Despite a centuries-long tradition of sheep dairying in Eurasia, sheep dairies are rare in the United States. But burgeoning demand for artisanal sheep cheeses is prompting more shepherds launching dairy enterprises. 

This episode of Voices from the Field is the first of a two-part conversation between Maryrose Livingston of Northland Sheep Dairy in New York — America's oldest sheep dairy — and NCAT Regenerative Grazing Specialist Linda Poole. It is part of the podcast’s occasional “She’s Raising Sheep” series.

Maryrose shares useful, funny, and sometimes painful lessons in her journey from suburban Detroit schoolgirl to being the shepherd and cheesemaker at what may be America's only certified 100-percent grassfed, organic sheep dairy. 

Among the subjects Maryrose and Linda discuss are evasive grazing to control parasites, the question of nutritional wisdom of sheep, and how raising grassfed livestock is Maryrose's answer to creating a beautiful life while helping heal the land. 

Related ATTRA Resources:

·        Episode 244. She’s Raising Sheep: Indiana’s Denice Rackley

·        Episode 246. She’s Raising Sheep: New Zealand Shepherd Bev Trowbridge

·        Episode 247. She’s Raising Sheep: Montana Shepherd Becky Weed

·        Episode 251. She’s Raising Sheep: California Shepherd Lani Estill

·        Episode 272. She’s Raising Sheep: Minnesota Shepherd Janet McNally

·        Episode 282. She’s Raising Sheep: Montana Shepherd Maloi Lannan

·        Episode 299. She’s Raising Sheep: Wendy Auzqui of Wyoming

·        Tips for Marketing Sheep and Goat Products: Dairy

·        Tipsheet: Organic Cattle, Sheep, and Goats for Dairy

·        Dairy Production on Pasture: An Introduction to Grass-Based and Seasonal Dairying
 
 Other Resources:

·        Northland Sheep Dairy

·        Georgis’ Parasitology for Veterinarians

 Contact Linda Poole at [email protected].

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You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.