Today’s post will come as no surprise to many of you. I only didn’t share the news sooner as I’ve been having too much fun offline — collecting armfuls of wild greens, getting quicker at doing and undoing the lock at the new fence, and listening to and trying to reply to the baaaahs that are now part of our hill’s symphony.
Dear friends, near and far, I give to you Cravinho and Jasmim.
Our newest inhabitants at the hill are a traditional local breed called Merina Preta (or Black Merino, in English). Once upon a time the most common breed of merino in the country, this breed was gradually replaced for white breed varieties, whose wool is easier is dye and thus more profitable. Yes, I am totally calling out white supremacy here among sheep! Due to this, Merina Preta was once almost extinct.
We have been dreaming of adding sheep to the family for many years now, for a few different reasons, and it made all sense to opt for a traditional, locally-adapted breed. The most important reason might be fire protection. Because sheep graze and help maintain the grass cut short, and the brush trimmed, they will be so incredibly valuable in helping keep the Land safe(r). Especially when we bring in a breed that has evolved in this environment, alongside our bioregional plants, and is rustic and resilient. Score! Sheep over strimmers!
Compost is another big reason (as if I needed another reason to cuddle a sheep…). It will be wonderful to collect this new manure and feed it to our plants after curing. At the same time, I’m looking forward to letting the sheep spend a couple of days under each individual olive tree, and various fruit trees, to control new suckers and spread compost around the tree. Oh, the possibilities!
Lastly, well… You know me. Wool, wool, wool. I’ve been spinning with wool from Merina Preta (and Merina Branca, white merino, too!) for a good while now, sourced from my friend’s farm, but how special will it be to spin wool from my own sheep and knit with it? Talk about dreams coming true
And so, there you go. Today’s transmission is a short one. Like a text sent to a friend, saying I did it!, because truly that’s how it feels.
Is anyone else tending to sheep out there? Tell me about it! Share breeds! Will not say no to sheep photos, either! 🐑 (see?! Even the sheep emoji is white!)