The Shepherdess

Resources for Beginner Sheep Farmers, Dorper Sheep for Sale in Texas!

Monthly Farm Updates

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Meat (sheep) Stats 🐑🥩 | How Much Meat do Dorper Sheep Produce?

Hi Friends,

October was pretty low-key on pasture, but I sent a few lambs to processing. I will share meat stats and recipes below! 🐑🥩 Thank you to everyone who purchased during my Autumn livestock sale. Breeding stock is sold out for 2025. Next availability is looking like February 2026!

Grass fed lamb: 110lb at roughly 10 months old.

I sent a group of meat wethers off to processing in October. I aim for 100lb live weight before sending to the butcher, but 90 lb is also a good average.

My best bloodlines will hit this weight on mom’s milk and forage only by about 9-10 months.

A lamb at 100lb I will yield roughly 50lb worth of meat in the package.

I make my grass-fed lamb available on a local basis before shipping. Subscribe below for a chance to buy my meat once my local demand is satisfied:

A lot of people ask how I cook with lamb, so I created a video with 5 American Style Recipes!

(click the photo above to watch and download the cookbook)

If you are looking to raise your own grass-fed meat sheep, check out my book for beginners: the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture​

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September 2025 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Sheep in Texas

Hi Friends,

This farm update includes some long-awaited info. My Fall Lamb and Starter Flock sale kicks off this month! More updates to follow, so be watching.

When it comes to my flock I cull for 4 characteristics: Parasite resistance, good maternal traits, hoof health, and meaty frames on pasture only.

This year a 5th trait is really emerging within the flock: uniformity. While I don’t “cull for cosmetics” it is super encouraging to see the consistency in frame (meatiness), lowline, and hair coat in nearly every sheep.

Fall lambing is underway! Due to a breeding-glitch that happened back in May, my fall lambing season is a bit smaller than usual… but the new additions are looking great!

If you have been waiting to buy lambs or a Complete Starter Flocks from my farm, be sure to be on the lookout for further updates!

I added the last of the inventory to the $10 tee sale!! We filled all the orders from the August rush, then added leftovers to the site. This is the end of my tee shirt collection until at least 2026, so jump grab yours!!

$10 tee sale

More soon,

-the Shepherdess

“The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked:
the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
Nahum 1:3

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May 2025 Farm Update

Looking for Dorper Sheep for sale? Join my waitlist here:

Hi friends,

This month definitely had some extreme highs and lows… it’s been a rough week and I’m going to share about it in this update.😔

Good News:

Let’s start with the good news: all 2025 lambs have been safely delivered to their new owners (with a few more stashed in freezer camp)! It was a huge pleasure to meet so many of you and put these lambs into good hands.

The last handful of early-spring lambs are weaned and looking great! As always, my lambs are weaned into a clean pen (for 2 weeks) and fed alfalfa hay before rejoining the flock. This allows the ewes to dry off and the lambs to adjust to all forage in a controlled environment with quality feed.

Bad News:

Now I guess I’ll get to the sad news. Back in January my rams broke out of their “seasonal confinement” and spent enough time with the flock to breed a few ewes. Lambs born in May and June always fail to thrive on pasture (parasites), so I avoid lambing in these months… however 5 sweet surprises popped up on pasture this month – and I was in love. 🥰

Unfortunately, however, last week we had the first predator attack in 3 years. A pack of dogs or coyote (we have both) came through and took out all of the newborn lambs overnight.

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One lamb was left half eaten, another found dead, and the other three were completely missing.

The details:

This instance was honestly a logistical error on my part. When I have lambing ewes I keep them as close to the house as possible and make sure they are near the enclosure in case I need to shut them up overnight. Because this was not a regular lambing group I dropped protocol and maintained my regular rotation.

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In May and June I graze the flock at the far end of my 30 acres, which is near the edge of the woods: the very worst spot for grazing when tiny lambs are in the mix.

About a day before the attack, one of the ewes gave birth at the edge of the woods. Presumably, the after-birth from that delivery encouraged predators even further.

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It was a pretty sickening experience, but honestly could have been a lot worse. I had just weaned my spring lambs into a safe pen and the lambs that I sold were safely with their new owners.


​For those who will likely ask if I have a Livestock Guardian Dog: we do have a large Pyrenees mix that roams the majority of our 30 acres. To her credit she was trying to get our attention the night of the attack. I have not had success bonding a formal LGD to the flock: my last Pyrenees was a wanderer and we lost him to highway traffic.

