Stella and Friends

At Thistledown Farm, we are committed to giving our animals the best possible lives with the best care. We are a third-generation farm located North of  Stillwater, Minnesota. We  raise Scottish Highland cattle, free range chickens, heritage breed turkeys, Muscovy ducks and Mangalitsa pigs. 

Our calves, Stella, Thelma, Louise and Buddy had a rough beginning due to the late spring snowstorm in April 2018, the cold, wet conditions which followed and the devastating impact on our small family farm. 

We made the decision to get them intensive veterinary care when their needs surpassed our typical interventions. We even moved Stella in our kitchen for a few months in order to try to keep her warm enough and treat her pneumonia. She loved our three foster puppies and became a viral sensation going through the dog door like her puppy friends. 

With expert care and consultation from the team at the University of Minnesota Large Animal Clinic and Dr. Oscarson at Osceola Vet Services, along with round the clock feedings and finally some sun and warmth,  Stella, Louise and Buddy recovered. Unfortunately, we could not save Thelma despite a final long shot transfusion. We made the hard decision to euthanize her at the U of M with the help of many of the same vet students that tried so hard to save her. 

Thank you to many of you whom have followed their journeys and for supporting Thistledown Farm's commitment to our animals. We continue to farm and do this work because we believe you should know where your food comes from and how the animals are treated. Thank for continuing to support your local farmers!