
the Short story:
In 2018 my family bought 36 sheep with no previous experience raising livestock. Within 2 years half of our flock died, including most of the lambs that were born. Rookie mistakes, a lack of pasture management, and an absence of basic husbandry skills put us in this death spiral.
In 2020, I discovered the principles of regenerative agriculture and began shepherding the flock through rotational grazing. Through regenerative grazing, simple husbandry skills, and the Lord’s help death rate on our farm dropped to 1/3 of industry average.
But those first two years were so painful; an experience I never want anyone to have.
So I made it my goal to help beginner shepherds by providing free videos and proven supplies to help avoid common causes of death in flocks. Everything you find at Shepherdess.com is based on what I use to keep my own flock healthy; from my free training to the books and supplies,
For access to my most popular free class (Sheep 101) drop your email here: ↓↓↓
The Long Story:
My current situation is one I resisted for years.
I forged a path in the opposite direction, only to be boomeranged right into the middle of the work I was avoiding.
But with a plot twist: the work I tried so hard to resist has become some of the most important work of my life.
I am a shepherdess, a grass farmer, and an advocate for entrepreneurship in small-scale farming.

My background is in business management and digital marketing. However…
…in early 2020 I found myself with the rest of the world: at home.
Home for me was 30 acres in the country, with a flock of sheep.
And I really disliked the sheep.

(The flock in 2019, struggling to survive. In our first 2 years, we lost half of the initial flock to parasites and common diseases.)
In 2017, my family moved from the city to 30 acres in the country. 6 months later my parents bought a small flock of Dorper meat sheep to maintain a tax-exemption on the land. They chose sheep because they were small and thus more family friendly than large cattle.
Unfortunately, we were not aware that sheep (despite being smaller) are actually more difficult to raise than beef cows.
In our first 2 years, HALF our flock died.
Those first few years were so painful but (not to spoil the ending) today our flock health is above average. I created a free “Sheep 101” class for you that explains the exact problems we faced with instructions on how to avoid them yourself: ↓↓↓
Watch my YouTube Channel:
Back to the story…
From 2018-2019, I watched the struggle from my home office (with a pretty bad attitude, if I’m honest). I was working as a digital marketer and doing all I could to avoid farm life.
But in 2020 I woke up…

(In 2020 the US food supply chain broke, not for lack of food, but because of the centralized nature of our food system. Just 4 companies control 80%+ of the meat we eat in the USA.)
I read two headlines side-by-side.
One showcasing the euthanasia of millions of pounds worth of pork and chicken could be read right beside headlines showcasing empty shelves and “food shortages” nationwide.
I realized that our food supply chain was collapsing… and it was a supply chain I relied on for 3 meals a day.
In that moment, knew I had to establish my own food supply…
But I still wanted to ignore sheep. I decided I wanted to become a cowgirl and raise grass-fed beef.

(After many requests, I launched an online shop with the books that helped me most as a beginner in regenerative agriculture)
As I searched for a books that would teach me (a beginner) how to raise cows for meat, I found Salad Bar Beef, by Joel Salatin.
Within 5 chapters my mind was blown by the concept of Regenerative Agriculture and its core tenet: Management Intensive Rotational Grazing.
Its benefits were enticing: twice the amount of grass, a rapid increase in soil health, a system that disrupts the life cycle of internal parasites —
Then I put down the book and looked out my window at a flock of sheep that was dying of internal parasites.
I had just been given the knowledge necessary to save those dying sheep.
The books I was reading were primarily for cows, but I knew I could probably adapt the principles to work for sheep. So I gave it my best shot…
(September 2020: the flock in one of the first grazing paddocks I setup.)
Within 4 weeks I had a simple grazing system setup for the flock.
I began using electric fence to move the sheep to to fresh pasture every two days. The speed of this rotation stifled the life cycle of the parasites parasites.
What happened over the next few months still give me goosebumps...

(Through grazing management and basic husbandry practices, death rate went from 45% to less than 5%!!)
Hollow frames became plump, rough coats began to shine, and heads that hung low under unseen internal burdens were lifted up.
A flock we thought would die out over summer entered a season of new life as we approached Autumn.
But the biggest change took place inside me. I fell in love with these sheep, the land, and the way that both improved under my management.
After a few months of shepherding, I went to my parents with the better portion of my cash savings and bought the flock.
The flock I had hated for 2 years.
(After 3 years on pasture, I wrote the book that I could not find as beginner raising sheep: the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture)
My mission is to provide beginner shepherds with the resources and education that we did not have back in 2018…
I want you to be able to raise a healthy flocks of grass-fed meat sheep; sheep that produce a sustainable and nutrient dense food source for your own family…
If you are farming for profit, I share what I know from 20 years in marketing and entrepreneurship to help you monetize your farm. Watch more on my Youtube Channel!
-the Shepherdess
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:9