Texas Monarch Farm Where

TEXAS Monarch Farm WHERE SHARING IS TRULY CARING

by Diane Ciarloni | photos courtesy of Texas Monarch Farm

Nick Shah insists that he’s never seen a child “leave here without a smile on his face.” The “here” he’s referencing is a 5-acre private farm in the heart of Flower Mound, owned by himself and his wife, Puja.

The Shahs are originally from India, and they have two daughters, Naomi who is 15 and Nirali who is 12.

The Shahs could see the American dream in front of them, but it took them a while to decide how they wanted to latch onto it. They worked hard and, seven years ago, vistas of that dream began opening. They decided to sell their house when the girls were eight and five.

Now what?

“We didn’t want to go out and just buy a big house,” says Nick. “What would that do for us? Just spend our time cleaning it. The girls wanted a horse, and we really wanted to establish something for them.

“We found a place, but the deal fell through. We moved forward again.

I’m a realtor, and it was easy for me to heard their plan. Did they honestly realize keep track of property as it came on what they were doing? the market.” A couple of horses arrived at the miniOne day, Nick saw five acres available in farm. Goats and chickens showed up. Flower Mound. Both Dogs. Various he and Puja liked the area and felt “They could learn all structures began dotting the compact they had roots there. the things kids, and acreage. Open-air “Okay, we said. This is it. The girls want a horse, so we’re most adults, aren’t even exposed to today – how paddocks. Stalls. Housing for the chickens, where going to give them a farm and let them grow up at least food is grown, how animals are born, how it the ladies could lay their eggs with no meddling from a little old school. They could learn all the things kids, and feels to be with greenery and wildlife every day.” noisy roosters. It was beginning to look more and more like most adults, aren’t a farm — hobby farm, even exposed to today – how food is technically speaking. grown, how animals are born, how it feels to be with greenery and wildlife every Nirali and Naomi grew with the farm. day.” Some of the things they learn are There were no haphazard choices when on the edge of shocking. For instance, putting together Monarch Farm which, did you know a hen can produce eggs essentially, is a goat dairy farm. The Shahs’ without the help of a rooster? Quite a lot chosen breed is the high-volume milkof eggs, actually. producing American Lamancha. First bred There were plenty of friends and by Eula Fay Frey in 1927, it’s a formally associates who wondered if the Shahs recognized breed that loves attention may have wandered off track when they from humans.

“We breed the goats to sell,” says Puja and the Kangal. Both breeds are very Shah. “Every spring, our goat population large, calm, loyal, and protective. They goes from around 15 to 40, including the bond well with humans and animals. The babies. We sell them to other farms who Akbash, also known as the “Wolf Killer,” market and sell the products, such as milk is the National Dog of Turkey. The Kangal and cheese. is also known as the “The baby goats are so “One day, they Anatolian Shepherd. much fun. Because we’re asked if they In addition to their small and not commercial, there’s plenty of room for could invite their other qualities, the Shahs chose us to become emotionally teachers, along the Turkish breeds involved with our animals. That was our objective with their children, because they felt they were the best suited from the beginning.” to spend the day to Texas’ climate. Today, Nirali and Naomi’s at the farm. We There are also animal husbandry skills agreed, and it populations of have grown to a level of proficiency that allows was amazing.” bees and chickens at Monarch. them to administer shots and other medications to the animals when needed, to breed the goats, and to help deliver babies when necessary. Sharing farm experiences actually came about unexpectedly, ushered in by COVID-19. The goats need protection from marauding coyotes. That job goes to two fearless Turkish breeds; the Akbash “Our daughters like to give their teachers a little gift at the end of the school year,” explains Nick. “Everything was different

this year, and they weren’t even in school. One day, they asked if they could invite their teachers, along with their children, to spend the day at the farm. We agreed, and it was amazing.”

Dogs and chickens were petted and fed. Goats were milked, and eggs were gathered. Kids, and their parents, learned about the life cycles of eggs and chickens and how there can be eggs with no roosters. Three or four little boys and girls at a time were lifted onto the broad backs of gentle horses. The concrete sidewalks were left behind, while parents and children walked on dirt trails and paddled through shallow streams. It was like a mini National Geographic-sponsored tour.

The parents marveled at how much they and the children learned. By the end of the day, they were so enthused that they encouraged the Shahs to think about having regularly scheduled tour days for the public.

The Shahs’ answer? They’ll take it into consideration. Stay tuned.