New Residents

New sheep arrived early Sunday morning, tumbling out of the livestock hauler’s trailer, after an overnight trip from the Great Plains. They made their requisite inspection of the paddock perimeter, then settled down to enjoy the lush green grass. (Hay had been their main meal in western Kansas due to dry conditions.)

These ewes and ram remind me of the sheep I worked with in New Zealand. On the North Island, I stayed a few winter days with a family with Shropshires. I would walk through the steep hillside pastures during the day and enjoy delicious lamb stew or chops from the farm each night.

Upon returning to the U.S., I looked for sheep similar to those roaming the North Island hillsides. It took some time. Most American Shropshires have a taller and longer body type than New Zealand sheep.

This wasn’t always the case. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Shropshires were the most popular breed in the U.S. and looked similar to the original members of the breed, developed in England. However, due to shepherds’ changing preferences, their numbers decreased so much throughout the mid- to late-1900s and early 2000s that The Livestock Conservancy now includes Shropshires on the Conservation Priority List.

Eventually, I learned that a California shepherd, Fred Groverman, had raised Shropshires that retained original Shropshire characteristics. His flock had been dispersed when he passed away.

Just this year, I learned of a flock with Groverman genetics in western Kansas. I started talking with the breeders in mid-July. They sent pictures showing these were exactly the sheep I wanted, and we made arrangements to transport them to Indiana.

This is one small step in keeping the Shropshire breed going. With their quality wool and lamb, good mothering characteristics, and chill personalities, it was worth bringing them all the way from Kansas.

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

• What’s a dream you’ve held for a long time and has now come to fruition?

Share your answer and this newsletter with a fellow dreamer.

If Sylvan Sundays was forwarded to you, welcome! To learn more about our farmers, check out “A New Year’s Introduction,” and to learn more about our name, visit “Being Sylvan.” Also, make sure to check out “This Week on the Farm” and “Farm Shop” below!

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This Week on the Farm

Here are some more members of the gang!

Our hiatus in prepping our next Christmas tree patch ended Sunday afternoon. Jeff had paused his spraying work due to the wind, and full-time job schedules don’t always allow us to be at the farm every time the weather is optimal. So it was good to continue preparing for spring planting.

Farm Shop

We are thankful for llamas watching out for our flock! “Snacking Llama” is part of the Light in Winter series. Support our Light in Winter artist, Lydia, with a llama sticker today!