Fox Meadow Croft

Nestled in the rolling hills and fertile valleys of Carroll County Maryland, is Fox Meadow Croft. Here in a picturesque corner of Jon's Family farm we grateful to have the priviledge of raising rare breed Icelandic Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheep, Heritage Breed Chickens, some productive colonies of Honey Bees and Heirloom Fruits and Vegetables.

 Our decision to focus on Rare and Heritage breeds and Heirloom produce began with the discovery of our treasured Icelandic Sheepdogs. Once we discovered this truely wonderful breed, it prompted our wondering just what else is out there few people know about and should.

With the decision that we would soon be getting Sheepdogs, came the arrival of our first flock of sheep. Knowing we would prefer a Wool breed over ones destined to market, we chose the smallest of the British breeds, The Shetland Sheep. Also considered a rare breed here in the United States, the Shetland Sheep sports a fabulous fleece in eleven natural colors and 30 patterns. Their wool is prized by handspinners around the world and they are the inspiration for the Fair Isle Knitting Industry.

 I have found their diminutive size ideal for a lady to handle, their primitive nature makes them hardy, easy keepers who are thrifty and make good use of pasture. They are excellent mothers and lamb easily, and the rams, well they are just so handsome with their magnificent curls of horn. With all this going for them they are still on the conservancy list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. We hope to add to their delightful numbers with our own flock of registered Shetlands, focusing on natural colors and patterns.

 With sheep there comes wool, with the help of Jon and his brother Eric, we shear the sheep each spring. Later I gently process each fleece at home where  I then spin it into pure Shetland yarns and blends.

Jon and I have both been interested in chickens since we were children. I had always wanted them, he raised them and sold eggs as a kid. Eight years ago we re-discovered our interest in these fowl and now have concentrated our efforts on an eccletic flock of Heritage Breeds. Our girls dine on organic feed and plenty of forage as they wander about.

Jon and I have also taken the plunge into Bee Keeping. Our lovely ladies work diligently all summer collecting nectar from the rural area creating their own special blend of Meadow Flower Honey. After our introduction to the fascinating world of Bee Keeping we have learned Honey Bees, who are vital to U.S. agriculture, are very much in danger due to the accidental introduction of Varroa mites in the 1980's. The bee keepers colony may fall into the same fate as the feral colonies, now practically non-exisistant because of these mites, if not properly managed.

 While doing our research into Heritage breeds we discovered Heirloom fruits and vegetables through Seed Savers Exchange. Their wonderful work conserving open poliinated fruits, vegetables and flowers is amazing. The stories of Immigrants lovingly carrying their beloved seeds from their homelands to the U.S. and their descendants still carefully propagating this precious cargo is inspiring. We would like to support Seed Savers efforts so we have been growing all Heirloom vegetables for several years, testing which varieties would do best in our Maryland climate and soil. We hope to one day offer the fruits of these labors for sale to the community.

Along with Jo-Ann's hand-spun Shetland yarns and blends, there are also hand-dyed yarns and ribbon yarns available. Also offered are a selection of Gourmet Teas, Soy Candles, Goats Milk Soaps, Whimsical Stichery and Decorative Art. Jo-Ann's art work has been photographed in homes featured in Country Lving and Country Collectibles magazine. Her spinning was also front page news in the Carrol County Times newspaper this year.

I hope you enjoyed learning about us and hope it will prompt you to discover Rare and Heritage Breeds and Heirloom fruits and Vegetables as well.