Harrowsmith – September 2019

HarrowsmithFall 2019 | 233

mothers. It happens because they
were either triplets to one ewe or
abandoned due to some disability,
“or they’re born into mud puddles
and get hypothermic,” she says.
As for the unusual tractor barn,
it was built like an “A” because
they had some long planks
after the original barn burned
and they figured they’d put up
a temporary structure, which
became a 40-year solution. At
first you may find this place a bit
crazy, but as you get to know it
you find out it’s also a bit magical
and a lot compassionate.
Topsy Farms is in transition,
downsizing from a traditional
thousand-head sheep farm
selling primarily meat, to a
flock half that size, selling meat,
woollen goods and experiential
learning events for the public.

For instance, the “adopt a

lamb” program allows families

to pay to give special care to

the abandoned lambs. Feeding

them by hand with a milk bottle

requires many extra hours;

conventional farms don’t give

that time, so those runts die.

Here, the public is invited to

cuddle them, booking half-hour

periods just for their family to

help nurture the weakest.

Topsy has a shop called The

Wool Shed, with colourful

displays of yarn and knitted

mitts and hats, full sheep skins

brushed super-soft, handmade

socks, honey and framed

pictures. Don’t miss the popular

woollen blankets and a freezer

full of chops and shanks and

chunks of lamb for stew.