Thankfully , an organization was developed in North Carolina to preserve American history through agriculture called the Livestock Conservancy . Dedicated to finding and saving the breeds of our past the Livestock Conservancy is a force for change , and members in Loudoun are taking up the call .
One such organization is Solitude Wool , a woman and veteran owned company focusing on producing small batches of high quality fiber and yarn , and getting their farmers fair prices for it . This is what Solitude Wool says of their heritage breeds : “ Solitude carries yarn and / or roving from six sheep breeds the Livestock Conservancy has designated “ Threatened ” or placed in a “ Watch ” status . These breeds include Clun Forest , Cotswold , Jacob , Karakul , Leicester Longwool and Tunis .” The “ Woolies ,” as the Solitude Wool partners call themselves , love that these breeds have such varied types of fleece . Farmers across the country are re-discovering heritage animals and praising them for a variety of valuable characteristics . The importance of wide genetic diversity alone is reason to raise these animals but many of these breeds were developed for their hardiness , parasite resistance , mothering ability , and adaptability to changing and harsh environments .
Along with sheep , for which Loudoun County is rich with , horses are of course a famous part of Loudoun heritage , and one farm is working to preserve one of the most endangered breeds on the planet , the Caspian horse . Once believed to be extinct for over a thousand years , a few were
Top : Cotswold sheep raw fiber from Solitude Wool ; above : Caspian stallion from Menagerie Farm .
rediscovered in 1965 . Now organizations across the globe work to keep this ancient breed alive . One farm in Loudoun County does the same . Menagerie Farm in Purcellville , owned by Jon and Cathy Johnson has been working with purebred Caspians since 2004 . “ I ’ d been enchanted with Caspians since I was a small child going with my Aunt Peggy to Kathleen McCormick ’ s Towner Farm in Great Falls , Virginia where she had Jehan — the first Caspian exported from Iran in 1966 . I can remember thinking he was the most beautiful pony I ’ d ever seen ,” says Cathy . Menagerie Farm works to produce quality purebred Caspian horses as a promotion for the breed and sport as well as companionship .
Another equine farm in Loudoun County works with something a little different : donkeys . Mammoth Jackstock Donkeys , created
by George Washington to produce larger draft mules for pulling boats through canals have always been rare . Currently these donkeys are listed on the “ watch ” list for endangerment . Audrey Cadle , the owner of Donkey Meadows in Purcellville fell in love with the donkey ’ s intelligence and gentle demeanor . “ This is the largest size donkey . They are beautiful , fun , intelligent , gentle giants . At Donkey Meadows we use our donkeys for riding companions and concentrate on educating the public about their wonderful qualities , abilities and history of this great animal .” Donkey Meadow ’ s motto is : “ Be different , ride a donkey ,” and this passion helps to preserve a special part of history tied directly into our first American President right here in Loudoun County .
There are dozens of farms located in Loudoun that are working to protect heritage breeds and to recognize them all we would need a book . Even if you don ’ t live on a farm you can contribute to helping preserve heritage livestock . Visit the Livestock Conservancy at www . livestockconservancy . organd the farms and organizations mentioned at : solitudewool . com , www . menageriefarm . net and www . donkeymeadows . com
Paisley Ashland is a second year undergraduate at Delaware Valley University and has been an active Livestock Conservancy member for many years . She has travelled the East-Coast to exhibit her heritage goats , ducks , and chickens . She lives on a small homestead outside of Lovettsville , VA , where she raised critically endangered San Clemente Island goats and Dutch hookbill ducks .
44 wander I fall • winter 2020