Lots going on at Robinsons’ on Old Rock Road

EXPLORING WEST AMWELL’S FARMLAND

By Betty Jane Hunt, Special Writer
   Gary Robinson and his wife Amy Whitney own 1.7 acres where they make the highest and best use of the land for living and agriculture. They bought their property on Old Rock Road (better known by old-timers as Stymiest Road) 17 years ago. They restored the old farmhouse that needed a lot of tender love and care at that point in time.
   Their children, Wiley and Sarah, were young then, but have since grown and moved out of the area. Mr. Robinson and Ms. Whitney both are semi-retired. He was a landscape designer for Rutgers and she was an adjunct professor of English literature at Raritan Valley. Her main occupation now is that of a potter with a small studio in the basement.
   When Wiley was old enough to join 4-H, they wanted him to have a project that was manageable. Mr. Robinson’s grandfather had sheep and Ms. Whitney always liked sheep — so sheep were what the family settled on. Wiley became very interested in his 4-H projects and in 2003 became Hunterdon County’s Shepherd of the Year, a high honor for a 4-H sheep club member. His mother said Wiley gained a lot from 4-H and all his experiences associated with being a 4-H club member.
   The couple has five sheep, a dozen chickens and two dogs, which they are raising for the Seeing Eye Program.
   The sheep are Romneys, which are resistant to foot rot and make great mothers. They are originally from the Romney Swamp in England. Their wool is of medium grade. It is mostly used to make things like rugs, bulky sweaters and comforters.
   The couple has someone come to shear the sheep in April. Next they send the raw fleece to a company in Michigan where the fleece is cleaned and some of it used to make comforters. They send back comforters and the cleaned fleece. Ms. Whitney showed me how light-weight the comforters are. They also are warm in winter and cool in summer.
   It takes 8 pounds of fleece to make a queen-sized comforter and they usually get 8-12 pounds of fleece per sheep. Ms. Whitney spins some of the fleece and Mr. Robinson weaves it into small table scarves and placemats. Anyone interested in these products can e-mail: [email protected] or call 397-2895.
   Pasture supports two sheep per acre — which is why they have to feed the sheep grain. Feeding grain and having to purchase second-cutting orchard grass hay is costly and takes away from profits, but that is not important compared to the enjoyment they get from the sheep and how their work connects them to a broad community of people. They have made many friends as members of the Garden State Sheep Breeders Club. This club has about 50 members from all over the state and has a big show each year at the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agriculture Fairgrounds. The show this year is Sept. 10 and 11. The couple is in charge of the children’s area at the show.
   They also are excited about participating in the West Amwell Fair, being planned this year for May 14 at the Municipal Building. Mr. Robinson plans to bring his puppets and puppet theater while his wife plans to bring a sheep and her spinning wheel.
   Besides the Sheep Breeders Club, they also have a network of friends who are hay and sheep farmers, spinners, weavers, and knitters.
   Currently there are approximately 5,000 sheep in New Jersey. The largest herds of Romneys are in the states of Oregon and Washington, they noted.
   Sheep, they reported, make great lawnmowers. Their manure really makes plants grow and then there is the wool and meat. They are not a lot of work. They get sheared once a year. Their toes need trimming twice a year, and they need shots once a year. Worms are the biggest problem. They need to be wormed three times per year.
   The couple did not have their sheep bred this year, but they usually “rent a ram” for about six weeks. Rams can become very aggressive, especially if they have been made into pets while young. Sheep give up easily if they get hurt or become ill. Ms. Whitney said her husband is “great with them and doesn’t let them give up. He is also great at helping to deliver the lambs.”
   As to the future, they are considering having several breeds so they can have what is called “a spinners flock.” Hand-spinners like the mixed fleece, because it can be made into different kinds of items. They had up to seven sheep at one point, but can’t have more than that because the land they have would not support more.
   The second users of the land are 12 Rhode Island Red chickens. Ms. Whitney said everybody should have some chickens. They not only provide eggs but they are easy to care for and produce good manure. The couple has fresh eggs everyday for home use, sell some to regular customers and give the bounty to the Lambertville Food Pantry.
   Their third agricultural use is a big garden, where sheep and chicken manure are used to make it productive. They also spread manure back on the pasture. They eat most of their garden produce when it is fresh. Ms. Whitney freezes some of the excess and gives the rest to the Lambertville Food Pantry.
   Their fourth enterprise is raising Seeing Eye dogs. This is not an agricultural use, but shows how a property can be used to make the world a better place. They are members of the Seeing Eye Club in Flemington. They have two black Labs, but can also get Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, or crosses between labs and retrievers. They get them as puppies at 7 weeks old. They go back to the Seeing Eye Foundation for more intensive training at 13 months for females and 15 months for males.
   About 50 percent of the dogs fail to become Seeing Eye dogs. They go to families to get used to people and to learn basic commands. The Seeing Eye Foundation, Morristown, pays for the food and veterinarians’ bills. The dogs only serve as Seeing Eye dogs for six-seven years, because the work is demanding. Upon retirement, many blind people keep the dogs as pets or the family that raised them has the option of getting them back.
   Ms. Whitney said raising the dogs is fun, provides them with another community of friends, and helps make the world a better place for blind people.
   Mr. Robinson and his wife make the most of their land. They are glad to be able to enjoy it and to share from it. They share their sheep at the fairgrounds. They have invited the local FFA (Future Farmers of America) to witness the shearing of their sheep. For several years their sheep took part in the annual Outdoor Nativity Pageant at Old Rock Church. They give to the blind through the Seeing Eye dogs and give eggs and vegetables to those less fortunate. One can’t talk to them for very long before their enthusiasm for what they do catches hold. One suddenly finds oneself wanting sheep, chickens, a garden and Seeing Eye dogs.
    Betty Jane Hunt is a member of West Amwell Township Agriculture Advisory Committee/