Elizabeth's Secret Garden

  My family has taken an interest in farm animals since we are in the process of creating SHAPE Eco Farm. Our farm is a family project and has a goal of sustainability. Since we want to leave as many trees standing as possible, miniature animals just seemed to fit in with what we are doing. Surprisingly, we met Dan Dawson at the postage office and then set up a trip to Dan Dawson and Maggie Leman’s farm called Maggidan’s Minis. Their main focus is Pygmy Goats, but they also have a few Giant Flemish rabbits. As you will see below, the rabbits are worthy of such a name. Maggie and Dan have been raising Pygmy Goats since 1992 and they are registered with The National Pygmy Goat Association or NPGA for short. They started showing their Pygmy Goats that same year at the North Carolina State Fair and have some champion goats as a result. Maggidan’s Minis Website  http://www.maggidans.com     Dan had to chase down the Flemish Giant so my brother could pet it. Joshua...

My family has begun a new endeavor. The creation of a sustainable farm where we will live, offer classes, workshops, and experience homesteading. Everyone has dreams, goals, and ambitions, but what if those dreams actually happened. What if the future became brighter because you decided to step out in faith. When we act on a dream, we never know what will happen. We may face uncertainty and fears, but how can we be successful unless we try? Once we take that initial step, the succeeding ones become easier. My seminary teacher used a simple illustration. She said faith is like a flashlight. The beam is short and we must take one step at a time, but as we follow that light it will lead us safely to the other side. Being a city girl, I never dreamed of actually starting a farm. Let me repaint what you typically see as a farm. It is not a clear pasture land with just animals or a monoculture of row crops. It is a 5 acre piece of land with a home for our family of 5 and a barn. We will b...