of Juniper Moon.
Blessings and best wishes!
Mary Beth
I’m excited – you’re within driving distance from NC. Can’t wait to visit you in your new home.
Good luck with your move, all the very best! Jen xoxox
No matter what the name, it’s the spirit and idea behind the farm and CSA that makes it such a success. The farm has always been you Susie and will continue to be, no matter what the name is or where it’s located. Hooray for Juniper Moon Farm and a new door opening for you.
Virginia! Im so sorry that you have had such a tough summer….but the Virginia mountains is a great place to land and begin again. You, Erin and the flock will love it. So a big WELCOME! And I hope to meet you sometime soon….since I live not far from there myself!
I’m so happy you found a great place for the farm. I’m so sad you are leaving the island. Are you going to be at the last farmer’s market on Sat? You are such a special person and a wonderful friend.
Since you are moving closer to the South–I just may have to come for a visit! I would love to see all the lambs and meet Susan.
Susan & Erin,
Best wishes for a happy and smooth transition to your new digs. As always, cheering both of you on!
xoxo
Congrats! I love Charlottesville! That puts me a little closer to you all..I think there is a good fiber fest down that way too! Best wishes on the move!
I soooooo feel your pain right now. I’m in the middle of a divorce and have Llamas and Alpacas that I love very much! I actually took them when I left because Ted (one of my Alpacas) is very smart and knows how to open the gate (which he did often). I was in fear that they would get out and hit by a car or worse (shot by a local who can’t tell the difference between a deer and an Alpaca/Llama). I also could not be sure the husband who stayed on the farm would care for them since he didn’t when I was there. I also took them because my kids show them in 4-H and two of my animals were leased to other 4-h kids and it wasn’t fair for them to loose their project because my personal life was a mess. So hang in there and we will keep you in our prayers and someday soon you will have your awesome goats again! I’m hoping that when our life gets settled that I can add a goat or two and a sheep or two to go with my Llamas and Alpacas. I just have to be thankful for awesome friends who are boarding my critters until I can find us a place to live all together.
Your ability to carry on in the face of adversity and not settle for something that isn’t working is a true inspiration. Best of luck in your new place, it is a lovely piece of land.
I’m happy that everything is falling into place for you. VA will be much more affordable for you than the Vineyard. I’m glad you will be close to MD so we can visit. Change is hard but it sounds like you have it together. Good luck, Susie and Erin!
Susie, so glad to hear you have a plan! That must be such a relief..and it doesn’t hurt that it is such a lovely plan, the grounds look great. We have close friends in the Richmond area and they have been very happy there. I think the weather will be easier on your crew–they have seasons but not as crazy as ours…
We head to MD each summer (after our Vineyard trip) to visit my mother-in-law. Perhaps I can convince the kids to go a little further and visit your new abode.
Best of luck–as my mom always says “use it in good health”.
Roz
Those are a lot of changes. I hope everything goes very smoothly for you and that you are happy with everything in the end!
I think central Virginia is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Whew! You’d hinted at big changes coming, and I’d feared the worst..that somehow you’d be closing up shop. Though everything I read suggests you’d never do that, still I feared. I’m a new shareholder and reader and I was just getting to know you! Now I’m relieved there’ll be lots more in store. I’m sorry there’s been so much darkness. Here’s to heading towards the light!
Congratulations Susie and Erin! I am in awe of your strength and grace in the face of all the change you’ve had to deal with. Thank Goodness you looked at that last place! I’m am sure you, Erin and the animals will be very happy at your new place.
Love the new name and logo – when you’re able we’d love to hear the story behind both.
Any help you need to unpack, settle in, just put a call out to your local fans.
Best wishes for a smooth transition – and here’s hoping you can both take a bit of a break sometime soon!
Congratulations on finding a new place to call home. It looks lovely (and is closer to Texas – woo hoo!!).
I love the new name – did you know that Juniper Moon was the name of a musical group? Amusingly and perhaps serendipitously, Juniper Moon put out an album titled “El resto de mi vida”. Maybe this is your home for a good long time!
Oh Susie, the new farm sounds wonderful and I just love the name. More importantly, you are going to be in Virginia when we go there next year to visit family, which means I will have to carve out some time to visit the farm if that is okay with you!
I have a question regarding your southdown’s, are you going to be taking them with you as well? You didn’t mention southdown’s in your spring 2010 shearing so I wasn’t sure.
When you get settled in Virginia you will have to check out http://suzannemcminn.com/ (if you haven’t already!). She has a small farm that she blogs about and her recipe’s are most drool worthy.
Please tell me you’re taking Feenat??? I adore the pictures of her…
Congratulations on what was probably a very tough decision. Juniper Moon! What a great new name! Best wishes on the new farm location. I’m sure it will be a wonderful new start for you. I look forward to reading more about it on the blog.
