Diju Farm since 1979
Judi Corbett is the owner and operator of Diju Farm and is a nationally and internationally recognized animal breeder, trainer and competitor. Raised on a multi-animal farm Judi has bred and shown Quarter Horses, Blue New Zealand and Harlequin rabbits, Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Alpine Goats, Katahdin Sheep, heritage chickens, honeybees and more. She has competed with performance horses, announced at Horse Pulling Competitions (occasionally pulling in ladies’ singles classes), judged various categories at local fairs and competed in everything from livestock to baking to crafts and writing.
Judi and her parents produced "old fashioned, all around" Australian Shepherds that worked the family farm, protected the family and livestock and won in the showring in conformation and sports. Judi also competed in dog sled racing, agility, dock diving, tracking and in what Aussies do best - herding. She was fortunate enough to get a start working with sled dogs while working with Terry Streeper and handling his world record breaking team of 25 dogs, at the 25th Canadian Open. She was also given the opportunity to be head handler for both Terrys team as well as his brother Eddy, with Eddy winning the Canadian Open. Judi now operates her farm with the assistance on one old Aussie and a few Akbash or Akbash/Maremma Livestock Guardians to help protect her animals from the bears, wolves and coyotes that live in her area.
Judi took a number of years out of raising large animals and dogs to focus on her daughters needs. During that time, she and Shania worked together to breeds some of the best Harlequins in North America with her often being beat out by her daughter’s rabbits at both the ARBA Conventions and Breed Specialties. With over 32 years of raising rabbits she specialized in breeding Harlequins, meat rabbits and developing Blue New Zealands as well as becoming a certified Dominion Club Rabbit judge and sitting on committees on the National Harlequin Breeders Association and the Dominion Rabbit breeders Association. Judi and Shania became well known vendors as several local Farmers Markets, where they sold their organic herbs, heritage vegetables, vermicomposting, flowers and crafts under the name of Gtigaan.
Judi and her mom, Elaine Corbett, spend a number of years raising Alpine Goats for milk and meat and enjoyed the fun that goats bring to the farm. At one-point Elaine purchased a flock of Suffix sheep but after several months with them it was decided that they did not belong. In 2000 Judi began competing in herding trials and decided that she would like to have her own sheep to play with. Due to past experiences with wool breeds and goats she was able to find a breed that was a bit more of a challenge to herd but much less work since they were low maintenance, sturdy healthy sheep who posses excellent mothering abilities and able to function perfectly on her plans for a total grass-fed operation. Research of the breed and location of the best foundation stock available has allowed Judi to excel in producing a hardy Katahdin sheep that has no foot issues, is able to lamb on pasture in any weather conditions and are easy to work with and requiring very little hands on time.
Being raised on an all-purpose livestock farm Judi grew up with pastured pigs, cow/calf, chickens, ducks and various other types of animals including llamas. Over the years she has raised Chanteclers and Black Australorps and enjoyed the amazing meat and egg production of both as well as the joy of looking out to see either an all-black or all-white flock free ranging. She has also had great pleasure in raising several types of water fowl with her favorites being the black Cayuga ducks and the big beige American Buff Geese. Finally, though her mom was always great at raising turkeys, it has not been a great venture for Judi, though she has enjoyed to pleasures of raising the Beltsville White Turkey.
In the early 2000s Judi met much of her daughters schooling needs through homeschooling/unschooling in cooperation with the Mnjikaning First Nations school. In addition to doing native crafts, dancing at Pow Wows, aiding in healing lodges and other special ceremonies, Shania acquired much of her education through farming.
Today Judi has slowed things down and her main focus in on creating a life that accommodates her need to be close to the land yet deal with her chronic illnesses (many being lifelong). Judi presently lives off grid on 20 acres and has been setting things up to allows her to remain active, produce quality animals/food and still provide her that ability to be as active as possible without over doing it. She has battled Fibromyalgia since birth as well as digestive issues and now faces the addition of osteoarthritis. Life includes eating foods that fit her health needs and managing pain through non-medical means such as living a mindful life, doing regular meditation, connecting with the earth and keeping active while learning to pace herself. Judi has always enjoyed helping others and has trained in numerous areas in human services and is not providing opportunities for others to learn to live a simple life that involves being healthy in mind, body and spirit. This is the year 2020, a time of hindsight and foresight. Taking what we have learned from our past and using it to move on to a healthier future.
The focus of Diju Farm has always been to produce the best of what each plant or animal was designed for. Often focusing on rare of heirloom plants and heritage animals, Judi focuses on well bred, strong healthy plants and animal that require little to no intervention. Being ethically responsible means using a self staining growing practices and using little to no unnatural practices... Each animal has jobs thus keeping them busy, happy and healthy and the owner/breeder able to enjoy and more relaxed and mindful life. As of summer 2023, Diju Farm now consists of bees, 2 Livestock Guardians me and Badger. Honey bees produce honey while pollinating the amazing flora of the Carden Plain. Many wild foods are harvested from the land and used for food or health purposes and little goes to waste.
