Dautobi Acres

About Dautobi Acres

Near Celeste, Texas, lies a crossroads formerly known as Hickory Creek. While this historic farming community is remembered only in state road signs, the farm families still exist. Richard and Lynn Rocha own and operate a small 25 acre farm known as Dautobi Acres. Both Richard and Lynn are from farming backgrounds and animal welfare is of utmost importance to them. They also believe in the importance of “leaving the land better than you found it.” Dautobi is Richard's Native American Kiowa family name. It loosely translates to “one who whistles while walking.” This meaning underlies the Dautobi Acres motto of farming without destroying nature’s inhabitants or terrain. The acreage is a remnant of the Blackland Prairie and it hosts a small section of wetland prairie that is home to an abundance of native prairie frogs, crayfish, and terrapin. Dautobi Acres’ flock of Katahdin hair sheep are managed to produce grassfed lamb using sustainable methods. The sheep and lambs, which are raised in family units, are allowed to perform their natural behaviors with plenty of pasture to roam, shady loafing areas, high-welfare handling methods, and daily observation. The Rochas decided to join AWA to help promote their unique product to an understanding and appreciative consumer. Lynn and Richard partner with other local growers at farmers’ markets to promote AWA-certified products and educate consumers. If you would like to donate your time or expertise to this purpose, please contact the farm. Richard and Lynn plan to expand the farm with the addition of pasture-raised turkeys, a paddock grazing system, and by offering on-farm educational opportunities. The Rochas are a combination of Native American, minority (female) and veteran (US Army) farm stewards; as a result, they relate to many issues that beginning, minority and veteran farmers encounter. “We hope that Dautobi Acres will become a farm in perpetuity – offering an example to those desiring to be sustainable farmers and ranchers keeping the importance of nature in mind,” says Lynn. Since Dautobi Acres grassfed lamb is raised on pasture and is never grainfed, the meat is available seasonally. Lamb is typically available in the spring and fall, when rainfall (and thus grazing) is at its best. The Rochas offer half and whole lamb orders, as well as individual cuts, which can be picked up from Bluebonnet Meat Company in Trenton, Texas, at a local farmers’ market, direct from the farm, or by delivery. Linda and Richard serve the north-east Texas area, including Dallas, Plano, Coppell, Rowlett, Rockwall, and more cities in Hunt, Rockwall, Collin and Dallas counties. For more information – or to download an order form – visit DautobiAcres.com.