by Kaylin Beach, Museum Interpreter and Volunteer Coordinator First, there is no difference between a Pig and a Hog. Just two different names describing the same animal. ‘Pig’ tends to refer to the animals most folks keep as pets or as livestock, and ‘Hog’ tends to refer to animals that are more feral (wild in nature). The names can be used interchangeably. I will use the term ‘Hog’ during this article to refer to both. Second, hogs, like the heritage breed Ossabaw Hogs here

In like a lion and out like a lamb. No, I’m not talking about the month of April, but last Saturday’s annual Lattes with Lambs event at the Foundation. After a blustery week, and a wet and cold start to the morning, the clouds parted and left us with a truly beautiful afternoon to enjoy all of the food and fun happening on the farm. With cheese making demonstrations, taste testing courtesy of P.A. Bowen Farmstead, and a shake-your-own butter activity, the “Dairy Area” gave ev

Terrie-Lea poses with Hog Island lamb, Nigel. It’s National Volunteer Week and to celebrate, we’re kicking off a monthly Volunteer Spotlight blog series highlighting the most dedicated of the Accokeek Foundation’s Volunteer Team. This month’s Spotlight is Terrie-Lea Blueitt, a Livestock Farmhand and Bluebird Monitor. She joined the volunteer team in 2012, and since then has dedicated an impressive 270 hours. Rain or shine, we can count on Terrie-Lea’s enthusiasm in the barnya

Guest post by Mama Lynn #108. Mama Lynn and the ladies. photo by: A.Barnes Good mooooooorning! My name is Lynn – that’s Mama Lynn to you – and as I’m sure you already know, I’m kind of a big deal at the Accokeek Foundation. I’m the boss of the American Milking Devon herd, second-in-command only to Miss Polly, the livestock manager, and I’ve been tasked with talking a bit about what it’s like to be a pregnant cow (or sheep) here at the Foundation. The humans entrusted me with

Spring (even cold and snowy) is always a really fun time to be on site because of the new additions that join our ranks. That’s right, I’m talking about farm babies. Each February and March, we welcome new Hog Island lambs and Milking Devon calves in a flurry of adorable bleating and wobbly frolicking. This year, to mark the occasion and share in the cuteness, members joined us for “Lattes with Lambs”–an open barn event that included coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, a Q&A with

Some days my job I hate And I feel second rate On days when the frigid cold Makes my young body old Frozen hoses, iced up tanks, extra hay All conspire to add hours to my day Meetings cause me to sputter And pain makes me mutter And on top of extra hours of work Mother Nature becomes a jerk I find the old hog dying Beside where she is lying A wall of ice I must erect So that no emotions I detect It keeps me from coming undone For Death’s lieutenant I become As a

In the wake of the bombing this month at the Boston Marathon, my facebook newsfeed was inundated with posts and statuses lamenting the state of the world today. Friends and family were sharing thoughts like “what is society coming to?,” “people are pure evil,” and “I fear for my children and their future.” This certainly isn’t anything new–it was the same story after the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado, and countless other tragedies since, excuse my cli

Continue reading more about what the new season holds in store for us here at the farm, as Livestock Manager, Polly Festa prepares for her new arrivals… Today I find myself wishing I had the ability to speed up time. I am waiting with baited breath for the coming season. I don’t mean spring; I acutely enjoy the winter–as long as it is not an Upstate New York winter. The season I am so antsy for is the birthing season. The farmers at the Ecosystem Farm get to see their hard wo

Just 9 days old! Bliss is a sweet addition to the Milking Devon herd. by Polly Festa, Livestock Manager It’s a girl! “Liz” of the National Colonial Farm and Meadow Brook’s “Gabe” are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, “Bliss”. Born on December, 20, 2010, Bliss is a very active and healthy calf, and she loves to play chase with the other recent additions to the herd, “Loin” and “Mary Gertrude”. “Lorelei”, “Patty”, and “JuJubee” are big girls now and don’t want to b

This week’s Pic of the Week photo was taken and sent to us by a frequent “visitor” to the farm. We absolutely love candid photos like this, you just never know what you may see when strolling around Piscataway Park. This little bugger has been caught, quite frequently, wadding in his “kiddie pool” by many and no matter how many times we’ve coerced him out of the water, he just keeps sneaking back in. Ah well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! Milking Devon Cattle Keeping Cool