Relatively new. I started a hobby farm back in Tennessee a few years ago focusing on backyard farming. My backyard was 11 acres at the time, but well set up for animals and pastures. My wife and I wanted to be a little more self sufficient as well as discover and share options that work in small farm/backyard environments.

We moved to Vermont this past year and dropped the farm moniker and scaled back on animals. We're more of a homestead now.

The highlands are mostly for the cute factor, to help with establishing a legit miniature pedigree and get some milk (my cow is a highland/dexter cross, so she'll definitely provide milk for the family). Freezer camp is reserved only for the naughtiest of beef, which we're hoping will be few and far between over the years. The lines we're working with have incredible temperaments, so beef in the freezer hopefully will never come from them.

Honestly though, I've enjoyed all of this over the last few years. I understand why farmers are a dying breed and exactly how ungrateful of a job farming is. But I've also found something missing from my life. It's my part-time passion as I still have to pay the bills, but if I could do it full time I would in a heartbeat.