The Shepherds

Kirsten has successfully balanced a corporate career with a homestead lifestyle since 2008.  A lifelong learner, she is enjoying a journey of discovering many lost skills and techniques to improve herd health and productivity, as well as utilize the bounty from the farm. 

Kirsten originally wanted to be a veterinarian, but instead, Kirsten has decided to apply her consulting/training experience and background to train/coach/mentor new farmers in caring for/managing their flocks to avoid/limit the need for seeking out scarce veterinary services.  

Kirsten’s role on the farm is Shepherd Artist.  She manages herd health and reproductivity, as well as creates products from wool and goat’s milk.  She also manages the marketing and promotion efforts, including classes offered to attract visitors to River Birch Farms.

Farmer Bob is a retired USAF Combat Photojournalist and aircrew member turned back to his roots in farming.

During his 20-year career in the Air Force, Bob documented a multitude of regional conflicts and collapses of many countries, as well as humanitarian contributions.  As a result, he has a unique perspective on the world we live in and life in general.

From fighter jets to the farm… the transition has not been easy, but Bob is motivated to be self-sufficient by many of the things he observed during his years in service to the United States.  

Bob jokes that he is in charge of the front end input and back end output for the animals on the farm, while Kirsten is in charge of the animals themselves.