PENDLETON'S HARVEST MOON FARM, LLC
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Sheepdog Chronicles:
​Tales from Our Farm

May on the Farm: Growth, Grass, and Getting Ahead

5/10/2025

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May has arrived, and with it comes a surge of life across the farm. The lambs are here—bright-eyed and bouncing, filling the fields with their exuberant leaps and playful bleats. After the intensity of lambing season, there’s a shift happening. The barn is quieter now, but the pace outside is picking up.

The pastures are greening up quickly, and the smell of fresh grass is everywhere. We’re beginning the work of moving animals onto new ground, walking fence lines, and mapping out rotations that will carry us through the summer. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching the sheep spread out across a field of young grass, heads down, settling into the rhythm of grazing. It’s the kind of work that roots you in the moment.

The chicks are growing too—no longer the tiny puffballs we welcomed weeks ago, they’re feathering out and testing their wings. Soon enough, they’ll be ready to explore beyond the brooder and begin their own adventures around the farm.

Meanwhile, the bees are busy with their own season. They’re working the dandelions and early blooms, darting between flowers with a sense of urgency only bees possess. Their hum has become part of the background music of May, and it’s a reassuring sound—steady, focused, full of purpose.

There’s a long list of things to do, as always. Garden beds to prep. Fences to fix. Supplies to restock. But even in the hustle, we’re reminded to look up—to notice the blossoms, the lengthening light, the small miracles of this season.

Because May is more than a to-do list. It’s a moment of becoming, a season of transition where everything seems to be stretching, growing, reaching toward what’s next. And we’re doing the same—getting ahead where we can, pausing where we must, and staying present in the middle of it all.
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Spring - New Life on the Farm

4/19/2025

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Spring is in full swing on the farm, and with it comes the arrival of new life. The first lambs have made their way into the world, their wobbly legs and soft cries filling the barn with the unmistakable sound of the season. Each birth is a small triumph, a reminder of the delicate balance of care, patience, and sheer will that comes with lambing season.

Not far from the lambing pens, a new batch of baby chicks has arrived, peeping their way into the rhythm of farm life. Tiny, fragile, and full of promise, they scratch at their brooder as if testing their own independence already. They remind us that even the smallest creatures play a role in the cycle of the farm.

Spring is a season of transition, and while we prepare for the summer ahead—checking fences, planning pasture rotations, and readying the garden—we also remind ourselves to hold space for where we are now. There’s a tendency to rush forward, to plan for what’s next, but spring is fleeting, and the beauty of new life deserves our attention.
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For now, we’ll soak in these moments—the soft wool of a newborn lamb, the bright eyes of a newly hatched chick, the golden glimmer of bees at work. Because this season, like all seasons, will pass, and it’s in the small, quiet moments that the heart of farm life truly lives.
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The Waiting Begins!

3/15/2025

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Spring is starting to creep in on the farm, and with it comes the busiest and most exciting season of the year—lambing time. We are on the cusp of welcoming new life, and the anticipation is thick in the air. The barn has been cleaned, supplies are stocked, and now, we wait.

Tilly, ever the diligent sheepdog, has kicked into high gear, patrolling the area and keeping a watchful eye on the ewes. Maggie hovers nearby, full of her typical enthusiasm, and Ozzy is about to meet his first lambs. 

Beyond the barn, the first signs of spring are making themselves known. The daffodils are pushing their way up through the soil, a cheerful reminder that warmer days are ahead. In the greenhouse and on our windowsills, the first seedlings of the season are sprouting, promising fresh food and flowers in the months to come. And soon, the peeping of new baby chicks will join the chorus of farm sounds, adding to the feeling of renewal and growth that fills the air.

For now, the waiting begins. The ewes are round and heavy, their time drawing near. We check them morning and night, watching for those first telltale signs that a lamb is on its way. It’s a time of sleepless nights, of early mornings and long days, but it’s also a time of wonder.

Lambing season is never predictable. It brings moments of pure joy, some challenges, and the kind of lessons that only come from working alongside animals. But through it all, there’s nothing quite like the moment a newborn lamb takes its first breath, wobbles to its feet, and lets out its first little bleat.
Here on the farm, we are ready. The waiting may feel long, but soon enough, the barn will be filled with the sound of new life, and the work of raising the next generation will begin.
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Stay tuned for updates as lambing season unfolds!

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February on the Farm: Embracing the Quiet

2/15/2025

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Winter on the farm is a season of quiet preparation, where the rhythms of daily life slow, but never truly stop. While the fields rest beneath a blanket of frost, the heart of the farm remains warm and bustling with life.
A Barn Full of Life
Our sheep are comfortably settled in the barn for the season, where they have plenty of space to move around and a deep bedding of straw to insulate against the cold. They enjoy locally sourced hay, a choice that not only provides them with quality nutrition but also reduces our environmental footprint.
Aside from keeping our ewes and yearlings well fed, one of the biggest winter challenges on any livestock farm is ensuring a steady supply of fresh water. One of the best additions to our barn has been the drinking posts, which provide on-demand access to fresh water without requiring electricity or the risk of freezing. This innovative system makes winter animal care much easier and ensures that the flock stays hydrated even on the coldest days.

Ozzy, our ever-dedicated guardian dog, spends his days and nights in the barn with the sheep. He still has a lot to learn and has boundless energy, but his watchful presence reassures the flock.  Sharing the space with Ozzy are our barn cats, Baxter and Cece. They split their time between the sheep barn—where they nap among the hay bales—and another barn, where a warm fire offers a cozy retreat. These two have mastered the art of winter survival, always finding the warmest spot to curl up and rest.
Meanwhile, Tilly, our beloved McNab Shepherd, is embracing her semi-retirement with well-deserved relaxation. She has traded the open fields for a spot by the indoor wood stove, soaking up its warmth and enjoying the slower pace of winter. Though she still keeps a close eye on farm operations, her days are filled with more rest and well-earned comfort.

