Branch Brook Farm became my home in April of 2002. How I came to find myself, along with three Border Collies and three sheep, on a large derelict farm in Northeast Pennsylvania is not my story, but ours. It really starts back in the nineteen sixties when I met my first Border Collie. Angus. He belonged to friends of my parents; we had a dog of our own, but it was Angus who stole my heart. Angus was a pet, a rescue, and I assume he had never worked sheep, but he had all of the intensity and intelligence and neurotic behavior I have come to love in these dogs. It took thirty years for my life to allow me to have a collie of my own, but as soon as it did, I did.
Once I had a herding dog it followed that I would need something for it to herd. I bought four sheep. Soon another collie joined the first. Then a few more sheep. Then another collie. Eventually it became clear that a farm was in order. I had spent two years sheep and dog sitting for friends in Northeast Pennsylvania and loved the area, so when I found that this farm was for sale I went to take a look. One walk up the hill and it was all over. One hundred acres, most of which are gorgeous, open fields just perfect for sheep and sheepdogs. It took another seven months to work out all the details, but on April 18th 2002 the papers were signed and the dogs and I moved in.
Today the farm is home to a permanent flock of 250 breeding ewes, eight rams, seven collies, three cats, three horses and a shepherd. I won’t even begin to list the birds and other wildlife! It has been eleven years of very hard work, but I don’t believe a day has passed that I haven’t been reminded in some way of how incredibly lucky I have been.
The first job I tackled upon taking over the farm was to restore the 150 year old dairy barn. The second year I had a new structure built on the footprint of an old barn which had fallen down somewhere along the line. Fencing went up, sheep moved in. I breed the ewes in batches, three groups per year, as neither the barn nor I could handle having them all lamb at once! In between lambing times there is hay to bale, sheep to shear, young dogs to train, fences and equipment to maintain, fields to care for. It is a demanding life and I am proud of what the farm has become.
The farm is a wonderful place to visit, particularly during lambing season. If you ever find yourself in our area, please do think to stop in and say hello. Feed cookies to some friendly sheep. Let your children hold a newborn lamb. Bring a picnic and walk up the hill and gaze out over the Endless Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. We are always around and love to show off our farm. If you are a knitter we have yarn. If you are a spinner there are raw fleeces to be had. Sheepskin rugs? Got ’em. And of course the most flavorful, natural, humanely raised lamb you will ever find. Come visit if you can. If not, I hope you enjoy getting to know us all through these web pages.
Sincerely, Alix Cleveland