Questa Farm | Rancho de la Questa

OUR LIVESTOCK

The Sheep

We raise Katahdin sheep, a hair coat breed developed in Maine in the 1950's.

Katahdins are a versatile meat and milk sheep with strong mothering instincts. They lamb easily and are resistant to parasites.

In addition to grazing, Katahdins forage - ideal for our forage based pasture management system.

Katahdin sheep shed their winter fluff and are tolerant of heat. They are usually naturally polled and their short tails are not docked.

OUR LIVESTOCK

The Goats

Our dairy goat herd is comprised of Royal Golden Guernseys, a rare breed originating on Guernsey in the Channel Islands of Great Britain. (The Royal designation came in 2024 courtesy of King Charles III.)

A smaller breed, they yield less milk than other dairy breeds, but their food intake is lower, and they yield larger cheese weight per volume than average. Their milk is exceptionally smooth and creamy and high in protein and butter fat, making it excellent for cheesemaking.

Dominique Rooster

OUR POULTRY

Wyandotte Rooster

We maintain a flock of 30-35 hens of various breeds but primarily the dual purpose Wyandotte and Spotted Sussex, and the Dominique, considered the oldest American chicken breed.

Indian Runner Duck

Spotted Sussex Hens

In addition, we have a small flock of assorted ducks to assist with pest control and contribute to egg production.

Swedish Black Drake

The Wildlife

Felicity with her Flock

Livestock are housed in our barn at night to protect them and the wildlife. Our two Polish Tatra Livestock Guardian dogs provide protection during the day.

Tobiaz on Patrol

The Garden, Orchard and Vineyard

We have over 100 fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and vines in our orchards and vineyard, including apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, pomegranites, persimmons, figs, mulberries, walnuts, filberts, walnuts, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes.

Vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown seasonally in our 4,000 square foot fenced garden. Due to our excellent Zone 9a climate, we are able to grow produce most of the year, including beans, cucumbers, corn, melons, tomatoes, okra, squash, artichokes, lettuces, spinach and brassicas.

We are vendors at the Santa Ysabel Farmers Market most Saturdays from April to December selling our fresh eggs, seasonal fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs, homemade jams and granola. Farm guests will be provided with information about eggs, fruits and vegetables available for purchase during their stay.

The Bees

Victor works with Bee Man Dan to rescue, relocate and rehabilitate bees. He and his co-workers humanely remove bees from attics, roofs, walls, chimneys, trees, etc. and transport the lucky ones here to beautiful Mesa Grande. Currently, there are 32 healthy hives established here.

The bees feed on native vegetation and cultivated herbs and flowering trees and shrubs. We rely on them to pollinate our fruit trees

Our Sustainable Practices

Stall manure and bedding is used to mulch and fertilize the garden and orchards.

We compost cow manure from San Pasqual Valley Soils for fertilizer.

The greenhouse supplies us with vegetable starts and protects frost sensitive trees and shrubs like banana, lime and passion fruit.

Daikon radish is planted to break up clay soil and move nutrients to the soil surface. Cover crops add nitrogen, protect the soil from run off and provide livestock forage.

We use drip irrigation to conserve water and Hugelkultur terraces to collect runoff.

Trees killed by oak borers are cut and used for firewood. Livestock graze the annual grasses to help reduce wildfire danger.

Solar panels generate much of our electricity.

We protect wildlife habitat and native food sources.