Welcome to Blackberry KeepBlackberry Keep is a small farm situated in the fertile Fraser Valley. It is located an hour east of Vancouver. I am interested in heritage breeds, heirloom vegetables and permaculture, and farm using sustainable methods. No chemicals or pesticides are used on the farm. The breeding goals for all the livestock are to help preserve heritage breeds, with a combination of holistic and traditional farming practices. My personal goals are to produce as much of the food for my own consumption as possible. My animals are raised holistically, but I do vaccinate the sheep and goats. Antibiotics are used only when absolutely necessary. Shetland sheep are the heart of the farm. My primary flock goals are fleece type and health. Secondary goals are preserving a diverse range of colours and patterns and conformation. The flock is NASSA registered. Lambing is expected late March-mid April 2021. Shearing takes place in April and raw fleeces in a range of colours are available for sale. Millspun yarn is available in natural colours. Please check the sales page or contact me for details. Nigerian Dwarf goats were added to the farm in 2013 for milking purposes but the little goats stole my heart. You may notice their pictures throughout the site. I started breeding them in 2014. The goats are registered with CLRC and the flock has been certified negative from CAE and Johne's annually. The next kids are due late December 2020 then again in April 2021. The farm dogs very spoilt livestock guardian dog, Maremma Cubby Bear and Beagle Seamus. Ancona ducks are the third breeding concentration. I imported hatching eggs from the US a number of years ago and have worked hard to help establish this critically endangered breed in Canada. In 2015 I joined with eight US breeders in an American Poultry Association recognized standard. It is a lengthy project but a necessary step in the preservation of these ducks. The proposed standard is a closely guarded secret and will not be public until the end of the five year project. Hatching eggs will be available for shipping across Canada in early 2021. Eating eggs are available most of the time. Enjoy and thanks for visiting the site, Joanna Clubs/AssociationsI am proud to belong to the following clubs/associations:
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