The New Thistle Hill Farm Team

Advisor extraordinaire:

David Schoumacher continues to pass on his amazing knowledge of this breed to all of us, advising what to look for in conformation and in herd and pasture health. We wouldn’t be continuing with this work were it not for him.

David, with neighbor Ira McDowell who has been instrumental in maintaining all our farm vehicles, and Curt

Holding it all together for the last year:

Son-in-law Curt has been instrumental in keeping the farm going. He has been staying at the farm while Carolyn commutes back and forth from Dallas. All the animals recognize Curt as their care-taker, fence-fixer, herder, and deliverer of hay and, most importantly, as the one who opens up the gates to ungrazed pastures. Carolyn frequently comments that she doesn’t have any physician colleagues whose husbands could take on what Curt, by profession a geologist, has done this year.

The Future

Grandson Church, currently co-captain of the Dennison track team, will take over from Curt after he graduates from college on May 19. He will be obtaining his Master’s degree in Biology from George Mason University, starting this fall, with the eventual goal of becoming a vet. In the meantime, he’s hoping he can do some research on our pastures and herd that may provide useful insights for small farmers raising grass fed animals. Church has grown up spending time from with Wooz and David on the farm, and traveled with them as well to England to visit our partners on the other side of the Atlantic.

Rounding out the team:

Wooz and David’s son Church, a former West Pointer, has been instrumental in being back-up for Curt this year and has Wooz’ eye for good–looking animals. He loves being out at the farm, and helps with moving cattle, logistics, and delivering hay. He lives nearby and also works for Abbott and runs a kitchen design and appliance firm.

Carolyn rounds out the current care-taking crew, spending her weekends off at the farm with Curt. A cancer surgeon, she is Division director for the Gynecologic Oncology program at Baylor University Medical Center, and also Medical Director for the Integrative and Functional medicine program. She sees daily the importance of eating a healthy diet and is thrilled to be able to carry Thistle Hill grass fed meat back to Dallas to have a truly healthy and nourishing food on hand.

David’s first visit back to the farm, July 2017, with Carolyn, Curt, and Church

In training: Marion, home for the summer from college in upstate New York, where she is majoring in Psychology and singing in three vocal groups.

Gentle herder: Curt has used Wooz and David’s English Shepherd Pocahontas to help move the herd or push forward wayward calves.