Our Historic Farmstead is "Home"
It took a couple of years of searching, and searching some more to find our "perfectly imperfect" little farm. Alas, we finally have keys in hand and have our hands in the dirt at this beautiful, historic farm!
Once a busy dairy farm, this 35 acre parcel in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is now our new home to Cold Noses Sanctuary. The original farm (once known as the Winkleman Farmstead) consisted of over 150 acres. The thirty five that will be home to the sanctuary include a duplex home, craft shed (Soon to be Estébans Enclave), a large, two-level dairy barn (circa 1910), A machine shed and a livestock barn. There are ample fields for livestock to enjoy and a large wooded area and a conservations area for fun-filled walks in the shade.
Looking back to move forward
As we walk the property we find so much history in every nook and cranny. From the last journal entry made in the dairy barn for the cows that were milked, to the hastily penciled measurements written on the cabinet of the craft shed before the craftsman made his cuts in the wood, the history is palatable here. Old doors refuse to budge and others swing defiantly in the wind. Overlooking all of this from their perch on the rooftop are the Red Tailed Hawks. Wild Turkey, Deer, Coyotes and more all frequent the land here. The trees have seen the most. They relay a story to those who will listen. They nurture and guard this farm, much like, I would imagine, the Winkleman Family Matriarch and Patriarch would have done. It reminds me of my dad, who, much like this family, began a dairy farm. It was his love of animals, of business, of nature and poetry, that I owe much of my own character traits. So this farm, while not my personal family farm, has so much more meaning to me than just another old property. It represents the farming work ethic that my dad instilled in all of us as we grew up. It represents a way of life.
As we look to develop this property into one that will be a sanctuary to animals of various kinds, we cannot ignore the history that surrounds us. We cannot "clear and conquer". We must respect the land and the history of the farmer. While we won't be using cows for milk and making money off of this farm as it once did, we will do our best to honor the land and it's history. Cold Noses Sanctuary will be a melding of old and new, because without our past, we would not become everything we are now. A place of healing, of acceptance and of new life- all brought together by hard work, and a passion for the farming life.