CONTACT US:  hidden_maples@yahoo.com

 Phone: 989.665.0041

HIDDEN MAPLES HISTORY

Hidden Maples is our farm in Elkton Twp., just outside of Gagetown, Michigan. My husband David, our kids Cory -24, Brandon -21, Justin -20, and Lauren -13 work everyday to bring our farm back to life.

The farm dates back to 1865 where the original foundation of our cape cod styled home is being held up with tree trunks.  The farm was purchased 5 yrs. ago from Uncle Earl who's wife was in the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease. 

For many years, Earl cared for his wife and was unable to maintain the house and out buildings.  As anyone who renovates an older home knows, it's a domino effect; once you get into one thing it turns into six just to complete what you originally started.

Previously, we raised horses and chickens and gardened, but now with 62 acres it was time to try something new.  We are now raising Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats. The goats are all milked by hand with a portion of the milk being used for our soap products.  Our decision in this breed comes from their wonderful temperment, great milk producers for their smaller size, high butterfat content in milk, and the wide array of color combinations; even blue eyes.

Behind our home is a wind break of 100ft. pines and hidden in the woods sugar maples, that also being the first thing we did tap and make our own maple syrup. Thus, the name, Hidden Maples.

In addition to our dairy goats, we also have and acre garden and sell produce locally.  Spring of 09' we added our own hay fields for our expanding goat herd meat goat herd that we bought in 2010.

Thank you for visiting our site.

The Stilson's

Awards:

Our daughter Lauren in 4-H showed her goat Lucky Louise in the Tuscola County Fair and won Jr.Doe Grand Champion for 2007.  We were not able to show for the 2008 season for the illness and death of my husband's mother June Stilson.

-2009 Eastern Michigan Regional Horse Bowl Competition - "Lucky Horseshoe"  Jr. Novice division won 3rd! Congradulations - Skyler, Laken, Emma and Lauren, and a special thanks to their coach Shannon!

2009 Huron County Fair - Lauren showed her Goats; Trixie The Pixie as a Jr.Milker - Reserve Champion of Show, Star's Masquerade as young doe - 3rd, Zoom as market wether-3rd, and Lauren won Jr. Showperson with Star. She showed her pony Stormie and won 5th in Walk-Trot. And last our pig Goldielocks won 3rd.  It was a great fair, and now Lauren looks forward to 2010!

2010 Eastern Michigan Regional Horse Bowl Competition - "Lucky Horseshoe" Jr. division - coming up Feb.20th!  WE WON 2nd!  Off to State Finals on April 17th.  Thank you coaches Shannon Bowman and Bee Gremel!  Congradulations to Lauren Stilson (won 7th on Jr. Individuals), Emma Maust (won 10th Jr. Ind.), Laken Polega (won 9th Jr. Ind.), Skylar Gremel (won 8th Jr. Ind.) and M. Phillips; Great Job!

Well were back from state and the girls placed 6th.  We all had a good time and learned from this experience what to work on and expect next year.  We were able to visit the Arabian Farm and hope to take another trip in warmer weather.  Thanks again to Shannon Bowman and Bee Gremel for all the hours given in preperation for these events!

No rest yet, now it's time to get ready for the Huron County Fair, July 25-Aug 1!

2010 Huron County Fair, was a great year for our farm.  Lauren won Champion in the dairy division with Trixie, Reserve Champion in dairy with Zinnea and finally Grand Champion of Show with Trixie.  This was her 1st year riding my arabian Cody and won in 4h as well as open show 2nd -5th in halter and western showmanship/pleasure.  She also came in 2nd with her fancy chicken bluebelle.
                                             
  

        Breeding is well underway so check out our page for when kids are due.