We moved to the farm 35 years ago from North Minneapolis.  We had that feeling or need to “go back-to-the-land”.  Loretta primarily wanted to live in a country setting where she could raise fiber animals to help support her spinning habit.  Jerry yearned for dark skies to use his telescopes – as things turned out – wrenching on John Deere tractors and cutting hay became more important than building that dream observatory.  Both of us are now submersed in the fiber arts and enjoy raising our fiber animals, teaching what we have learned and selling the fruit of our labor – extremely nice fleeces, yarns and finished products.  We are extremely fortunate to have blackberries growing all over our 140 acres – thus “Blackberry Hills”.

Basically, we are a fiber-farm.  At Blackberry Hills we have recently have culled our sheep flock to around 15 as we start enjoying retirement.

You can see us next at:

Shepherds Harvest

May -Mother’s Day Weekend – Washington County Fair Grounds

The Minnesota State Fair

We are members of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers and have our products there in the Diary Building . . . Loretta also will be working there 8 days.

Orchard House Gallery Fall Festival

Baker Orchard in Centuria, WI Sept 28, 2024

Classes – Weaving & Spinning

Loretta is currently doing classes upon request.