The farm is a wildlife corridor to the Red Deer River consisting of 154 acres of pasture, riparian areas and mixed forest in western Mountain View County.
Environment and Climate Change Canada have certified Kettle Crossing Farm as an Ecological Gift in recognition of its important biodiversity.
Our farm is blessed with two waterways. The land is bisected by the Fallen Timber Creek near its junction with the Red Deer River. A smaller stream called Community Creek runs into the Fallen Timber just behind our house.
The farm was named after a ford used by pioneers to cross the Fallen Timber. Someone had tossed an iron kettle into a tree beside the ford, leading to the appellation of Teakettle Crossing. Unfortunately, the ford disappeared in the flood of 2005. Wading in summer and crossing the ice in winter are now our means of getting across!
The pastures, encompassing about 60 acres, are now all on the west side of the creek. The east side and the riparian bank on the west are spruce forest with a scattering of poplar and alder.
We have counted six species of orchids at the farm and over 90 species of songbirds. Mammalian residents and visitors include deer, elk, moose, lynx, bears, pine martens, coyotes, foxes, bats, badgers, rabbits and various types of rodents.
For over a decade we raised dairy sheep and Jersey cows, and sold cheese at farmers’ markets. At present we produce vegetables, eggs and honey for the Bergen market, and have a couple of Jersey cows for milk along with pigs and ducks for our own consumption.
We adhere as close as we can to permaculture principles, refraining from the use of chemicals and depending on our own compost to enrich the soil. Our house is straw-bale constructed, with passive solar heat and solar-heated water.
With the help of Legacy Land Trust, we hope to maintain our forested and riparian environments and perhaps improve our pastures. It is a great consolation knowing that the land will have a guardian angel once we are gone.
Sandy Easterbook & Bob Griebel
Sandy & Bob have also placed a conservation easement on Sullivan Lake.
Sandy EasterbrookProtected: Westhawk Farms 2021