Where We’ve Been (and Where We’re Growing) 🌱

If you’ve been following along for a while, you may have noticed… it’s been a minute since our last blog post. And by a minute, we mean since last spring.

We had every intention of keeping up with this space, sharing updates, stories, and moments from the farm but as it turns out, farm life has a way of filling every corner of your day (and then some).

This past year has been full. The kind of full that stretches you in ways you don’t expect, filled with growth, setbacks, laughter, hard days, and everything in between.

The Joyful Moments

Our chicks and ducklings are no longer the tiny fluff balls you may remember. They’ve grown into full personalities of their own. And the ducks? Let’s just say… we didn’t plan

on becoming duck people, but here we are.

We started with chickens. That was the plan. And then somehow… we had ducks.

Chicken math, they say. And apparently, it applies across species. Watching them grow, waddle, and settle into their rhythms has been one of the quieter joys of the farm.

And of course, Yoga on the Farm, especially our Moonlight Yoga, has continued to be a favorite. There’s something really special about gathering together under the open sky, slowing down, and just being. Those evenings have reminded us exactly why we started this in the first place.

Life Around the Farm

Skyler was diagnosed with diabetes this past October and now takes insulin twice a day. Because of her diagnosis, she’s beginning to lose her vision—but if you’ve ever met Skyler, you know that doesn’t slow her down one bit. She’s still out there, nose to the ground, confidently exploring and “hunting” through the fields like she always has.

Luci has been making beautiful progress in her

search and rescue training, and it’s been

incredible to watch her grow into her role. Recently, we’ve hit a few setbacks as Cortny continues to recover (see the saga below!), but we’re taking it one step at a time and trusting the process.

Scarlet is still living her best life being the cutest piggy there is. Truly, nothing has changed there.

And Jooniper, our 14 year old resident cat, continues to lounge her way through the days, finding the sunniest spots in the house and reminding us all how to rest a little more.

The Harder Parts

2026 came in heavy.

In the first week of January, we unexpectedly lost our beloved Mango Bear—the heart behind Itsabear Farms. At ten years old, we were faced with an incredibly difficult decision as her health rapidly declined in just a matter of a week, likely due to heart failure or cancer.

There are no perfect words for a loss like that.

She was joy, sensitivity, energy, and love all wrapped into one. If you’ve ever been here in the early morning or at sunset, you can probably picture her—frolicking through the fields, completely at home.

We miss her deeply.

To honor her, we’ve begun a long-term project: Mango’s Meadow—a space where flowers will grow in her memory, in the same fields she loved so much. It’s a slow process, but one that feels incredibly meaningful.

When It Rains… It Pours (Sometimes Literally)

We also faced challenges with our flock this year. What started as a strong, thriving group of chickens became a season of unexpected loss—from unknown causes and predators who somehow found their way in.

Farm life is beautiful, but it can also be humbling in the hardest ways.

And then… there was the fall.

In February, during one of the last bitter cold days, Cortny was out in the pen trying to protect the flock from a redtail hawk (who had already claimed a chicken). The ground was covered in a couple feet of snow, and in the chaos of it all—she stepped back and completely forgot the empty duck pond was there… now hidden beneath the snow.

Cue the dramatic movie scene!

She fell straight in.

Alone. In the cold. In the snow. Phone in hand, trying to call Scot—who, for the first time ever, didn’t answer (despite always having two phones).

But somehow… her mom answered. (Also a rare occurrence.)

And just like that—rescue arrived.

What followed was far less cinematic: a torn ACL, LCL, MCL, medial meniscus, IT band injury, and bone bruising.

Recovery has been slow and ongoing, working closely with an orthopedic doctor and physical therapy. Surgery is still up in the air, but we’re hopeful healing will come with time and care.

In the meantime, Scot has been holding down the farm caring for the chickens, ducks, Freya and Sisco (our horse and donkey), and everything in between.

Looking Ahead 🌿

Despite it all, we’re still here. Still growing. Still deeply rooted in what this space means to us. And we’re so excited to welcome you back to the farm this season.

We’re kicking things off on Thursday, May 28th, 2026, as we partner with Fayette Friends of Animals for our Hang with a Shelter Pup on the Farm event.

You’ll be able to stroll the fields with shelter pups, support both the farm and the rescue, and enjoy a peaceful evening outdoors. We’ll have fresh eggs and select jams available, along with opportunities to stay connected as our vegetables come into season.

And Yoga on the Farm will be returning - possibly as soon as May 31st (Moonlight Yoga included, of course). We will even be teaming up with a local florist this summer for a special Moonglight class.

If this past year has taught us anything, it’s this: growth doesn’t always look the way you expect it to. Sometimes it’s joyful. Sometimes it’s painful. And sometimes… it looks like climbing out of a snow-covered duck pond and choosing to keep going.

We’re so grateful you’re here—walking alongside us through all of it.

With Gratitude,

Cortny and Scot