Questa Farm
We have over 100 fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and vines in our orchards and vineyard, including apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, pomegranites, persimmons, figs, mulberries, walnuts, filberts, walnuts, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes.
Vegetables are grown seasonally in our 4,000 square foot fenced garden. Due to our excellent Zone 9a climate, we are able to grow produce most of the year, including beans, cucumbers, corn, melons, tomatoes, okra, squash, artichokes, lettuces, spinach and brassicas.
In addition, we maintain a flock of 30-35 hens of various breeds but primarily the dual purpose Wyandotte and Spotted Sussex, and the Dominique, considered the oldest American chicken breed. In addition, we have a small flock of assorted ducks and a pair of quail to assist with pest control and contribute to egg production. All poultry are free range with access to the outdoors and available forage. Supplemental feed is always organic.
We are vendors at the Santa Ysabel Farmers Market most Saturdays from April to December selling our fresh eggs, seasonal fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs, homemade jams and granola. Farm guests will be provided with information about eggs, fruits and vegetables available for purchase during their stay.
In our barns and pastures we raise Katahdin sheep, a hair coat breed developed in Maine in the 1950's. They are a versatile meat and milk sheep with strong mothering instincts, lamb easily and are resistant to parasites. They are tolerant of heat and, in addition to grazing, will forage which is ideal for our forage based management system.
Our goat herd is comprised of Golden Guernsey goats, a rare breed of dairy goat originating on Guernsey in the Channel Islands of Great Britain. A smaller breed, they yield less milk than other dairy breeds, but their food intake is lower, and they yield larger cheese weight per volume than average. Their milk is exceptionally smooth and creamy and high in protein and butter fat, making it excellent for cheesemaking.
