pinwheel farm
Farmer(s): Natalya Lowther
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Contact: NatalyaLowther@hotmail.com
Website and Facebook Page
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer positions
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Contact: NatalyaLowther@hotmail.com
Website and Facebook Page
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer positions
Pinwheel Farm, on the north edge of North Lawrence, Kansas, has been raising sheep (meat, wool, and sometimes milk) and specialty crops (vegetables, herbs, berries, and more) for nearly 25 years. We grow without irrigation in a river bottom soil with groundwater at 17 feet; we use very minimal purchased inputs; we save seeds for some of our crops; we use organic mulches such as waste hay from the sheep to control weeds and moisture and provide nutrients; and do very minimal tillage…all by hand. Crops include salad greens, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. We also sell a wide range of foraged vegetables from our farm.
Sustainability is paramount at the farm. Our only oil-based equipment is lawn mowers, a truck, and our cars. Otherwise, we use mainly battery-powered tools and hand tools. We use some principles from permaculture (although we “invented” them ourselves), Ruth Stout, The One-Straw Revolution, Square Foot Gardening, and other classics…but mainly we study the “book” that is constantly being written and re-written by the members of the farm’s Community of Life.
Our sheep are raised on local hay, pasture, tree forage, and waste produce from farmer friends. We have selectively crossbred a wide range of breeds for nearly 25 years to develop a line of low-maintenance, productive sheep with beautiful fleeces which we process and sell mainly as finished products. Our lambs are sold by preorder or as retail cuts at the Downtown Lawrence Farmer’s Market.
Volunteer apprentices can choose to focus on the sheep or on the vegetable side, while gaining a working understanding of the complexities of integrating livestock and vegetable production on a small farm. Sheep-related tasks will focus on weekly weighing and condition scoring; pasture management with electronet fences; developing infrastructure; livestock guardian dog and herding dog training (we are amateurs!); shearing day; and basic wool handling. We try to keep a regular schedule of working together on sheep management one morning a week (currently Tuesdays); apprentices will need to conform to our schedule. We would also want each apprentice to join us for at least a few Farmer’s Markets, to see that side of the operation.
Crop-related tasks will include mulching, planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, as well as infrastructure development. Regular weekly schedules will include either Thursday or Friday sessions to assist with market prep, but can be more flexible than sheep activity schedules.
This year will likely include unique opportunities to go through several farm business development projects with us, including applying for grants (NRCS and SARE) and setting up a new business structure to allow the business aspect of the farm to include people in addition to myself, on a profit-sharing basis.
Sustainability is paramount at the farm. Our only oil-based equipment is lawn mowers, a truck, and our cars. Otherwise, we use mainly battery-powered tools and hand tools. We use some principles from permaculture (although we “invented” them ourselves), Ruth Stout, The One-Straw Revolution, Square Foot Gardening, and other classics…but mainly we study the “book” that is constantly being written and re-written by the members of the farm’s Community of Life.
Our sheep are raised on local hay, pasture, tree forage, and waste produce from farmer friends. We have selectively crossbred a wide range of breeds for nearly 25 years to develop a line of low-maintenance, productive sheep with beautiful fleeces which we process and sell mainly as finished products. Our lambs are sold by preorder or as retail cuts at the Downtown Lawrence Farmer’s Market.
Volunteer apprentices can choose to focus on the sheep or on the vegetable side, while gaining a working understanding of the complexities of integrating livestock and vegetable production on a small farm. Sheep-related tasks will focus on weekly weighing and condition scoring; pasture management with electronet fences; developing infrastructure; livestock guardian dog and herding dog training (we are amateurs!); shearing day; and basic wool handling. We try to keep a regular schedule of working together on sheep management one morning a week (currently Tuesdays); apprentices will need to conform to our schedule. We would also want each apprentice to join us for at least a few Farmer’s Markets, to see that side of the operation.
Crop-related tasks will include mulching, planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, as well as infrastructure development. Regular weekly schedules will include either Thursday or Friday sessions to assist with market prep, but can be more flexible than sheep activity schedules.
This year will likely include unique opportunities to go through several farm business development projects with us, including applying for grants (NRCS and SARE) and setting up a new business structure to allow the business aspect of the farm to include people in addition to myself, on a profit-sharing basis.
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Pinwheel Farm
Visiting Pinwheel's website for the first time? You'll find a welcome here! Looking for information about the farm's transition process and Request for Proposals? Check out the opportunities here. Curious what I've been up to lately? Read on! NEW JOB! I've accepted a grant-based position with Seward County Community College.
