About us

Mary gave up a 12 year career as a professor of Communication at Boise State University in 2004 to become a farmer. Having grown up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she had to research everything having to do with farming, make a lot of mistakes, and learn to keep going when going seemed nuts. She's still going . . . and still nuts. And loving it all more than ever. And still learning, learning, learning.

Lori runs a successful business called Newt & Harold's Boards & Skates in Boise. Popular particularly among the teenage male set, Lori would rather be riding than doing farm chores, but she does them, graciously and generously when necessary, and often when not.

Judy is a part-time school counselor and part-time farmer. She's the mother of Mary & Tom and she does some of everything here. Judy plants, waters, weeds & harvests. She takes care of the ducks, the turkeys, and gets stuff from point A to point B. Morning Owl Farm works because of Judy's contribution. It simply wouldn't be as successful, or as fun without her.

Tom is our delivery driver, right-hand man, turkey wrangler & primary duck dude. In 2009, Tom will oversee our egg business, providing most of the duck's care and handling a lot of the egg washing. He is an invaluable member of the family & the farm: another person who without we'd be a whole lot less.

Berta lives next door. She supplies some of our flowers and a lot of our laughs. When something needs to be done, she's the kind of friend that's right there. She's been "there" for a very long time. Off the farm, Berta is a professor of Social Work. Around here, she does her social working for free.

Matt & Judy. It doesn't get better than Matt & Jude for neighbors! If something's too heavy or stuck, they push with a grin. If we need someone to hold down the fort, they are here for us. When planting season comes, Jude will be singing to the oldies and country & western with Mary, getting the new year's food going in the greenhouse. We love our friend-neighbors deeply for their generous hearts and good souls. We really do live in Boise's best neighborhood.

Butch is our master mutt. He's the smartest dog that ever was and we adore the boy. Butch is best at chasing tennis balls. But what makes him incredible is that he can truly herd cats. Truly, he can. If you ask Butch to "get the kitty," by god, he does.

Gussie is Butch's favorite friend. She moved from the Wood River Animal Shelter around Valentine's Day in '06. Gussie is the perfect farm girl: she loves dirt, horse manure, barking, being with farmers and just hanging out.

Spike is our indoor/outdoor kitty. She's the sassiest damn thing you ever saw and one hell of a hunter. Spike looks harmless and pretty, but having been raised by dogs, she is pound-for-pound, the toughest animal on the acreage.

Natalie came to us as a barn cat in the summer of '06, with her brother, Earl. Earl disappeared, as barn cats sometimes do, and we were very sad. Natalie was too. Nat' still isn't sure she likes people, but because she loves Butchie and Gus', she lets us feed her.

There are turkeys, too, with names, Crook, Connie, Jude, and Lucky. Some of the ducks have earned names also. DuckDuck, a sweetie given us by our pal, Jan Book. Sammy, Afflak and Waldo, given to us by other friends. Penny and Madge, the stars of our lovely egg cartons and Uno, Peg, Brendon Drake, Limpy, Waddles . . .