I wish you the best in Charlottesville! The area is so lovely. Let us know when you plan on having your open farm day, I’ll be heading that way some time in November and would love to go if I can!
Hey, you’re WAY more closer to me now, so I’m tickled! Welcome to the mid-Atlantic. We’re happy to have you.
The new place looks sensational! I can easily see many happy sheep and goats chomping and romping there. Best of luck with everything. Good thing you went to the last place. That’s a good friend in action right there.
i am glad you are taking care of yourself. it all looks and sounds so good. how many dogs get to go with you? what about the chickens? well, you know me, i want to know about all the critters…not just the fibery ones. what about all the stuff you got…like the lambing cam, etc?
Call me selfish…but I’M SO GLAD YOU ARE COMING TO VA!!!
Good luck with your move and the next generation of the Fiber Farm. I know we can count on you to keep us informed as developments occur. I will watch for the announcement of Spring 2010 Shares–should have enough pennies saved by then to subscribe. I love my 2009 Spring dividend and I am trying really hard to decide what I will do with it.
Best best luck. And I know you know you can count on us.
Beverly/bik on ravelry
Wow! It all sounds like everything is falling into place nicely. Isn’t it funny how that sometimes occurs? I am so pleased to hear that the farm will still be around and that you will still operate a fiber CSA. I’m thrilled! And I love the idea of an all cormo box.
Wow! What a whole lot of changes. I hope you are able to find peace amidst all the chaos. Now I’m doubly sad I didn’t get a chance to visit this summer, but I’m glad Brian and I made it out there once. AND, a good friend of ours just moved to DC so maybe a trip to the VA farm isn’t exactly out of the way….
Congratulations! I love that you will be in Virginia. I too have family there and visit several times a year. I hope to see the farm in the near future. All the best on the move and for your future!
Hi Carol! We are taking our Southdowns, and our Cormo/Southdown cross Alabama, and big ol’ Ernie the Cotswold. We just don’t use the Southdown or Cotswold fleeces for the CSA – our Southdowns are just not very soft and the staple length on Ernie’s fleece is too long for the mill to spin.
Yes Morgen, I’m taking Feenat!
I went to UVA in C’Ville and it is sooooo beautiful there. I miss C’Ville. For good bagels (which VA is not known to have!) go to town and hit Bodo’s.
Charlottesville!! I love Charlottesville! and it’s only a couple of hours from me. I’m really excited about your November open house. Good luck with the move. How exciting — sad but exciting at the same time.
How near Charlottesville, because that’s where I live (outside Ch’Ville in Albemarle County)? I’d be glad to help when and where I can with the move (I’m already busy on Nov. 3, since I’m also an election official). I actually work at our Fall Fiber Festival for a sheep farm just down the road from where I live, so I could possibly hook you up with local sources for things you might need. Just e-mail me, and I’ll try to help all I can. Oh, and welcome to the neighborhood! It’s a nice one.
Life is all about change – some of it is just harder than others. Love the new name and logo. I think I will miss the goats but perfectly happy with the sheep.
Just keep going and believing that everything does in fact work out the way it is supposed to and usually for the best even if you don’t see it at the time.
Hopefully someday I will be on the other coast and can come and visit
I’m so glad that you’re finding your way in such a trying time. There is always a greater plan for us that we’re always trying to figure out one step at a time. I LOVE your new home and the new name! I can’t wait to see how you make it your own! I’ve heard lovely things about that region of the east coast. My parents LOVE that area, and I’ve heard there’s a lot of fiber artists and independent craftsmen up that way (especially pottery). So I know you’ll fit right in! If you’re looking for a bit of encouragement, there’s a radio website called 89.3 KSBJ and you can listen to them live on the internet. I live in Texas, so I know people down here are born with a strong faith and I listen to that station and find it really helps! I with you the VERY best, and you have one LARGE support system cheering for you!
P.S. I will miss the goats very much, because I stumbled upon this site right in the middle of kidding season so I have a natural love for them. SOOO if there’s a future fund in which we can donate to for future babies I would LOVE to hear about it. I know you have to take things in your own time, but I would love to help build a new family for ya’ll!
I’m glad to hear that things are settling down from a decision standpoint. I love the logo.
Congratulations on finding s new home, Moving is hard but it sounds like you found a good spot.
You will love Virginia-it is beautiful and my cousin in Charlottesville (oh I need a splling giveaway-LOL) they love it there. Moving is moving but change is good, a chance to restart and renew!!
Love the new logo and your new place looks PERFECT!!!! I love the Charlottesville area. That was about 2 hours from where I lived in southside VA. Good luck with your move and I know the fiber people in VA will welcome you warmly.
I’m being purely selfish here but I’m glad your coming to Virginia…just right down the road from us. Can’t wait to learn more about Juniper Moon Farm.
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