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Scape Goat Grazing

@lostemufarms

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Natural excellence; firescaping creating silvopasture fertile and rich.
Regenerative Land Maintenance.
NorCal Coast Milkmaid. Goat freak.

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Let’s get earthy! by @lostemufarms

My family and my life in one minute. I am Billie. I am a shepherdess living a rugged fairy tail full of grit, sweat, challenge, deep love, and the peace that comes with building relationship with the natural world.

The incomprehensible genius of nature is my refuge. Here I am hoping to communicate the magical world I experience in the forests with my beloved herd.

I was a very quiet, sensitive, watchful child rescued by the forest. I could really do anything in life as long as I’m in relationship with nature. Somehow the story of my life unfolded to caring for over 50 animals soon to be 80 and countless landscapes.

I don’t actually know how this happened. It’s partly following my bliss, partly saying yes to high risk situations that are probably trauma informed, and partly stubborn dedication to proving haters wrong.

Even though I brake down, I’m too old to be working so hard, without securities most people couldn’t live through I chose to try and overcome and take on the challenge because I love what I do and it’s deeply meaningful to me. And I’m doing it! I’m succeeding!

#shepherd #California #land #grazing #goats #sheep #billie #shepherdess #babygoats #lambs #californiamountains #santacruzmountains #santacruz #herd #firefuel #fire #firefuelreductiongrazing #nativeplants #community #lifeinnature #livingwithnature by @lostemufarms

This morning I’m spiraling around with my words attempting to define and communicate the cultural challenges between grazers, farmers, ranchers and the communities we serve in our modern world.
My decades of farming has taught me that the natural world is profoundly designed to create abundance. I think the scarcity we face is totally created and maybe that’s just the soul journey we are on here to face all our screwups. But I hope to participate in the blossoming of wisdom in the world with my little life. by @lostemufarms

I somehow missed my calling as a goat herder. But somewhere deep in my DNA, I suspect there is a long-lost herding ancestor who would be very pleased with how I spent my afternoon.

Today I visited @lostemufarms , who is grazing goats and sheep currently in Nicasio. My son and I spent a couple of absolutely magical hours with Billie and her goats.

I’ve always loved goats. But I think I achieved a new level of goat appreciation today. (I will admit that the first ever video I posted online in 2009 on YouTube was a video of goats 😂)

The affection! The curiosity! The ridiculous personalities! The way they lean into you to be scratched and somehow communicate that they believe with their entire heart and soul that you have arrived specifically to visit and serve them with scratches (they seem to know this truth).

My son was equally delighted. There is something wonderful about watching a child discover how much pleasure there is in simply sitting with animals and getting to know them and become friends.

But what stayed with me beyond all the goat affection was the extraordinary care evident in this work. These goats and sheep (and dogs) are so clearly loved and attended to. And that attention extends to the land itself.

There is something deeply inspiring about people like @lostemufarms whose work requires this kind of intimate, daily relationship with animals, weather, plants, and place. Work that cannot be rushed or automated away. Work that requires showing up, paying attention, and caring for living things.

It’s the kind of work I find increasingly beautiful (despite how our culture undervalues and underpays for this kind of labor and attention).

Thank you @lostemufarms for sharing your wonderful animals, your knowledge, and your little corner of the world with us.

10/10 afternoon. 🐐 I’m going to come back and paint soon, it’s so beautiful and inspiring here 💗 by @lostemufarms

This is my favorite piece of art I’ve made to date. Every one I make is special and personal, however this one speaks to me in a very specific way.
The lamb appears to show unrestrained, unmasked joy and delight in the moment of this specific place and time, while her gentle giant of a guardian gazes at her with overwhelming love and adoration, both of them perfectly at ease with each other and caught in the moment.
As a person who’s been told they’re too much, they’re too happy; who’s own gentle delight, joy, and innocence wasn’t protected; who took up the role of protector, yet also delights in the safety to become the lamb again; to joyfully celebrate nature and sunshine, while also peacefully guarding and appreciating the precious nature of others, this piece holds a deep place of my heart.

Billie, from @lostemufarms and Scapegoat Grazing, is also a gentle protector. She protects her hundreds of animals, and the landscapes they are actively improving and impacting in such an important way. She cared for her flocks, for the environment, for the preservation and improvement of our world. And right now she has a need for herding dogs to help her in her work. She has a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/745a587fb) to directly support this need.

Please support her in any way you can, and if this piece also speaks to you, use the code LOSTEMU for 30% off our Etsy shop through Oct 31st. All proceeds from the purchase of any “Confidence and Protection” prints will be directly donated to this very worthy cause.

If you’d like to give your support but find there’s an issue, please reach out, and we will be glad to assist in any way we can. by @lostemufarms

My favorite month ✨ by @lostemufarms

Some natural supplements that I’m feeding the herd. Let me know if you have any good ones. @biocharisma @alltechinc #kelp by @lostemufarms

Gold, Silver and Goats by @lostemufarms

We live in a world of abundance where all scarcity is manufactured. ✨ by @lostemufarms

I’m craving walking down a shaded path under tree cover in search of a warm cup of tea and a friendly neighbor. 🤍 by @lostemufarms

A long winded stream of consciousness about my perspective on grazing and gratitude to cattle and ranchers. by @lostemufarms

Big wave grazing! by @lostemufarms