“You’re a pretty little girl, aren’t you? I kind of hate to get rid of you, but we need the money.”
This from Elizabeth Ponce de Leon, to a Hereford cow on its way to auction.
Love hurts.
We last visited Ramona’s Fountain of Youth farm two years ago, in quest of pastured eggs to replenish our ever-dwindling supply. (NB–if you’ve got a connect, please let us know!) The same problem brought us back two weeks ago, except that “back” is a relative word. Since our last visit, the Fountain of Youth has…been diverted? Anyway, it’s in a new location. No 100-year-old barn on the new property, alas, but character is not wanting.
We found it astonishing to note that those animals who were not born on the farm were brought there as rescues, many dropped off without notice. Elizabeth and Marisa have returned home from an absence to find their enclosure host to one llama more than the number they left.
You vegetarians who espouse your herbivorous diet in boycott of modern farming’s Orwellian plight? Go get you some steak and eggs. No hint of the factory farm here, folks. Wouldn’t you rejoice to eat meat from a goat that started the day with a big smooch? One can only imagine the health benefits.
Every animal at the Fountain of Youth has a name and is called by it. Here’s a census sample:
This is Precious. … Meaning, that’s her name.
Big Nose Kate, president of the local Rancid fan club
A brave invitation to a 1200 lb. animal: “Come here, Doc! Show me some lovin’.”
On the left Mr. Elf Ears, who is half-breed La Mancha and thus has half-size ears; La Manchas are entirely earless. On the right, Coco, who they tell us loves coffee.
”
Grizzly Bear, accommodating in the extreme
The ladies Ponce de Leon are vintage farming stock. Elizabeth, who hails from Cherokee, Dutch and English descent, grew up farming here in California. She moved to Texas for a brief time, “but I’m a California girl,” she owns with a smirk. Marisa’s father, Vicente, who died ten years ago, came from Guadalajara to the US when he was 21, and worked on a farm in Otay until he took up managing the restaurant La Casa Blanca.
The farm hosts about fifty animals at one time; in addition to our models, there also are nine horses (Missouri Foxtrotters, Warmbloods, and an East Nevada mustang named Shiloh), cats that seem to multiply out of thin air, and of course the chickens–mostly Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds. The eggs come in a spectrum of shades, from sandy brown to pale green.
The farm’s holdings are made known by word of mouth–people looking for livestock tend to just show up for business. On some occasions, animal buyers have slaughtered and roasted animals in the front yard, which should give you an idea of the owners’ hospitable attitude. The move to this new property set back their operations somewhat, but eventually they hope to provide us, and you, with meat that has been grass-fed and loved up.
As of yore, Elizabeth and Marisa welcome visits–if you want to pay a call, ask us at the Link and we’ll point you in their direction.
Nice post, Che. Your writing is lovely. And clever.
Thanks so much for visiting our farm Che! A couple of corrections if I may! Doc the bull is around 1200lbs!, and the llama close-up is actully Rudy, Precious is next to him! Thanks again, and we hope to see you soon!
Thanks for the correction, Marisa! I’m a little bit glad I made the mistakes, since your correction illustrates how well you know and love your animals. I can’t wait to come back.
Hey Chelsea,
Great post and beautiful pix. Makes me want to go to the farm instead of the office today!
Janice,
Do it! ; )