WHAT are they wearing?!

Have you ever seen a horse wearing this funny looking thing on their face and wondered, "What is that!"

That is a fly mask! Our horses LOVE them! They work like sunglasses so our horses don't have to squint in the sun, and also keep the flies out of the horses' eyes and faces. When they see me coming with the masks, they all trot up and try to be the first to get their mask on. They can see through the masks just like you can see through sunglasses, and there is a nice, woolly padding where their ears poke through and where it goes around their nose. They are super, super comfortable and light weight. I might want one - my sunglasses squeeze my face sometimes!

Our horses have been silly the last couple of days. With all of the renovations to the arena, they've been moved down to a pen near the cows for a while, and there are trees and all sorts of shrubs nearby. Horses (especially our crazy guys) love shrubs! Big Ben, our retired racehorse, was playing with a branch that someone had knocked down. I went to take it away from him and he pulled back - he didn't want me to take his branch away! I pulled a little harder and that's when he decided to let go, and make me stumble backward. He pulled his lip back and trotted away shaking his head - he thought he was being funny! Crazy horses... :)

Say "hay" to Ben!

Meet our newest addition - Ben! He's a BIG boy, coming in at almost 17 hands high at the shoulders. He is so tall, I need to stand on a bucket to get tall enough so I can put my foot in the stirrup to get on!

He is a thoroughbred, and is "off the track" which means he is a retired racehorse. When working in the roundpen, he only likes to go left - which makes sense, because racehorses run in a circle to the left!

He likes to play tricks on us too. When we are filling up his water bucket, he likes to take the hose out of the bucket and then look innocent as the water is going everywhere! He also tries to get hay on the other side of the fence - check out the picture of him bending down! Most horses don't do silly stuff like that...

He is a sweet, sweet horse and we love him!

Say it ain't so!

Today we had the Christ Lutheran 3rd graders visit us again this year. Being the school that my cousins children attend, I wanted to be out on the Farm to say "hello" to them.

You all know that one of my favorite things to do is to introduce the children to our chickens. Little Ricky, our Mille Fleur D'Uccle rooster is always a huge favorite with everyone. As I hand him to waiting arms of the children..patiently waiting in line, I like to educate them a little about chickens and the parts of their body. Many times I will point to the chicken's comb and ask, "Does anyone one know what this part of it's body is called. I have gotten many responses...His Mohawk! His Crown, His Brush..just to name a few.
Today I was told by a cute young girl, "I don't know what it is called--but it sure looks like my grandpa's skin!"

Well, I'm off to lotion myself...I might remind Hector to do the same.
Glenda

Superstition Farm is having a little get together on Memorial Day; this Monday May 25th.

We're doing ONE tour at 9am and after the tour, there's gonna be a water-gun fight! BYOWG. (That's Bring Your Own Water Gun). Battle the Farmers or your little brother - it's a free-for-all. Let's start out in the hay maze and see what happens?

We're also going to have a little slip-n-slide action
set up using some of our feed tarps and some good ol' fashion aqua!

We'll celebrate Memorial Day and beat the heat all in the same day! Please try to attend. Regular tour admissions apply. Make plans for some of our home-made ice cream too! Oh goodness, we can hardly wait.

Yeah, baby chicks are coming soon!

We have some chickens sitting on eggs, we think now for about 20 days. Well....it takes only 21 days for a egg to hatch, so we should have some new baby chicks around the farm soon. Check back to see what happens!!!!

Our baby ducks are starting to grow up!

Superstition Farm got a video camera recently, and we thought we'd start out by filming our little, "baby" ducks running around, doing their thing. Well, I didn't realize, but these ducks are starting to look like real ducks. They sure grow up fast! They don't have feathers yet, but that's coming soon. We just know it.

Have you herd????

We've been talking about it...

We've been working on it....

Now we're gonna deliver! Superstition Farm in concert with Mooster's Moo-tique and Udder Delights collectively are offering a new dairy food club. Starting May 9th and continuing every other Saturday, we will be putting together pre-ordered packages of:

+Home-made Ice Cream
+Udder creamy Butter
+Farmer's Cheese from our cow's milk
+Free-range eggs from our hens
+and a Farm-fresh gallon of Milk

Together these items cost $26-$28 in our farm store. Pre-order and pre-pay and you'll get a couple advantages:

*You'll get all these items for only $22
*We'll make YOUR food on Friday night, you pick it up on Saturday morning!!! (Try to get that ANYWHERE else!)
*From time-to-time we'll offer ONLY to pre-paid customers a special, limited-edition, low-run product that change from month-to-month. How about a cherry mint ice cream? Mango butter? And there's more. These will only be offered to our loyal, pre-order customers. So be a part of the herd!

