Dear Reader,

Some folks may not realize it, but there is a lot that goes on at Quiet Valley after the big events are over and summer tours are done. We are actually open all year long for work shops, group tours, and school programs. We are planning some extra public tour days for 2008 and are even designing a tour for families who want to visit us during what we call our "off season." Remember, the animals are with us all through the year and need to be taken care of, repairs need to be made, maintenance takes place. New programs are created during this supposed "quiet" time and that's when research is done. All in all, if you ask the staff, we don't feel we slow down very much at all! The staff though are the ones who get to enjoy all the little tidbits of news and funny incidents that happen on the farm during this time of year. I thought I could share some of what goes on at our farm museum that everyone else might be missing. Hope you enjoy!

The lastest pictures and news...

Orphan Annie -

our adopted lamb is growing steadily »

«Hershey at 6 weeks of age.

«Abigail with her newborn lambs

April 21

Dare I say the weather is warming up?! I think Spring has definitely sprung. Bloodroot, daffodils and forsythia are blooming and we already have many things planted in the Quiet Valley garden, like peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes and carrots. It's so good to be able to be outdoors digging in the dirt and enjoying the fresh air. These nice crisp, cool mornings wake you up so you're able to appreciate the warmer temperatures of the afternoons and the lovely sunshine. I almost forgot what it felt like to have warm sunlight falling across your shoulders as you cultivate the garden and how nice it feels to lift your face to the sun and savor that gentle heat. I hope all of you have been able to spend some time in the sun as well. Of course now-a-days they would say, don't forget the sunscreen, but in the old days of Quiet Valley a nice rye straw hat on your head and a kerchief around your neck would do the same thing for you.

Speaking of rye straw hats - two years ago we had a work shop to teach folks how to make their own rye straw hats. You took straw we grew here on the farm, learned how to braid it, pressed it in the straw mill, sewed the braided strips together and formed your hat. The attendees seemed to have fun and are now the proud owners of a useful, goodlooking head covering that they can wear when outside.We hold various work shops throughout the year and if there is something in particular you want to learn about that fits in with a historical farm we don't mind suggestions. Just e-mail the farm and we will see if we can arrange some classes (farm@quietvalley.org). Look on our home page for any current work shop offerings. I know we have a crazy quilt one on there.

Baby Animal News - Well, Aunt Eunice's prediction was wrong! I was sure baby rabbits would be born next on the farm, but Molly our most famous sheep, snuck in a lamb last Friday. Instead of the usual twins though she had one big baby girl.

As spring moves on more and more happens on the farm so keep checking in for updates.

Aunt Eunice

FARM ANIMAL FROLIC - Quiet Valley’s 20th Annual Farm Animal Frolic, May 17, 18, 24 and 25, is family fun at its best! With hours on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm, this is a wonderful opportunity to spend a day on the farm, meeting a variety of baby farm animals – chicks hatching from their eggs, fluffy baby bunnies, soft woolly lambs, frisky baby goats and piglets with their funny little noses! Both Saturdays will feature duck herding and there will be sheep shearing day to be announced. There is a hay jump in the barn, daily children’s shows and old time games. Pony rides and wagon rides are available all four days, weather permitting, for a small extra charge. The wagon ride takes you down an old railroad bed from the 1800s past the orchard to the pond where ice is harvested in the winter. Come on out and enjoy a day at the farm!

SUMMER GARDEN PARTY - Quiet Valley is holding a new event this year on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 to 3:30, during our opening summer weekend. Many different activities will be happening that day that revolve around gardens and the harvest we gather from them. There will be different demonstrations covering subjects such as plant propagation, Pennsylvania German garden design, gardening techniques, Plant-a-Veggie, herb breads at the bake oven, herbal teas and vinegars, medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, flowers and more. We'll even hold a weeding contest! This will be a great day for new gardeners or old-hands, adults and children. You will still be able to tour the historic buildings that day and see the outdoor bake oven in use. Watch for more info this May.