Topsy Farms
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topsyfarms.bsky.social
Topsy Farms
@topsyfarms.bsky.social
Just a family trying to keep the farmland as a farm... Canadian sheep wool farm founded by hippies in 1972.
Big & Curious

The rams appear to be dropping a new album.

They had a full month of grazing and relaxing.

The boys have trees to nap under and boulders to climb - lots of fighting and a little sex (or at least some mounting).
May 27, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The island's lilacs are a whisper at a life well lived.

Lilacs take their time.

The buds look dead in April.

Have you ever felt like this?

Gnarled up, and woody.

It is good to be as the lilac.

Flowering.

The lilac will not bloom if she is cut back too heavily.

This is not a place for brutes.
May 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Jennifer Ramiston 👱‍♀️
May 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
This retired ewe has Bottlejaw - a condition that is most often a sign of severe anemia. We treated her low iron and will observe over the next week for signs of improvement or decline.
April 30, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The face I make when I hear the words "Breaking News". @aaronparnas.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 12:48 PM
2 of the "Teaser" rams have an adorable moment. Boudicca the Guardian Dog sunbathes, Jake gets a snuggle. #CanadianMade #Farm
April 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The Shoreline 100% Canadian wool blanket 🇨🇦 www.topsyfarms.com
April 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Spruce is a heart throb.

He's so tall and imposing - blocking the sun and wind.

Protective and a little domineering.

An evergreen with a sticky trunk.

Smells good.

He's kind of a prick but that's just on the outside.

Past that rough exterior and spiny needles is soft wood.
April 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Farm kid clears a path.
April 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Stormy Days

Topsy has weathered some major storms over 53 years.

Amherst Island has come through this ice storm ok.

The road crew clearing trees from the road.

We received alerts before the storm with info about ferry service.

Chores will be a hassle.

And that is ok.

We will move with care
March 30, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Hello friends.

Leah has decided that it is too treacherous out to have the shop open.

If you are needing yarn or other woolly goodies, please use the website, for it never sleeps or slips on icy sidewalks.

Bundle up and stay cozy.

Xo

Team Topsy
March 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Puttering

Definition: the unhurried activity of working on one or more enjoyable projects.

Puttering is beautiful.

Yard puttering - planting & weeding, windows washed.

A person moves all day.

Cut grass & turned earth.

Dirty knees.

The cadence of puttering feels good because you set the pace.
March 28, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Hippie Founded

In 1972 a boat load of back-to-the-landers came to Amherst Island

Escaping a society that was starting to smell 'off'

They started a commune

Searching for a life to share

Sharing resources

They were called hippies

Not caricatures

Not Shaggy from Scooby-Doo

We are grateful
March 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Winter Makes Wool

The weather can be measured in the wool - just like with wine.

Our wool is of exceptional quality because it has to be.

Sheep want to be outside with the freedom to browse the hay and munch the junipers.

The sheepness of the sheep.
March 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Sprout the ram enjoys face touch in March Sunshine

We're now into shoulder season

The time between

We start off the day in heavy jacket and coveralls, finish in a t-shirt

The morning starts with a fire in the wood stove

Fuel from wind-fallen trees

Thank you tree for the warmth you provide
March 22, 2025 at 1:21 PM
We have all felt creeping despair at some point in the last 5 years.

Whether the cause be interpersonal, financial, political, or some nameless, lurking shadow.

I.A.S.A.T

I am scared and tired.

There are antidotes:

The forest.

Name the shadow.

Avoid the toxic.

Find and hold gratitude.
March 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Every year the lake takes more of the field

Bedrock falls to the water's inexorable pull

Stone that held the grass

The once solid base eroded

The shift
The slip
The fall
The splash

The water is an agent of chaos

A kitten on a high kitchen shelf:

Look at all these fun things to knock down.
March 19, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Skipping Stone Secret

Calm water, clear evening.

The skipping stone is collected from a pile of 1000 candidates.

The stone is not thrown by arm.

The stone is launched from the head, the back, the guts, the hips, the knees and most of all:

The stone is skipped from the feet.
March 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The Lake Effect

A farmer is humble beside a Great Lake

West wind powerful

Violence and serene calm on the same day

The wind throttles up and rumbles through

Buildings shake

The tops of rolling white-caps aerosolized

Blown far down the lake

A crashing, frightening, leapfrog
March 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Volunteers Needed 🙏

We need a few volunteers to work with the lambs and to keep them fed and watered starting mid-May through June.

Stamina is needed, as well as a sincere interest in animals and people.

Email sally@topsyfarms.com explaining your interest and experience.

Thank you 🙏♥️
March 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Topsy will be offering free composed sheep manure - details to come

We'll talk of seed selection and garden techniques

How to forage for free food at your feet

We are a country of growers not showers

Let us plant, tend, & defend

To make neighbours family

Elbows up, hands dirty.
March 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Ferry Disruption March 12th

9:30am -1:30pm

Living on an island has many benefits.

One of the disadvantages is occasional service disruptions.

For those of you who had intended a farm visit during those hours, we apologize for the inconvenience.
March 12, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Free Range

It is a joy listening to kids playing in the yard.

As the snow melts and the clocks change, we look forward to these days.

The sounds of exaltation as a toy tractor is discovered.

The songbirds laying on a melody.

The moments of quiet peace are incredible.

Exhaled steam of breath.
March 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
International Women's Day

Topsy has no tolerance for the intolerant.

Equity feels like oppression to the morally reprehensible.

Women's rights are under attack.

No room for meek politeness or acquaintances with these grunting Gilead-glamorizing grotesques.

Don't let the bastards get you down.
March 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Sally's Garden organic fertilizer is a slow release pellet made from scrap wool.

9-0-2 NPK.

Pellets hold 20 times their weight in water - longer intervals between watering.

100% Canadian.

Indoor and outdoor.

The 1 kg bag is good for 66 square feet/ 26 gallons of soil

6.13 sq. meters / 98.4 lr.
March 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM