Q&A: Carol Sahley of Maplecrest Farm
Wondering how many takes were required to get this action shot!
Sahley says she strives to capture the animals’ distinctive personalities through both serious portraits and humorous action shots. In fact, her goats were featured on Modern Farmer‘s website back in 2013. Sahley’s home, the seventh-generation operated Maple Crest Farm, began life as a dairy and grain farm, but has since transitioned to horse boarding and training. Sahley, 49, and Brant Giere, 50, live in the original homestead where they raise goats and chickens for companionship and grow more than fifty varieties of dahlias. Giere’s mother and sister operate the adjoining horse business.
Modern Farmer: Why do you consider yourself a modern farmer?
Carol Sahley: Modern farmers put the welfare of their animals first. Along with consumers, they are leading a slow but steady movement toward more ethical agricultural practices.
MF: Why is it important to you to support local agriculture?
CS: The local agriculture movement is encouraging an important rethink of how we produce and distribute food in our society. Local agriculture helps to foster community spirit. Many consumers enjoy having a personal relationship with growers and take pride in the fact that they are supporting businesses who may have generations of their family engaged in agriculture. Local agriculture can also encourage more humane methods of farming and raising livestock.
MF: If you could grow or raise any food or animal, what would it be and why?
CS: I would love to have a much larger flock of pasture-raised hens to help increase the supply of humanely-produced eggs. Someday I plan to have many more goats as they are lively, funny, and loyal. They make great companion animals and are a joy to have around.
MF: What’s your favorite vegetable?
CS: It is not possible to pick a single favorite! We enjoy growing mixed greens as they grow quickly and are wonderful to have fresh and on-demand. We also enjoyed the eggplant and butternut squash we grew last summer in our garden. Fortunately, the goats did not get to them before we did.
MF: If you could give other modern farmers any advice, what would it be?
CS: Don’t underestimate how hard it can be, but also how much joy it can bring. Also, find a good vet and build a good relationship with them. Invariably, animals get sick on weekends and evenings!
MF: Do you have a farming/agricultural hero? Why do you admire them?
CS: My heroes are the farmers who have embraced humane farming practices and have bravely put the welfare of their animals above all else.
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by Andrew Amelinckx, Modern Farmer
January 26, 2016
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