Welcome to The Shire in Illinois, where all good things grow.
We offer classes, retreats, education, farm products, and time-outs for adults that are looking for health, healing, wellness, fulfillment, discovery, and hope.
Regenerative. Holistic. Wellness Centered. Compassionate to all living things.
Personal wellness IS horsemanship.
Through the Eyes of a Horse Program
Education program featuring one of the most holistic approaches to compassionate horsecare and the equestrian life. We use horses to learn about ourselves and our own experiences to learn about horses - this duality ensures life-changing growth and healing.
Two certification tracks are available.
The Comforting Seat
I have custom-designed a riding simulator that moves in all planes of motion, pinpoints the holes in our riding posture and movement, and is THE MOST AFFORDABLE addition to your riding and lesson program. Purchase also includes lifetime support, ongoing lesson plans, and certification.
Demo during plant sale April 25th at The Shire
Offered as classes at PFFC 2026
Herbal Education
Herbal education focused on super local plants and Appalachian historical uses.
Herbal products also available
Adding Draft Power
The Shire is slowly adding draft power, and at times borrowing hiring out to two reputable farms - Oxeye Farm and Spotted Ox Farm. We are in good hands or... hooves.
The Shire has a home-trained Brabant cross, a Perch cross broodmare, and two Tennessee Walker Mares. We are very excited for the future and adding more horsepower to our fields.
Draft power is an important part of regenerative farming
The Great Wheat Experiment
From a wellness expert turned farmer and a passionate baker, we bring you The Great Wheat Experiment!
We are focused on growing antique wheat varieties, using new information paired with old farming and handling principles to see if we can make wheat healthy. Learning to manage the seed, earth, growing practices, handling, milling, and baking is an epic adventure that we are excited for.
How can we put the wellness back in wheat?
April 25th at The Shire
May tbd at PFFC
Plant Sales!
Sold out 2025!
Teaming up with Meadow Lane Farm to provide a unique collection of culinary heirlooms from across the world.
We will have the most diverse range of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and potted fruit trees you'll find around.
Vegetables, herbs, flower starts
Potted roses
Potted Fruit Trees
Aged compost
Waste hay for mulch
Complete List: tbd
Speaker at The Organic Grains Conference, 2025, 2026
Hay Sales
Natural Hay, made with care and dedication
SOLD OUT FOR 2025
We will never use fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, on our hay. We aim to minimize dust, and put it up dry.
We prefer using natural twine to limit twine and dog-end littering.
All hay is stored in a well-ventilated hoophouse. There will be some bleaching on the outer 1/3 of an inch of outside bales.
Types of Hay Grown:
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Alfa
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Alfa Mix
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Grass Mix - special low-sugar blend of Timothy, Bluestem, Brome, Orchard Grass, forbs, and medicinal plants.
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For 2026 we are trialing TEFF and Straight Timothy
Usually first cut is the second week of May.
Our bales are between 40 - 50lbs, we mostly do small squares.
Hay tests here: tbd
Hay information here: tbd
Cut Willow Bundles
We will have our first small harvest of willow bundles in 2026
Planting willows as part of our soil rehabilitation work and in strategic places within a windbreak hedgerow. We are excited to bring basket weaving and hurdle making to The Shire.
Baskets combine craft, intention, and green building materials
Cut Lavender and Herbal Products
More info coming soon
