INVERNESS VALLEY INN ECO MINI-FARM

Goats, sheep, a llama, alpaca and chickens are part of our eco-friendly landscape maintenance team. They provide food, fiber, entertainment and companionship for the humans who live and visit here. Some of these animals represent breeds are listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, which keeps a watch on uncommon heritage breeds. Guests are welcome to stroll back to meet and learn about our farm animals. For safety reasons, guests are not allowed to enter the animal enclosures. We practice intensive rotated managed grazing using portable electric fencing. Some visitors enjoy watching the little herd “migrate” to and from grazing to home base morning and evening.

Goats
We currently have 7 charming mini dairy goats, including Mini Manchas and Nigerian Dwarfs. These breeds are known for their sweet dispositions, ability to thrive on a grass-based diet, hardy constitution and impressive milk production for their size. Their “job” here is to clear brush and weeds, to produce milk and provide premium fertilizer for the gardens. We have three personable kids born here in spring of ’09. More kids are expected in April of 2010.

Sheep
Inverness Valley Inn is home to 6 Icelandic sheep, including Dagmar, a super-friendly mini icelandic born in the spring of '08. The Icelandics are one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds of sheep with one of the lightest yet warmest wools in the world. The premium dual-fiber wool is sought after by hand spinners and they also can produce copious amounts of rich milk. Guests can participate in periodic weekend lessons in carding and spinning Icelandic sheep wool. Our sheep do much of the grass trimming on the back acres of the Inn. Three beautiful lambs were born in the spring of ’09.

Chickens
Our chickens are raised on a modified “pastured” system with organic feed and access to plenty of green grass and weeds. Don’t be surprised to see them in the "chicken tractor" or out and about foraging during their free-range time in the late afternoon. Ten different breeds are currently represented in our flock, including 7 uncommon to rare breeds that are listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Our chickens “job” description is egg production, grass and weed eating, main compost processor. The healthy diet results in “pastured” organic eggs that are have vibrant orange yolks, great flavor and heart-healthy high omega-3 fatty acid content. New chicks hatched in the summer of '09. They are now laying eggs as of fall '09.

Llama and Alpaca
Our newest additions to the grazing team are members of the camelid family from South America known for their grace and fine coats. Johari is a shy beautiful female guard llama whose job is to protect the smaller members of the herd from predators. Hobbes is a gorgeous and friendly young suri alpaca whose fine "golden" fleece will add to diversity of spinning fibers produced here at the Inn.