We are Dave, Pat and Travis Stewart, of Ashburnham, MA. While Dave works in the "real world," at the Massachusetts State Park computer systems, Pat works at the farm. While raising Nigerian dwarf goats, Pat also teaches about small farms and sustainability. Hames & Axle Farm started out to teach children who provides their milk, meat, eggs and other food. Little did we know we'd become "addicted" to Nigerian dwarf goats. Though we still do some in-class teaching, much of Pat's time is now given to the farm, and to educating adults and students about the issues facing America's small farms and consumers. She has also written a book, Personal Milkers: A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats, available from lulu.com, and some other ebooks available here. In addition, she is the editor of Ruminations; The Nigerian Dwarf and Mini-Dairy Goat magazine, which allows her to combine her years as a park interpreter with her years on the farm. Hames & Axle Farm is also a working farm. Our goats are more than just exhibition animals to us. We use their milk for our soaps, and eat a lot of their dairy products in our own cheeses, ice cream, yogurt, baking and fudge. We are also working toward self-sufficiency, returning poultry to the farm this year, as well as bringing in herbs, and bramble fruits. We believe that strong small farms keep everyone healthier, and happier. We try to live as lightly on the land as we can, and truly be "stewards" of this beautiful wild place we call home.
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