Holley teen entrusted with endangered breed; will show ewe at Orleans County 4-H Fair
by Grace Griffee
In addition to four sheep, the Drechsels are raising 29 chickens and a rooster. “…when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again,” wrote American Naturalist William Beebe.
Holley teen Claudia Drechsel is doing her part to ensure that doesn’t happen to her sheep, Nettie, a Navajo-Churro. The breed is on the threatened breed list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and Claudia was selected to receive the sheep through a program called the Youth Conservationist Program.
Claudia, age 14, first fell in love with sheep on a visit to Genesee Country Museum where she saw two Lincoln Longwools, known for their friendly nature and long coat. An active member of 4-H since third grade, Claudia already had experience raising and showing chickens. So when the grandmother of a fellow 4-H member told her about the Youth Conservationist Program, Claudia rolled up her sleeves and got to work on the long application process to become a young shepherd.
The program enables youth to experience the joys and responsibilities of conserving heritage wool sheep breeds. Last year, the program awarded 15 registered ewes to 15 youth between the ages of 9 and 18. 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.
Claudia chose the Navajo-Churro for a couple of reasons. “I like the horns – sometimes rams can have four horns, and they have dual purpose wool,” she explained. “The top layer is a protective coat that makes them a hardy breed that can adapt to different climates and the under layer is soft, so it’s good to spin for Navajo blankets and rugs.”
Claudia Drechsel, age 14, became interested in raising sheep when she saw them at Genesee Country Museum. She is shown here with Nettie (left), a Navajo Churro, that she will show at the Orleans County Fair, and her brother’s sheep, Juniper.Claudia’s application was sent to the person donating a sheep to the program and she was selected to receive Nettie. But in order to pick her up, Claudia and her family had to travel to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May and be part of the parade of breeds. “It was fun to see all the breeds,” said Claudia. “Nettie was the only Navajo-Churro there.”
The program also requires her to exhibit the ewe at least twice in 2014 at a country fair or local sheep show and the State Fair; breed the ewe to a registered ram in the fall of this year; use the ewe’s fleece to personally make a woolen item or sell the fleece to a spinner, felter or weaver; and finally, submit a report with photos to the donor breeder by April of next year.
It took a little while for Claudia to gain Nettie’s trust, but the two are clearly bonded now. She will show her ewe at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on July 25.
Her brother, Andrew, age 10, has a Lincoln Longwool named Juniper that he will also show at the fair.
They will be judged on showmanship and how well they handle their sheep as they walk around the ring. In the wool class, they will be judged on the animal’s coat and other characteristics.
Andrew said he joined 4-H because he likes animals and taking care of them. Both Drechsel children followed in their mother Trina’s footsteps; she also participated in 4-H as a child. “It’s a learning process,” said Claudia. “You learn about public speaking, get to make friends outside of school and take a lot from it.”
Once the fair is over, Claudia and her mom will be taking Nettie to breed with a registered ram in either Binghamton or Ithaca. Then in the spring, Nettie will likely give birth to triplets, which are common for Navajo-Churros.
Claudia has also been working on felted projects and spinning Nettie’s wool. “It took hours for me to spin one skein, but the lanolin makes my hands nice and soft,” she said. Her goal is to make a scarf from start to finish on her own. She will take the wool from her sheep and wash, card, dye, spin and knit it into a scarf. “It will be a lot of work, but the person I give it to will know that it’s not something I just bought at the store.”
The Orleans County 4-H Fair will be held at the fairgrounds on Route 31 between Albion and Medina from July 22-27. For information visit orleans4-hfair.com.
