What I learned at Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival

Whew! It’s hard to believe the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival was nearly two weeks ago! It was an absolute whirlwind, and I came home exhausted, exhilarated, and with my head crammed full of ideas for next year.

Here are a few things that stuck with me.

Sheep & Wool is all about the intersection of people and agriculture.

Whether your animals are raised for fiber or food, there’s something here for you. Looking for that absolutely perfect shade of wool for your next project? A cozy sheepskin for cold winter mornings? The very best grass-fed lamb? And soooo much more? This is the place!

Sasha and Frost were the stars of the show.

People LOVED meeting Sasha (The Thinker) and Frost (The Sweetheart). It was immensely gratifying to hear the oohs and aahs, and the comments about how beautiful they are, over and over again.

The girls behaved beautifully and were remarkably tolerant of all the attention. Frost, in particular, seemed to love making new friends. Sasha took a more thoughtful approach, as you might expect from a lamb whose nickname is The Thinker!

It was also great fun introducing people to the Dorper breed, sharing a little of its history, and explaining why Dorpers are such a good fit for Lucky Dog Farm.

People have a LOT of questions about sheep. And that's a good thing!

What do sheep eat? How big will Sasha and Frost get? How old are they? Are they really that different from each other? What makes them special? What’s the difference between hair sheep and wool sheep?

I fielded questions about sheep in general and the girls in particular all weekend. I love these conversations. The more people understand about the animals behind their food and fiber, the better.

People really are interested in where their food comes from.

I had some wonderful conversations with folks who wanted to know more about Lucky Dog Farm, from our regenerative farming practices and low-input systems to our small carbon footprint and what makes Dorper lamb special.

These are exactly the kinds of conversations I love having. Raising good food isn't just about the finished product. It's about how we care for our animals, manage our land, and make the most of the resources we have. I'm always happy to talk about how we do things here at Lucky Dog Farm—and why.

The recipe cards were a hit, and my email list got a healthy boost!

I handed out DOZENS of recipe cards, each with a packet of Lucky Dog Farm herb mix, and added DOZENS of new names to my email list. I also met wonderful people from all over the Northeast and reconnected with old friends, including some I hadn't seen in at least ten years.

That's a pretty good weekend in my book. I love being able to share a little of the farm with people, whether it's through a recipe, a conversation about pasture management, or the chance to meet two very personable lambs.

And finally, a BIG shout-out to my dear friend Jamie.

Without Jamie, the whole weekend would have been a truly herculean task. We had this silly idea that we'd have plenty of time to chat, catch up, and enjoy some quality time together.

HAH!

We were so busy that we barely had time to grab a few bites of breakfast or lunch, and by the end of both Saturday and Sunday, we were practically hoarse from talking. So much for a relaxing weekend with a friend! But I couldn't have done it without her, and I'm incredibly grateful she was there.

All in all, the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival was a wonderful reminder of how many people care about sheep, farming, local food, and the connections between them. I came home tired, happy, full of new ideas, and already thinking about next year. I can’t wait!

To everyone who stopped by to meet Sasha and Frost, picked up a recipe card, joined my email list, or simply took a few minutes to talk sheep with me: thank you! It was a pleasure meeting you, and I truly hope to see you next year!

Now, back to the farm. The sheep aren't going to feed themselves!

—Farmer Judith
Lucky Dog Farm, South Strafford, Vermont