Our Story: From a Shared Dream to Gaming Farm LLC
Welcome to Gaming Farm LLC, nestled in the beautiful countryside of Bellevue, Michigan! Our journey into sheep farming wasn't a quick leap, but a long-held dream nurtured over five years while living in an apartment, yearning for open land and the gentle presence of a flock. During those years, our commitment to one day becoming good shepherds fueled an incredible amount of hard work – often more than 80 hours a week – as we diligently saved to make our dream a reality.
Our limited free time was filled with research. We devoured every book, website, and resource we could find on sheep care, breed characteristics, and sustainable farming. We were determined that when the time came, we would be well-informed and ready to provide the best possible life for our future animals.
Finally, in 2003, our hard work paid off, and we purchased the farm here in Bellevue, MI, that is now our home and sanctuary. Choosing a name for our new venture wasn't an easy task! As avid board game enthusiasts with a collection of over 300 games, the name eventually clicked: Gaming Farm LLC. It perfectly captures our two great passions, and we like to say: when you come to Gaming Farm, you can come for the farming, or stick around for the gaming! From that moment, Gaming Farm LLC was truly born, and we immediately began preparing the land for our flock.
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to implement a rotational grazing system. This practice, beneficial for both the land and the animals, became our first major project. The initial task of installing the outer perimeter fence with woven wire was a labor of love, taking several months of dedicated effort. Following that, we meticulously designed and built the interior fencing, creating over 20 individual paddocks – all with durable woven wire – to allow our sheep to regularly move to fresh pasture. A unique feature of our system is a 10-foot laneway between the outer perimeter fence and the interior paddock fences. This serves as a secure run for our dogs, allowing them to patrol and act as a natural deterrent to predators.
Meet the Team at Gaming Farm LLC:
We are Jen and Kraig, partners in both life and this farming adventure. We're fortunate to have our good friend, Emily, as our dedicated farmhand. You'll often find her daughter, Eliza, lending a cheerful hand around the farm too! When we're not tending to the sheep or the land, we are both college professors. It’s a busy life, but a fulfilling one. Occasionally, our students will visit Gaming Farm LLC, sometimes to help with a project, and often just to spend time with the animals, finding a peaceful escape and a bit of stress relief.
Our four-legged team members are just as integral to life here:
Our Dogs: We have three energetic Border Collies – Freyja, Ragnar, and Runa – and our wonderful Borador (Border Collie/Lab mix), Siggy. They are not only our companions but also play a vital role in our predator deterrence strategy, enjoying their patrol duties in the laneway.
Our Farm Cat: Then there's Buddy, quite possibly the friendliest cat you'll ever meet! He adores attention from anyone willing to give it and is a master mouser, keeping our barn well-tended.
Our Inspiration:
Our love for sheep began with a particular fascination for the Soay breed. We were captivated by their small, hardy stature and their incredible Viking heritage, connecting them to ancient pastoral traditions. This deep appreciation for history and heritage is reflected in how we name our animals – all our sheep and dogs at Gaming Farm LLC bear proud Norse names.
We are passionate about responsible farming, the well-being of our animals, and sharing the unique joy that comes from working closely with the land and these remarkable creatures. Thank you for visiting our website and taking the time to learn a little more about us and Gaming Farm LLC!