Get moo-ving, the hens only make so many eggs each day!

Visit http://www.superstitionfarmtours.com/organic.html to order.

A Sad day....

Our little lamb has been sick. We put him on a several medications and moved him to my back porch. This afternoon I checked on him and he was trembling and I felt something was going wrong. It’s something you learn being around animals. They cannot talk, but they have a way of communicating.

So, I picked him up and cradled him and gave him attention. He loved that. I took him inside my house and made a bed for him in my living room. I set up a fan to blow on him. I worried he was trembling from a fever. We hung out together for a few hours. Not knowing what else to do I got a cold washcloth and put it on his head – that’s what my mom did to me when I was a sick “kid.”

Later, he got up unexpectedly. I got down in his bedding and put him back down. He was weak. He stopped trembling, which made me nervous. I stroked him and talked to him for a little while. He then gave me a look I have seen many times in my life. He shook a little bit. I picked him up and rubbed his little body hard. I spoke loudly to him to try and shake him out of it.

Little Lambchop stopped breathing. I rubbed his little chest and even gave him little lamb CPR. His heart stopped. I couldn’t revive him.

Having all the animals we do, this kind of thing has played out hundreds of times on our farm over my lifetime. There have been many sad days here – but also many triumphs too. It is a part of the job that holds the highest satisfaction and accomplishment when things turn out and the deepest frustration and a jumble of emotions when things go bad.

Our little rescue baby premature runt of a lamb struck something in all of us. He was here for a short time, but loved by my family, the farm team and many families. You will outlive your animals. There is a mixture of emotions when one dies before it’s time. I hate to see animals in pain and suffering. You want them to be happy and fulfill their purpose on this world – whether it be eventually harvested or solely here to educate and petted by our guests.

I was certain Lambchop was going to be ok, that he was going to pull through – even while I was blowing air in his lungs. It wasn’t meant to be. You will be missed my wooly little friend.

Farmer Casey

SUPERSTITION FARM MAKES HUGE SHOWING AT AZCENTRAL.COM

East Valley farm is a ‘Down Home Delight’ say voters at AZCentral.com

Mesa, AZ—Friends and fans of Superstition Farm in east Mesa have cast their votes in ‘The Best of AZCentral.com’ and in doing so, made a huge impact for local business. Beating out some of the valley’s most popular and established attractions and entertainment venues, Superstition Farm has once again proven that they offer quality, family entertainment, fun-filled annual events and mooo-velous activities that are educational for children and adults.

The Stechnij family’s working dairy farm sets the gold standard in engaging agri-tainment. Farm tours via vintage hay wagon, an interactive petting zoo, a colorful organic garden, recycling in action and the activities of a real working dairy farm in action are just some of the many activities to be enjoyed at Superstition Farm. Western-style horseback riding lessons are also available year-round.

Mooster’s Mooo-tique at Superstition Farm offers the most unique, whimsical and adorable farm-related gifts, along with a variety of local foods such as farm fresh eggs, artisan cheeses, homemade butter, pastas, jellies and so much more. The gift selection at Mooster’s consistently leave their guests ‘clucking’, ‘mooo-ing’ and ‘squealing’ with delight!

Superstition Farm has been a specialty destination for many years and is open to the public for school tours, birthday parties and other special events. Superstition Farm is located at 3440 S. Hawes Road in Mesa, just north of Elliot and west of the 202 loop.

Baby lamb

This was a crazy week for us on the farm. We had 2 baby chicks hatch, and true story, the chicks were hatched by a duck!! And then...we had 6 baby ducks born. You guessed it, they we hatched by 3 chickens! Funny.
Well, then we had a baby piggy delivered to us. He is black and white and mud all over. Definately cute.
Finally, the week wouldn't be complete unless we got a baby lamb out here. Soooo, we got a baby lamb. He is SUPER cute and fuzzy. You've GOT TO come see him

Well folks, we'll check back in soon.


See ya on the farm!

