|
About Us
Welcome to my website! Gaines
Farm and Kennels is owned and operated by Howard Gaines III, a Delaware resident since 1962 and a retired Delaware
educator. After spending 28 years in education, it's now time to start something new! Ah...retirement, let the new
jobs begin! Back in 1997, I purchased
this 35 acre farm and knew I had lots to do. The ground was tilled from one property line to the next; there were
no hedgerows, few trees, and no wildlife, nothing. It was time for a plan! Armed with an environmental battle
plan, I went to work. I started with a small farm pond, something that I could use for pan fishing in
the spring and summer time and waterfowling during the fall and winter months. I then looked into establishing several
hedgerows for soil and wildlife conservation. With a growing list of things to do and things which I needed to get done, I
also shifted gears to planting several stands of Christmas trees. Oh Christmas Trees... Christmas
tree production has been an aspect to the farm that I've wanted to do since day one. Growing up as a kid, we have always
had a live tree for Christmas. There's something to be said about going out and cutting a fresh tree and having it in the
home...the tradition continues! I have several types and sizes of Christmas trees for seasonal use and for landscaping
purposes. Some of these varieties include: Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Eastern White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado
Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, Ponderosa Pine, White Spruce, Canaan Fir, Eastern Red Cedar, Serbian Spruce, and Balsam Fir. Christmas tree sales start on Thanksgiving
weekend and end two days before Christmas. I offer tag now, fresh cut, you dig, and I have some daily pre-cut tree
specials. Prices are generally based on the size and type offered for that year. Offering White pines, cut
fresh daily, for $25.00 is a bargin for a tree approximately 6' tall. Dug trees are roughly $20.00 more and YOU do the work.
This is a great way to have the kids being part of the fun. Our
Dogs A farm without herding dogs makes as much sense as using
a sports car to plow a field! I have two herding breeds, the Bouvier des Flandres and the Border Collie. While both are herders,
only the Border Collie has the power to really get it done. The Border Collie is the number one dog for herding and livestock
control on the farm. The Bouviers are used for property and personal protection, why would I expect less? You would be hard
pressed to find better workers at any location! First, Last, Always! Delaware
isn't called "The First State" for nothing. A few years ago, they came up with a stupid saying
for Delaware, "It's good to be first," what a waste to taxpayer's money it was for this piece of state advertising...leave
well enough alone for a change! Delaware has many small farms that are unique in the products or services offered and
in agricultural history. If you are passing through "The First State" and would like to stop by,
give a call and I'll make you feel right at home!
Our first attempt at a Gaines Farm and
Kennels "website" in 1997.
Natural Bug Control.
|
