Tranquil Morning Farm

Our farm began as the 4H project of my oldest two sons back in 1998.  It had been my dream since my own childhood to own a farm, so it quickly grew into a family affair. 

After meeting Mark, my best friend, soul mate and love of my life, and  moving to our present home in 2004, our farm has grown tremendously.  We now have 4 of our 7  children in 4H, and two future 4Hers (one who has already begun her livestock showing career at age 3).  Our farm is a true working farm, and much of our time is spent caring for the animals, processing fiber and creating fiber products, and attending local farmer's markets to sell our fiber and products.  We hope to see our farm continue to grow and prosper in the future.

I (Kristen) loved working with animals since I was a very young child.  Unfortunately, I was not born on a farm.  I did, however, take every opportunity I could find to care for animals, whether it be spiders and grasshoppers in Margarine containers or hamsters and guinea pigs in cages in my bedroom! My mother did all she could to nuture my love of animals, allowing me to have any pets I could house in cages in my room, as long as I took care of them.   I did always have a few rabbits, and a dog or two. (and thank you, Dad, for all those times you cleaned my rabbit hutch for me- I now occasionally do that for my kids rabbits- and never say a word to them- since I figure I owe it to Dad!)   I had a cat once, but since my mother is horribly allergic- that didn't last long.  I had many birds...mostly parakeets and finches.  I had a pair of doves once, but they awakened my parents very early in the morning, and had to be traded in for parakeets instead, LOL. (I have doves again- and now my daughter is there to complain  how early doves wake up!)

I was forunate enough to have my Auntie Sue, with horses (and an occasional goat and chickens) who I got to spend time with and learn to ride horses.  My dad also took us what seemed like every Sunday to ride ponies at the farm down the road.  I always wanted horses and farm animals- and promised myself (and everyone else) that one day I'd have a farm...and I do!

The Engebretson family has been farming since their beginnings in Norway.  Erick Engebretson came to America, settling in Minnesota in the late 1800s.  He began first as a farm laborer.  His son, Oliver, relocated to Montana, where he established the Engebretson family farm.  Here the family raised grains and beef cattle.  The family farm continues to run today by Oliver's descendents.

Mark spent much of  his childhood summers helping out on his grandfather's farm and developed a love for rural living.  I grew up surrounding myself with animals and always knew that one day I'd have my own farm.  I spent some time as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, but now I need to focus on my own animals.  I started my farm in 1998 with a large herd of rabbits, some chickens and a couple of sheep.  In 2004, I met Mark and we have developed a true working fiber farm together.

The Engebretson family has dispersed to various parts of the country.  Mark and I (Kristen) established our farm here in Connecticut in 2004.  and a few  We have continued the family tradition in farming with our flock of sheep and goats.  We have a couple of alpacas joining our farm family this spring, as we expand our fiber producing livestock.

Our family is very involved in Tolland County 4H and the Tranquil Menagerie 4H club.  I am a co-leader with Liz of the Henson Menagerie.  4 of our children are active 4Hers, and the two littlest ones are following on the heals of their older siblings and have taken quite an interest in animals.