Ostrich Farm Tour

Well, we decided to let someone else do a tour for once! On our way through Picacho Peak we visited Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch. It was a blast! Alison, Jason, baby Chloe and I fed baby deer, was pinched by craxy ostriches and accosted by colorful Lorikeets. They also have "DonkeyTown" where they have about 15 minis - including a little baby mini donkey. I hate to say it, but the baby may be the cutest thing - ever.

We met the owner, "Rooster" as he heard us screaming like babies in the Lorikeet aviary. Although we have lots of chickens on the farm, it was a new expirience going in the aviary and being covered with birds. He is a real character and we actually spent over an hour talking to him about our respective ventures and adventures. In fact, we left as friends.

If you are heading back East or to The Old Pueblo, take 15-20 minutes (he really doesnt want people to spend more time than that - heehee) out of your roadtrip and visit his ranch. It is a wonderful roadside attraction and you will not find anything like it anywhere. Tell 'em Superstition Farm sent ya.....
hhttp://www.roostercogburn.com/

Arizona Ag Day At Superstition Farm!!!

Did you know Arizona Agriculture is a $9.2 Billion Dollar Industry??? Come to Superstition Farm on Saturday, March 7th to see a piece of it!

Superstition Farm will be once again opening its doors to the public for one very special day! We'll have our hay ride going and our petting zoo open! Our riding horses will be giving rides, there will be fun, educational activities for all ages, and a $1 Farmer's Lunch! How can you beat that??? Other highlights will include a local chef cook-off, an ice cream eating contest, and artistic and educational activities.

Admission is only $2 per person (Kids 12 and under FREE!!!) or bring 3 cans of food to donate to Arizona Food Banks and admission is FREE!

Bring your family, friends and neighbors and MOOOOOOVE it on down to our farm! We'll be open to the public from 9am - 3 pm!

Any questions, call 602-432-6865 or email us at info@superstitionfarm.com

Reunite the Family at Superstition Farm!

We had the nicest time with a HUGE family out here last week that had gathered at our farm for a family reunion. What a great place to meet up with extended family you haven't seen in awhile! Big kids and little kids alike enjoyed the classroom, hayride, petting zoo and milk bar (chocolate is still the favorite flavor!). They brought a big picnic lunch and shared cookies with all the farmers - we sure appreciated it!

The kids were able to pet and brush our goats (Carmichael LOVED it!) under the watchful eye of their parents who relaxed at our picnic tables just a few yards away. The kids had such a great time in our playhouse and with our animals, the grownups were able to really talk and catch up.

Superstition Farm is a great place for any family gathering for many reasons. It's interactive - your family isn't just staring at a screen; they're talking, relating, holding and feeding animals and learning about the farm. It's more personal - we're not spread far and wide like a zoo. We're family oriented and all about having fun on the farm! Give us a call or an email to set up your own special family get together!

THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD...

I was just thinking of the nice mom that brought her 6 children to visit the farm yesterday. As her kids were running around the Animal Expo area, she had several questions about the farm and I enjoyed answering them and talking to her.

She then asked about my thoughts on all the salmonella recently found in foods from around the country. This was my chance to BRAG on our milk products. I asked her if she had ever heard of a milk recall. I assured her that our Arizona milk was safe. It goes through many tests to insure its safety before it gets in the grocery dairy case. I explained the procedures we had on the farm to make certain a cow that had been treated with any medications does not get mixed up with the healthy cows. I told her of the consequences we would face if we did allow any type of residues in our farm's milk and how that milk would NEVER make its way for public consumption.

As we finished our conversation, I could feel the pride I had knowing we provided our citizens with such a wonderful dairy product.

:o) Glenda

HEARTBREAKING NEWS

It is a sad day here at Superstition Farm. We lost our old friend and companion, Redbone this morning.

Redbone has been a Stechnij Family fixture for 17 years. Redbone, like many of our animals here at Superstition Farm was a "rescue" animal. We didn't find Redbone, he found us. He and his sister were dumped out in our desert and they found their way here to the farm. He was a skinny young dog. His sister had been hit by a car and needed medical attention. We found a home for her and we decided to keep the red male dog. He had his red coat and was very thin. Hector named him Redbone and his name always fit him.

Redbone was not the smartest young dog and often mischievous . One day he disappeared. We couldn't find him anywhere. Alison was so upset. She made a cardboard sign writing "Lost-red pup-we miss him a lot". She left our address and phone number and hung it on a telephone pole on Elliot Road. A short time later a nice young man came walking up to our front door with this big red bundle in his arms. Countless times over the years we would find him with cuts and bruises from fights with the local coyotes.

