A chance to see humane farming in bloom

Meet our spring babies — and watch them live from the pasture

This is the eighth installment in the WholeHarvest Year series, which aims to chronicle the farming cycle at Ayrshire Farm.

There’s something magical about spring on the farm — and at Ayrshire Farm, that magic is rooted in our commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and a deep respect for the land.

As the earth reawakens, so does farm life. The fields are greening, the air is warming, and most exciting of all, new life is arriving across the pastures.

A Season of Birth and Balance

By mid-April, the 2025 spring calving season is wrapping up, with 40 Ancient White Park and English Longhorn calves born this year – breeds known for their hardiness and ability to thrive outdoors on open pasture without the added inputs of intense agriculture.

Elsewhere on the property, 30 Gloucestershire Old Spots piglets have joined the farm family, making their home on open woodland pastures.

Each spring, we welcome piglets and calves into the world with the same care and attention that define everything we do. Raised humanely and organically, our animals live as nature intended — rooting, roaming, and nursing under the watchful eyes of their mothers.

This isn’t just the way farming used to be, it’s the way it should be. At Ayrshire Farm, sustainability means more than a buzzword. It means preserving soil health, protecting biodiversity, and prioritizing animal welfare at every step.

Nurturing the Soil That Sustains Us

While the animals are busy growing, our fields are too. This time of year, we’re seeding our pastures with a blend of perennial grasses like timothy and rye, along with nutrient-rich clover and legumes. These plantings do more than feed our livestock — they enrich the soil, support pollinators, and contribute to long-term land health.

By using sustainable no-till seeding methods, we protect the integrity of our soil, reduce erosion, conserve moisture, and keep carbon locked safely in the ground. It’s one more way we align our practices with the rhythms of nature — because we believe farming should heal the land, not harm it.

See It for Yourself: Live Pig & Cow Cams

Want a glimpse into real farm life? Tune into our live Piggy Cam and Calf Cam where you can catch glimpses of snoozing pigs or cattle enjoying the spring sunshine. These real-time windows into farm life are a wonderful way to stay connected with where your food comes from — and how it’s raised.

Experience the Farm in Person

Want to go beyond the webcam? We’d love to welcome you to Ayrshire Farm this spring! Meet the animals, tour the grounds, and see firsthand how sustainability comes to life here in Hunt Country.

What: Hunter’s Head Tavern Fork-To-Farm Tour
When: Saturday, April 26 at Noon & 2 p.m.
Details: Start with a meal at Hunter’s Head Tavern, then hop aboard our trolley to Ayrshire Farm where you’ll discover the sustainable practices that bring your meal from pasture to plate.
Tickets & Info: huntersheadtavern.com

What: Loudoun County Spring Farm Tour
When: Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Details: Explore farms across the county — including ours! A fun, free, family-friendly event celebrating local agriculture.
Info: loudounfarms.org/farmtour

What: Hunt Country Stable Tour
When: Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Details: Tour historic stables and estates throughout Hunt Country, including Ayrshire Farm, where horses, heritage breeds, and history meet.
Tickets & Info: trinityupperville.org/hunt-country-stable-tour

Spring is a time of growth — and we invite you to grow with us. Whether you’re watching from home, dining at Hunter’s Head Tavern, or touring the farm in person, thank you for supporting sustainable, humane agriculture.

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Snow days on the farm: No rest for the weathered