Ridge and Valley Farms is a family run farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin, known for raising Dorper sheep.  We specialize in raising these sheep for hardiness, parasite resistance, good mothering, and fast-growing lambs.  

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From a very young age, Lee dreamed of one day being a full-time farmer.  While his grandparents on each side of the family were both dairy farmers, his parents did not farm full time.  They had what might be considered a "hobby farm" on the land that once belonged to Lee's paternal great grandfather.  This is the Ridge Farm.  When Lee was just a teenager, he decided he would get into farming with raising meat goats and eventually this transitioned into sheep, specifically the Dorper breed.  He had animals at the Ridge Farm as well as a few miles away at the Valley Farm (where his maternal grandparents lived).  The name "Ridge and Valley Farms" was born.  We love that we can continue the family heritage of farming both of these places.

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After getting married in 2014, we moved to the Valley Farm where we spend the majority of our time.  Lee's parents live at the Ridge farm where we pasture some of the animals as well as raise some crops.  We enjoy our conglomeration of farm animals which includes not only the sheep but also dairy goats and a few dairy cows.  We use the milk to make our own butter, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream (to name a few dairy products).  We enjoy fresh eggs from our chickens.

 

We have expanded our family and enjoy involving the kids in nearly every aspect of farm and country life.  We were spurred on toward finding more natural and healthy alternatives for food and skincare after having the kiddos (starting in 2018).  We raise most of our own food from vegetables to meat and yes, even mushrooms!  After much trial and error, we have developed a recipe we love for all-natural goat milk soap that uses locally sourced and home-rendered tallow and milk from our dairy goats.  This was initially meant to be for our own use and to use as gifts for our family, however, due to the rave reviews we received, it has turned into a side business.  Along with the natural soap we have also added some other natural skincare products and cleaning products.  

Our faith in God and love for the Lord is the most important thing to us!  While farm life comes with its share of challenges, we love being out in the middle of God's beautiful creation and love working hard with our hands.  We are incredibly thankful for the life He has blessed us with! 

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Come follow along on our journey! 

 

- The Peterson Family 

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