You might have driven past Shepherd ’ s Hey Farm on your way along Old Hundred Road ( Route 109 ) between Exit 21 on I-270 and Barnesville . Coming from I-270 approaching The Comus Inn , a vista opens up with a wonderful view of Sugarloaf Mountain and in the foreground a lovely stone farmhouse set comfortably down the hill from the sheep pastures that reach right up to the road . If it ’ s the right time of day , you might even see the sheepin-coats that graze at the top of the hill near the road . And , if you happen to come at sunset , you may even gasp and slow down . Back in 1998 I left my office in Washington DC and made this place my place of work and life .
Since my brother and his wife purchased the farm in 1993 in rundown condition , we ’ ve worked steadily to recover and support this property as a working agricultural landscape in the Agricultural Reserve . It has included restoration of a 1890s timber frame bank barn and two other original farm buildings , as well as reclaiming pastures for sustainable productive use . The house that “ came with ” the farm proved to be too much of a challenge to all but the resident termites , and had to be demolished and disposed of after children nearly fell through holes in first floor where termites had made lace out of the old chestnut beams that supported the floors . The challenge then became to rebuild in such a way as to reflect and celebrate the history and culture of this beautiful place .
I had learned to knit and spin my own yarn back in the early 1980s and enjoyed the process of taking raw wool to wearable garments . It was strictly a hobby . I had no idea that such an innocent pursuit would come full circle and land me here as a shepherd of a flock of beautiful wool producers .
The primary focus of Shepherd ’ s Hey Farm is the sheep . The specific goals for the farm include : producing the highest quality handspinning wool fleeces in a full range of natural colors ; producing healthy and delicious meat , both lamb and mutton ; showcasing the versatility of sheep and wool products ; embracing responsible agricultural practices , including the high standards of animal welfare and environmental conservation and stewardship ; and increasing awareness of and support for the benefits of local agriculture generally , and sheep and wool specifically .
Why sheep ? Sheep are fascinating creatures who have been linked to humans for over 10,000 years . Thus , shepherding is an ancient employment , and it makes tangible a deep sense of connection to generations of shepherds
reaching back in history and across virtually all parts of the world .
The essentials of shepherding haven ’ t really changed much . Sheep provide livelihood , food clothing and warmth , of course . They also provide lessons in trust , community , and the need to be on the land in a way that ensures that it can sustainably support life . The diversity of cultures in which sheep and wool as meaningful and useful components of traditions , history , survival , and artistic expression is truly amazing . Feeling connected to all of this can be deeply grounding , enriching and humbling .
Today ’ s sheep are not wild animals but are virtually 100 percent dependent on humans for their survival . Primitive sheep grew both wool and hair , but over centuries and across cultures people have selected for wool production . ( There are still primitive or “ unimproved ” breeds , most of whom continue to produce hair or a mix of hair and wool ). As a general rule , hair sheds and wool does not shed . Hence the need for wool sheep to be sheared ,
plenty I spring sowing 2023 41