|
About Us Welcome to my website! Gaines Farm and Kennels is owned and operated by
Howard Gaines III, a Delaware resident since 1962. In 2009, I retired from a 28 year career in education, now it's time to
start something else! Back in 1997, I purchased this 35 acre farm and knew I had lots to do. The ground was tilled
from one property line to the next; there were no hedgerows, few trees, and no wildlife, nothing. It was time for a plan!
Armed with an environmental battle plan, I went to work. I started with a small
farm pond, something that I could use for pan fishing in the spring and summer time and waterfowling during the fall
and winter months. I then looked into establishing several hedgerows for soil and wildlife conservation. With a
growing list of things to do and things which I needed to get done, I also shifted gears to planting several stands of
Christmas trees. Oh Christmas Trees... Christmas
tree production has been an aspect to the farm that I've wanted to do since day one. Growing up as a kid, we have always
had a live tree for Christmas. There's something to be said about going out and cutting a fresh tree and having it in the
home...the tradition continues! I have several types and sizes of Christmas trees for seasonal use and for landscaping
purposes. Some of these varieties include the Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Eastern White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, Ponderosa Pine,
White Spruce, Canaan Fir, Eastern Red Cedar, Serbian Spruce, and Balsam Fir. Christmas tree sales start on Thanksgiving weekend and end two days before Christmas.
I offer tag now, fresh cut, you dig, and I have some daily pre-cut tree specials. Prices are generally based
on the size and type offered for that year. Offering White pines, cut fresh daily, for $25.00 is a bargin for a
tree approximately 6' tall. Dug trees are roughly $20.00 more and YOU do the work. This is a great way to have the kids being
part of the fun. Our Dogs A farm without herding
dogs makes as much sense as using a sports car to plow a field! I have two herding breeds, the Bouvier des Flandres and the
Border Collie. While both are herders, only the Border Collie has the power to really get it done! The Border Collie is the
number one dog for herding and livestock control on the farm. The Bouviers are used for property and personal protection,
when you see the photos you'll understand how they work. You would be hard pressed to find better workers at any location! Border Collies...some are of the opinion that they aren't a farm use item. I guess that's the reason they
don't farm and work for the state government! The next time they get such a great thought, come on out and show me how YOU
herd and control sheep for dewormings and basic shots! Katahdin Hair Sheep In
the springtime, I offer ram and ewe lambs for sale. This is also a great time to pick up dogged sheep for your herding dog
and herding lessons. All you need are five or so and then it's "training time." Check our sheep page for more information. First, Last, Always! Delaware
isn't called "The First State" for nothing. A few years ago, they came up with a stupid saying for Delaware, "It's
good to be first," what a waste to taxpayer's money it was for this piece of state advertising...leave well enough alone
for a change! Delaware has many small farms that are unique in the products or services offered and in agricultural history.
If you are passing through "The First State" and would like to stop by, give a call and I'll make
you feel right at home!
Our first attempt at a Gaines Farm and
Kennels "website" in 1997.
Natural Bug Control.
|
