Our First Official Logo!

We couldn't be happier with our logo. There is quite a bit of symbolism that may not be apparent. We wanted to lay it out for people to truly see who we are as an organization. 

1) Soil - Rarely if ever do you see soil in a farms logo. It is our primary focus and we felt it appropriate for people to have to look to the soil to find out who we are. 

2) The Farmer - Our farmer in fabulous flannel could be either a man or a woman. This is to represent the fact that Becca is often the one moving the animals during the day despite Danny being the farmer everyone recognizes. With the farmer facing away, it also implies this model can be replicated by other farmers. 

3) In the Shepherd's right hand is the staff. The shepherd's staff represents guiding his sheep, caring for them and defending them. Danny put down his M-16 A2 from the Marine Corps and picked up a new weapon in the fight against climate change: a staff. It is also biblically symbolic. Danny feels God has chosen him for this mission. Much like when Moses put down his sword and was given a lowly staff by God to free the people of Egypt, Danny wields the staff with a surety that God will get us through anything. 

4) In the Shepherd's left hand is the conductor's wand. This is to represent our mantra that each part of the farm is an instrument that plays a beautiful sound. It is the farmer's job to ensure each "instrument" is harmonizing well, adding to a greater whole. 

5) The sun - While this may seem obvious, notice how everything is pointing towards the sun. Everything we do is focused on keeping plants green and growing. The sun is also what dictates how we plant our fruit and nut trees. The sun is also symbolic of the Son, Jesus. Notice the position of the farmer's hands. The are out and lifted somewhat up as if in surrender towards the Son. Farming is the greatest act of faith I know. It is a terrifying, rewarding roller coaster of a challenge and God provides us what we need and only when we need it. I will write more blog posts on this subject later. Without the sun/Son, we have nothing. 

6) Nut Trees - Our farm celebrates large, mast producing trees. Many farmers fear planting trees so large in the pastures. When properly planted, they are a wonderful addition and add to the overall strength of the complex yet uncomplicated system. They produce a saleable crop, provide shade for the animals in the heat, and a wealth of habitat for the birds and insects that rely on them. The two nut trees pictured mostly represent Oak, Chinese and American Chestnut, Black Walnut, and Hickory. We also have quite a few hazelnut bushes. 

7) the Fruit trees - Our fruit trees are the main landscape feature in our pastures. They are the primary source of shade in our pastures and provide so much: pollen for bees, beautiful early Spring Picture opportunities, spaced out branches for birds to land, windfall fruit for our animals to eat, obviously fruit for people, eventually flavored wood chunks for grilling and smoking, shade for the sheep, potential income from the pruning that can be grafted onto new rootstock to make new trees, a potential habit for edible mushrooms like morels and wine caps and so much more. If you notice, the position of the fruit trees in relation to the sun means the grass is partially shaded. This is very important for not only the animals during the Summer, but also the grass itself. Our cool season pastures really grow well despite the heat because they get plenty of rest and shade that moves; keeping the soil cool while still providing the direct sunlight for the pasture to grow.

8) The large plant in the grass under the trees is supposed to be comfrey. Comfrey has a symbiotic relationship with the fruit trees in that comfrey helps fight grass which hurts the fruit tree. It also is a dynamic accumulator which is a fancy way of saying it soaks up extra certain minerals and makes them more bioavailable to other plants in the system. Comfrey is wonderful to graze but it can also be sold as an herb, fresh or dried. 

9) The Chicken- the chicken follows the cows as birds are the experts at being nature's janitors. Chickens help scratch apart cow manure piles or cow "patties" which keeps the fly population down. Chickens are naturally omnivores (so please never buy fancy eggs that say "from hens fed a vegetarian diet) and appreciate the bugs attracted to the other animals. You also get an egg and meat from them.

10) The cow- You may notice how little this cow is. Yes, the scale is somewhat off but that is somewhat intentional for a few reasons: a. smaller framed cows do better on grass and b. we didn't want our logo dominated by a single animal. Cows have dietary preferences that differ from sheep and pigs. Cows like tall grass. Their heavy weight makes pushing seed or plant biomass into the ground during dry weather easier. It is a challenge to manage that same affect in the Winter.

11) The sheep - Our specialty from the beginning has been sheep. We have planted pastures solely with sheep. We have improved soil with sheep. We have built a reputation on sheep. We keep ours out year round and can't imagine farming without them. They are very easy on new soil, on wet soil and our wild birds just adore sitting on our ewes' backs and being in with them. The lambs are always a hit and we feel a great deal of pride seeing someone who has sworn off trying lamb taste ours for the first time. 

12) Pigs- Pigs are a very self limiting enterprise so far. We constantly strive to acquire genetics that are hardy enough to farrow outside and gentle enough they don't destroy the pasture. Pigs are wonderful obviously for eating but also for cleaning up windfall fruit under the fruit trees, taking advantage of acorns and walnuts and hickory nuts where they fall, and for plugging holes in any of our ponds. The pork we sell is the dark meat, marbled perfection best cooked medium rare on the grill. 

13) The wildlife!! Since starting our farm on our own land just two years ago, we have seen a complete rejuvenation of the food chain from all the field mice and wild rabbits to the hawks above. Birds love our farm and that is nature's greatest compliment to us. What is good for the bird is good for the herd. Eventually, we would like to partner with the Cincinnati Zoo to help document our different species of wildlife that has taken refuge on our agricultural sanctuary. 

14) The circle itself. Everything we do and each piece of our puzzle is part of a greater whole. I think a lot of mankind, especially those who do not consider the envinronmental ramifications of their food choices, see themselves as outside the circle. Lately, as life becomes more and more convenient and busy, we care less and less about what is in the circle. Some of us take such an image and lament our very existence on this planet. I, for one, love the vision I have been given and I love the chance to help others. Yes, our planet is being trashed thoroughly but instead of accepting that fact, we must do what we can to respect and save the environment right in our own backyards, neighborhoods, communities and cities. Why support the fight against deforestation in other countries but take part in clear cutting our native woodlands to put in malls and parking lots. Why support earth day and then go to a festival or concert and throw all your trash on the ground. Envision ourselves in the circle and as stewards of the rest of the circle. Only then will our great grandchildren have a chance at a normal life.

     Overall, this logo speaks of the balance and harmony of our farm. People who farm based on this logo description will have an abundant and fruitful farm that will outproduce itself year after year while fighting climate change.