Redbone always thought he needed to be "working" when we were around him. We would come outside and he would be sleeping under the old shade tree. When he saw us, he would jump up and grab the first thing he found on the ground and carry it in his mouth. It might be a stick, a leaf, a piece of paper..one time it was a Bic pen another time it was a cigarette butt..he just felt he needed to act busy for us.

As the years passed, his red coat was replaced with white hair. He loved going to our cabin in Lakeside each summer. I think he appreciated getting away from the heat and reuniting with his youth. I loved seeing this old man running through the forest sniffing at new smells and rolling in the leaves.

When we opened up the farm for tours Redbone was always there to greet the guests. The thousands of children that have visited us got to see the cows, horses, chickens, turkey, donkey, bunnies and goats on the farm. Many times as the children were leaving I would ask, "Which was your favorite farm animal today?" I cannot count the times that the response was, "The DOG!" He loved the children and we never had to worry about him biting or snipping at them. He had a special way of making you pet him. When your hands were at your side, he would walk up and put his head under your hands. Many times I would see a group of children squatting on the ground..in the middle of the huddle was Redbone enjoying all the attention.

I think he had a good life here at Superstition Farm. He certainly showed us that the term 'Rescue Animal" does not pertain to the animal itself. He was the animal that rescued us and became a vital part of our family. He was a devoted friend and showed us unconditional love.

He will be missed.

Meet M&M!

Have you ever heard that if a horse is laying down, they're sick? Not true! Sometimes horses lay down just to rest, and that's just what I caught our horse M&M doing last week! She was sleeping so deeply, I was able to open my truck door and get my camera and she didn't even move!

M&M is a sixteen year old Arabian/Morgan cross who loves kids as much as she loves to sleep. M&M is a mare, which is what we call girl horses. She is a favorite amongst the students because of her small size and her adorable face. M&M is what is called a "flea bitten gray" because of her brown spots all over her body.

M&M used to barrel race before coming to Superstition Farm. Barrel racing is run in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Fastest time wins! M&M loves to turn quickly with the intermediate students - it reminds her of her racing days! M&M is also great with the beginners - she's sweet and calm. She's an awesome all around horse! M&M is so popular with the students, I've had to do rock-paper-scissors to figure out which student will ride her for that day. M&M's best friend on the farm is Chad, our 22 year old Thoroughbred gelding. Check back for more about Chad!

Rachel

Rachel Sabrowsky, Riding Instructor!

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Sabrowsky and I am proud to be Superstition Farm's Riding Instructor and horse trainer! I have been working part time at the Farm for about a year now, but just recently have been able to quit my boring office job and come to the farm full time. I am excited to be able to do what I love all day long!

I grew up in a tiny logging and farming community named Sedro-Woolley, WA. I was lucky enough to grow up out in the country with a horse, chickens, geese, pigs, dogs and cats and two sisters. We spent our days out and about, exploring and being "pioneers" with our pets. We picked wild blackberries, built forts under the trees, and there were many times when my mom wouldn't see us until it was dark!

My horse was a BIG quarter horse with a smidge of Percheron named Abendigo. That was always too long to say, so we just called him Ben, or Benny. He still lives on my parents' property in Sedro-Woolley, just enjoying life, but this last winter, I think he would have liked to move to Arizona to be with me - Sedro-Woolley was covered in snow! He is getting older, and will live out his days with my mom and dad.

In Sedro-Woolley, there is a major festival called the Loggerodeo. It's part logging exhibition, part rodeo, all fun! I spent years as a part of this fun festival - some years as part of the grand entry flag team, and one year as rodeo queen! I also tried as a barrel racer, and my horse wanted me to be a roper...but I was never very successful. He could sure chase the cows though!

Four years ago, I decided to have an adventure and move to Arizona. After missing horses and wishing every day that I could be with them again, I met Casey and Ali, and came on as their horse trainer at Superstition Farm. We started with just one riding horse, and now are up to six riding horses with one in training!

I am at the farm every day, doing what I love to do - and that is working with horses and kids! I get to drive the tractor sometimes too, and am learning more and more about the cows every day.

We have 8 crazy horses, and each has their own personality and quirks. Check back for more about them!