Soule: Coming Home From the Tropics

Concord NH

17 January, 2022

10:16 AM

Description

By the time you read this, Bruce and I will be back at Miles Smith Farm after our weeklong visit to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and after four days on the road, our nine traveling bovines have arrived in California. The cattle now have a home in the moderate temperatures of central California, free of bitter cold and frozen water troughs. We return to freezing temperatures. I'm not complaining. Travel for cattle and people has one similarity these days. The bovines needed health certificates before crossing state lines, and Bruce and I needed proof of negative Covid tests before we boarded the plane. Happily for the cattle, they didn't have to wear masks. We traveled to St. Croix to visit relatives and connect with Learning Networks Foundation (LNF) board members Sonia and Sandra, who live there. LNF is the nonprofit linked to our farm. It has programs in New Hampshire and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The keyword is "Learning." In New Hampshire, children and adults learn to train long-haired Scottish Highlander cattle. In St. Croix, it's about learning respect for the natural environment and the wildlife on the island. For instance, snakes are not native to the island. Before 2014, one non-native Red-Tailed Boa was discovered by Dr. William Coles, who works for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, which is similar to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Some were released by human owners leaving St. Croix and are now breeding and multiplying. The snakes eat native birds, frogs, and other wildlife, threatening native species if left unchecked. The Foundation has plans to work with Dr. Coles to create educational programs about invasive species, like snakes, hoping to enlist the public in his defensive effort. Another mission I had on this trip was to adopt two puppies to bring the farm. The St. Croix Animal Shelter's vigorous spay/neuter program has cut the stray population that thrives in this tropical climate, but puppies still happen. I adopted two abandoned puppies, Joy and Jingle, as companions for Flora, a St. Croix stray I adopted last year. Most airlines allow pet carry-on for small dogs and cats. Read More Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, where she raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at [email protected]