Winter’s Gifts
One of the best things about winter is the chance to slow down (just a little...) and embrace traditions that connect us to the land. Our wood cook stove becomes the heart of our home. It's the first place we all gather on cold mornings and it's a place to prepare warm, nourishing meals for our family. 
As we enjoy this season of stillness, we also prepare for what’s to come. Spring will soon bring lambs, fresh grass in the pastures, seedlings, and renewed energy. But for now, we welcome the quiet moments that winter offers. It’s a time to appreciate the warmth of the barn, the health and safety of our animals, and the simple, steady rhythms of farm life.
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Farmers Markets: A Gathering of Community and Nourishment - Even in Winter

1/18/2025

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The farmers market is more than just a place to sell produce and goods; it is a community cornerstone that fosters connection, resilience, and joy. Even in the depths of winter, our local market buzzes with warmth and camaraderie, reminding us why we love being part of this vibrant network.

One of the most rewarding aspects of participating in a farmers market is the strong sense of mutual support among vendors. We cheer for one another’s successes and rally together during tough times. Whether it’s someone's first big harvest or another vendor needing help to set up their tent, the market is a living example of how collective care strengthens everyone.

Every market day is also an opportunity to connect with the larger community and share the fruits of our labor—sometimes literally! We’re grateful for the chance to talk about our farm, our dogs (many customers are curious about Tilly, Maggie, and Ozzy!), and the practices that make what we do special.
These conversations often spark deeper appreciation for locally grown and raised food. 

While winter might seem like a quiet time for fresh, local foods, our market continues to showcase an impressive array of seasonal delights. From dried teas, fresh microgreens, mushrooms, specialty baked goods, and more, there is still plenty to savor! On our own table, we’ve brought eggs, packaged lamb cuts, and small craft items. Occasionally we have some jars of homemade jams that capture the flavors of the warmer months. Seeing these items find their way into our neighbors’ kitchens is one of the most satisfying parts of our work.

As we pack up at the end of a market day, we are so often filled with gratitude—for the people who braved the cold to support local farmers, for the vendors who make this community feel like a second family, and for the simple joys of sharing what we love with others.

The farmers market is a microcosm of what we work to cultivate on our farm: connection, resilience, and nourishment. It’s a reminder that even in the coldest months, there is warmth to be found in community and a shared love for good, honest food.

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Embracing Winter

12/21/2024

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As winter settles over the farm, a subtle stillness fills the air. The sheep, tucked away in the barn, quietly chew their hay, their soft breaths forming small clouds in the frosty morning light. The land, blanketed by frost or snow, rests in its seasonal slumber, and the hustle of summer’s busyness feels like a distant memory.
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Today, as we celebrate the Winter Solstice—the shortest day and longest night of the year—we take a moment to reflect on the season’s gifts. Winter, for us, is a time of pause. It’s a chance to step back, breathe deeply, and reset for the year ahead.

Inside the farmhouse, the scent of spiced cider and evergreen branches reminds us that this time of stillness is not just about slowing down; it’s about gathering joy. We cherish the simplicity of these months: the rhythmic sound of Ozzy’s gentle snores as he guards the barn, Maggie’s playful barks as she bounds through the yard, and Tilly’s quiet watchfulness, ever ready for the season to shift.

This quiet season allows us to reconnect with the deeper rhythm of life—a rhythm that’s easy to lose during the bustling spring and summer. As the year turns, we focus not on resolutions but on intentions: cultivating peace, nurturing the land, and embracing the lessons our animals teach us about patience, resilience, and trust.

The Winter Solstice marks a turning point, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light begins to return. As we look forward to longer days and new opportunities, we are filled with gratitude—for our farm, our animals, and the community that shares in our journey.

From all of us here on the farm, we wish you a joyful solstice, a peaceful winter, and a bright year ahead.
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Welcome!

11/23/2024

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Nestled on the east end of Long Island, our sheep farm is more than just a place—it’s a way of life. Here, the rhythm of our days is set by the hum of nature, the rustle of woolly companions, and the boundless energy of our three remarkable dogs who make it all possible.

Our story began with a vision to create a space where animals, land, and people could coexist in harmony. At the center of it all is Tilly, our wise and swift McNab Shepherd. As the farm's main sheepdog, Tilly's intelligence and agility are the heartbeat of our operation, guiding the flock and inspiring the way we work.

Joining Tilly is Maggie, our affectionate and cheeky English Shepherd. While she’s still perfecting her sheep-herding skills, Maggie’s protective instincts and playful nature bring joy and security to the farmyard. And then there’s Ozzy, our gentle giant—a Maremma Sheepdog with a knack for keeping the flock safe. His silly antics are a daily reminder of the joy in this journey.

Our farm isn’t just about sheep and dogs; it’s about the bond between humans and animals, the lessons we learn from the land, and the hope of building something sustainable for the future. Whether you’re a fellow farmer, a dog lover, or simply curious about our life, we’re excited to share this journey with you.
In the posts to come, you’ll meet our sheep and other animals, learn about life on the farm, and hear tales of teamwork, triumphs, and the occasional chaos (thanks, Maggie!). Welcome to our corner of the world. We’re glad you’re here!
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Location

We are located at
5558 Sound Avenue, ​Riverhead, NY 11901

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