Holley family continues to breed rare sheep with great success
Spring has finally sprung and at the Drechsel farm in Holley that means lambs and plenty of them.
Both Drechsel children, Claudia, a 10th grader at Holley Middle School/High School, and Andrew, a sixth grader at Holley Elementary School, have participated in the Youth Conservationist Program, which enables young people to experience the joys and responsibilities of conserving heritage wool sheep breeds.
Applicants must write an essay about themselves and their experience with animals, explain their interest in a specific breed of sheep, and answer the question, “Why would I like to help preserve a heritage breed sheep?” They must also include a letter of recommendation from their 4-H advisor, veterinarian, teacher or clergy.
Two years ago, Claudia won Netty, a Navajo Churro, through the program. The breed is on the threatened list with fewer than 1,000 registered annually. Netty gave birth to two lambs, Elsa and Anna, last year and is due to lamb again very soon. New owners receive their ewe at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in early May and are required to breed the ewe to a registered ram in the fall.
Andrew followed in his sister’s footsteps and was awarded a Hog Island sheep, Reba, at last year’s festival. “He received her from a previous winner,” said his mom, Trina. “So the program tends to have previous winners give back to help continue promoting rare breeds.” The Drechsel family plans to donate a lamb back to the program as well.
Andrew said he requested a Hog Island because of the breed’s interesting history. According to the Hog Island Sheep Breeders Association, Hog Island is a barrier island off the Eastern Shore of Virginia. About 200 years ago a flock of sheep was established on the island using sheep of British origin. The sheep of Hog Island evolved in response to the island’s natural selection for hardiness and foraging ability. Hog Island sheep are one of the few populations of feral sheep in the United States and are on the critical list with fewer than 200 registered annually.
Fortunately, the Drechsel’s friends, the Trembley family, have a farm in Albion and were able to obtain a flock of Hog Islands last summer. (Follow them on Facebook at “Barnfield Farm on Johnny Cake Lane.”) Reba was sent there to breed and gave birth to one ram lamb that Andrew named Hurley. “We will probably find a home for the lamb so he can be bred with other stock,” said Trina.
The Drechsels also have Lincoln Longwool sheep, another heritage breed that is part of the Livestock Conservancy. Hazel, one of Claudia’s sheep, gave birth to a ram lamb this spring named Basil. Andrew’s Lincoln Longwool, Juniper, had twin girls, Kate and Juliet, a week after the others were born.
In May, Andrew will be sharing the story of his sheep at the Annual Orleans County Conservation Field Days at the 4-H Fairgrounds where sixth graders from Orleans County will come to learn about various conservation topics. The event is organized by the 4-H Youth Development Program of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. For information, visit cceorleans.org.
Photos by Grace Griffee
