Sunday afternoon Farmer Mary, three of her four teens and several others from Hayes Barton Baptist Church convinced MABEL the donkey that going for a ride in a borrowed horse trailer wouldn’t be so bad. CLAIRE, the littler donkey, loaded up easily with a few carrots to encourage her. While the loaded trailer waited in the driveway at Winterpast Farm the smaller animals were loaded into Farmer Marys car…JESSE and JAMES, the six month old baby goat twins were in the back seat along with DANIEL the lamb in a crate. Daughter, Elizabeth, sat in the passenger seat with BA BA, the black lamb, in her lap.
On arrival at the church, MABEL was disinclined to leave the trailer and needed much encouragement (shoving, pulling, carrots…). Once in the temporary barn she and CLAIRE settled right in eating hay and grass.
The sheep and goats were tethered in front by the campfire and started in on the hay and grass. Both the black and the white animals showed up nicely in the low light with the wheatstraw underneath.
Farmer Mary used to live on Aycock Street in Five Points and used to stroll her baby, Ben, up to see the Living Nativity each year. Ben is now a freshman at NCSU and Mary (now “Farmer Mary”) lives on ten acres by Falls Lake where she has created an animal sanctuary petting zoo. Families and groups visit the farm to meet, pet, hold and feed the animals which include a llama, goats, sheep, emu, peacocks, ducks, chickens, mini donkeys and lots of bunnies and guinea pigs. Farmer Mary takes animals to schools, churches and to community events. She hosts Birthday parties, meetings, bonfires, campouts and other events at the farm and also rents pets by the week. This recycling of existing pets allows her to feed all the former pets who find their way to Winterpast Farm. Farmer Mary also takes her animals to private homes for Birthday parties and other celebrations (for all ages!)
BA BA, the black Shetland lamb, was donated to Winterpast Farm because his wool grew in the wrong color.
JESSE (white baby goat) and JAMES (black twin brother) were born at Winterpast Farm. Their Mother, DOLLY, was donated when a 4-H program ended.
DANIEL, the white lamb with two black eyes was born at Winterpast Farm. His mom is JULIET LOUISE and his dad was a four horned Jacob ram who stayed at the farm briefly (but long enough!)
Farmer Mary invites all the new friends she made at the Living Nativity to visit Winterpast Farm to see all the animals. read the tab “your visit” which explains how to set up a family visit and tells you what kinds of food to bring for the animals. Farmer Mary has two pregnant pigs, so feel free to bring any holiday leftovers!!
The Living Nativity goes on again tonight (Monday) and Christmas eve from 7-9. Please consider bringing your family to see this very realistic portrayal of the birth of Jesus.
If anyone got good pics pls email them to Farmer Mary at marymomfarmer@hotmail.com so she can post. thanks!