Spring means lambing time at the A-Z Farm in Dane County. Ray, left, and Tony Antoniewicz
are shown checking on a lamb in their growing flock. The family has opened its lambing barn
to the public this year to promote ag awareness and profit.
Lambing attracts visitors to A-Z Farm
Regional Editor
Oregon-–As if lambing time weren't hectic enough, the Antoniewicz family has opened its barn doors to the public.
For Ray and Alice Antoniewicz and their grown children, it's a combination of goodwill and exploring a new revenue generator for their farm.
The Dane County couple is still developing the possibilities for an "educational farm" for people without access to a farm.
The idea started after they hosted five local school groups two years ago at the 37-acre A-Z Farm, south of Madison at 1820 Schuster Road, just outside of Oregon.
This month they've opened their lambing barn to the public over the last two Sundays, with one more set for March 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guided by newspaper advertising and a few free radio spots, about 280 people showed up on St. Patrick's Day.
The admission fee is $3 per person, or $10 per family; children four and younger are admitted free.
Group tours can be scheduled for other dates and times. So far nearly 25 preschool, daycares, and scouting groups have visited.
Mrs. Antoniewicz is a nurse and part-time hospital supervisor. Mr. Antoniewicz retired four years ago as the horse specialist with UW-Extension after 32 years with the university.
Both enjoy working with people, and they've noticed a growing interest by urban families to show their children a farm setting. Mr. Antoniewicz said his visitors also appreciate the family-oriented, rural setting that's just a short ride from home.
Still, his son, Tony, notices that urban folks don't always know the terminology to use–like saying "fur" or "hair" when them mean "wool." Most also never consider where a produce like lanolin comes from.
Mr. Antoniewicz, a horse enthusiast, began raising sheep during his career at the university. At times, he assisted with the sheep program there. Soon he bought a 4-H flock and built it up from a few ewes to more than 100.
He still keeps around three trail-riding horses, but said he wanted to focus on something his family could eat.
They've had up to 126 ewes of various breeds at one time. They now have 105 Dorset, Targee, Hampshire and Texel ewes, selected for rate of multiple births and weight gain, muscle and mothering qualities.
The flock is experiencing a more than 200 percent lambing crop this spring.
"I'm kinda glad we don't have 126 ewes," he said.
More sheep would crowd the space available in the former horse riding arena turned into a lambing barn and public viewing area.
"We can't keep them all," he said, noting that the feeder lambs are shipped in August.
Among the market opportunities they want to develop are replacement ewes and full fleeces of raw wool.
They sold several fleeces this year during a sheep shearing event they held for spectators in February.
"That went over real good," he said.
Commercial vendors were also on hand to sell wool products and provide spinning demonstrations.
What could be more photgenic than a flock of newborn lambs? They come along at a time of year when photographrs scramble to find a good picture that doesn't include drab gray skies, brown lawns and muddy fields. These cuties were snapped at the A-Z Farm in Dane County.
"By getting into this, it's exposing us to other niche markets to explore," he said.
Due to a number of inquiries, they'll start pasturing poultry this summer.
In addition to lambs, the Antoniewiczs keep chickens and rabbits around for youths to see and touch.
Future plans at the farm might include developing more educational programming, constructing a barn-like classroom setting, and hosting parties and hayrides.
For more information, contact the Antoniewicz family at (608) 835-5553 or by e-mail at rayatoz@merr.com.
Casey Langan may be reached at CaseyL@ticon.net.
Reprinted with Permission
of The Country Today
of The Country Today