Judi Corbett is the owner and operator of Diju Farm and is a nationally and internationally recognized animal breeder, trainer and competitor. Raised on a multi-animal farm Judi has bred and shown Quarter Horses, Blue New Zealand and Harlequin rabbits, Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Alpine Goats, Katahdin Sheep, heritage chickens, honeybees and more. She has competed with performance horses, announced at Horse Pulling Competitions (occasionally pulling in ladies’ singles classes), judged various categories at local fairs and competed in everything from livestock to baking to crafts and writing.
Judi and her parents produced "old fashioned, all around" Australian Shepherds that worked the family farm, protected the family and livestock and won in the showring in conformation and sports. Judi also competed in dog sled racing, agility, dock diving, tracking and in what Aussies do best - herding. She was fortunate enough to get a start working with sled dogs while working with Terry Streeper and handling his world record breaking team of 25 dogs, at the 25th Canadian Open. She was also given the opportunity to be head handler for both Terrys team as well as his brother Eddy, with Eddy winning the Canadian Open. Judi now operates her farm with the assistance on one old Aussie and a few Akbash or Akbash/Maremma Livestock Guardians to help protect her animals from the bears, wolves and coyotes that live in her area.
Judi took a number of years out of raising large animals and dogs to focus on her daughters needs. During that time, she and Shania worked together to breeds some of the best Harlequins in North America with her often being beat out by her daughter’s rabbits at both the ARBA Conventions and Breed Specialties. With over 32 years of raising rabbits she specialized in breeding Harlequins, meat rabbits and developing Blue New Zealands as well as becoming a certified Dominion Club Rabbit judge and sitting on committees on the National Harlequin Breeders Association and the Dominion Rabbit breeders Association. Judi and Shania became well known vendors as several local Farmers Markets, where they sold their organic herbs, heritage vegetables, vermicomposting, flowers and crafts under the name of Gtigaan.
Judi and her mom, Elaine Corbett, spend a number of years raising Alpine Goats for milk and meat and enjoyed the fun that goats bring to the farm. At one-point Elaine purchased a flock of Suffix sheep but after several months with them it was decided that they did not belong. In 2000 Judi began competing in herding trials and decided that she would like to have her own sheep to play with. Due to past experiences with wool breeds and goats she was able to find a breed that was a bit more of a challenge to herd but much less work since they were low maintenance, sturdy healthy sheep who posses excellent mothering abilities and able to function perfectly on her plans for a total grass-fed operation. Research of the breed and location of the best foundation stock available has allowed Judi to excel in producing a hardy Katahdin sheep that has no foot issues, is able to lamb on pasture in any weather conditions and are easy to work with and requiring very little hands on time.
Being raised on an all-purpose livestock farm Judi grew up with pastured pigs, cow/calf, chickens, ducks and various other types of animals including llamas. Over the years she has raised Chanteclers and Black Australorps and enjoyed the amazing meat and egg production of both as well as the joy of looking out to see either an all-black or all-white flock free ranging. She has also had great pleasure in raising several types of water fowl with her favorites being the black Cayuga ducks and the big beige American Buff Geese. Finally, though her mom was always great at raising turkeys, it has not been a great venture for Judi, though she has enjoyed to pleasures of raising the Beltsville White Turkey.
In the early 2000s Judi met much of her daughters schooling needs through homeschooling/unschooling in cooperation with the Mnjikaning First Nations school. In addition to doing native crafts, dancing at Pow Wows, aiding in healing lodges and other special ceremonies, Shania acquired much of her education through farming.
Today Judi has slowed things down and her main focus in on creating a life that accommodates her need to be close to the land yet deal with her chronic illnesses (many being lifelong). Judi presently lives off grid on 20 acres and has been setting things up to allows her to remain active, produce quality animals/food and still provide her that ability to be as active as possible without over doing it. She has battled Fibromyalgia since birth as well as digestive issues and now faces the addition of osteoarthritis. Life includes eating foods that fit her health needs and managing pain through non-medical means such as living a mindful life, doing regular meditation, connecting with the earth and keeping active while learning to pace herself. Judi has always enjoyed helping others and has trained in numerous areas in human services and is not providing opportunities for others to learn to live a simple life that involves being healthy in mind, body and spirit. This is the year 2020, a time of hindsight and foresight. Taking what we have learned from our past and using it to move on to a healthier future.
The focus of Diju Farm has always been to produce the best of what each plant or animal was designed for. Often focusing on rare of heirloom plants and heritage animals, Judi focuses on well bred, strong healthy plants and animal that require little to no intervention. Being ethically responsible means using a self staining growing practices and using little to no unnatural practices... Each animal has jobs thus keeping them busy, happy and healthy and the owner/breeder able to enjoy and more relaxed and mindful life. As of summer 2023, Diju Farm now consists of bees, 2 Livestock Guardians me and Badger. Honey bees produce honey while pollinating the amazing flora of the Carden Plain. Many wild foods are harvested from the land and used for food or health purposes and little goes to waste.