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I hope that sharing some of these details will help you! Maybe you can use it to adjust or add to your own system to avoid similar losses.

In all, it was really sad, but thankfully (because they were surprises) I was not banking on these lambs for income. The Lord was merciful to cut my losses, remind me of why certain protocol is important, and give a dose of humility – which is always a good thing to grow in.

I will close on a positive note! The 3rd printing of my book, the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture, was delivered. THANK YOU for your supporting my self-published (not on Amazon) book. A special thanks to Redmond Agriculture and Lakeland Farm and Ranch for helping with the printing costs on this 3rd edition.

-the Shepherdess

P.S. Submission deadline for the Dorper Dream Flock Giveaway has been extended to June 15th. Read about how you can apply for the starter flock HERE!

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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April 2025 Farm Update

Looking to purchase Dorper Sheep? Join my waitlist for lambs:

Hi Friends,

I don’t know where to start with this update… this month has been PACKED!! I’ll do my best to recap it below.

First off: I have extended applications for the Dorper Dream Flock Grant through June 15th. For those who are still working through Raising Sheep 101, you have some extra time to finish the material and submit your grant application!

This project has been on my bucket list for a long time: A COOKBOOK! I took 5 f America’s best-loved recipes and made them with LAMB. It was so much fun!! Best of all: I am letting you download the cookbook for FREE. (tap the photo to find the download)

Download the shepherdess cookbook (free)

The flock is growing by leaps and bounds! I am prepping for buyer pickups this month. Many of these sheep will be at their new homes come June… while they wait on their new owners they are eating through the massive amount of grass that’s growing right now.

Completion prizes for Homestead Business Bootcamp Students!!

Another massive project behind the scenes is the Shepherdess Homestead Business Bootcamp. This is a 6 month coaching program where I help beginners in business lay the foundation for a 6-figure home-based revenue stream. We start from ZERO and build out a business plan month by month (for 6 months). Enrollment is closed for 2025. I plan to host another group in 2026, so tap the button below to be added to the waitlist!

And just for fun: an up-close from one of my bottle lambs. Despite being weaned, these little guys are always the first to run up and say “hi!”

And as a reminder: my book the Basics of Raising sheep on Pasture covers all of the basics of pasture management and sheep husbandry (250+ FULL COLOR PAGES).

BUY THE BOOK (free shipping)

Thanks for reading!

-the Shepherdess

“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
Psalm 90:17

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March 2025 Farm Update

Join the waitlist to purchase my Dorper Lambs:

Hi Friends,

I have great news! THE DORPER DREAM FLOCK GRANT IS BACK FOR 2025!!!! Applications are open now (please be careful to read and ensure you qualify before submitting your application).

Thanks to everyone who purchased lambs last month: I am sold out of breeding stock for spring 2025. I have a few meat wethers available, but family gets first dibs. If you
are interested in the meat wethers (castrated rams, no vaccines, sold
alive, to be grazed and finished at your place), use the link below to
be added to the waitlist.

I weaned off some of my fall lambs last month. Splitting my lambing groups in two has been so great. It evens out the work load. I am now working with two moderately sized lambing groups, rather than one mega-group!

Once weaned, I will feed the lambs a quality alfalfa hay in a dry pen for about 2 weeks. This gives the moms time to dry off, and provides the lambs with a high-quality transition off of mom’s milk and onto 100% forage.

We had some erratic low-temps this spring, which put my pasture behind about 2 week. But with the warmer temps we are OFF TO THE RACES. It is going to be tough to keep up with all the grass – but no complaints about that problem!

I am asked about my mineral program. I started using Redmond Livestock Salts about 3 years ago and they have been GREAT. Because we have so much rain, I invested in one of these bull-mineral feeders. It is covered and sturdy!

If you’d like to try the Redmond Sheep Mineral for yourself, I sell 5lb bags in my SUPPLY SHOP HERE. (Free Shipping on $75+)

And as a reminder: my book offers all of the information you need on the Basics of Raising sheep on Pasture in a photo-focused format (250+ FULL COLOR PAGES).

BUY THE BOOK (free shipping)

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Be sure to see if you qualify for the 2025 Dorper Dream Flock Grant!​

-the Shepherdess

“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
Psalm 90:17

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February 2025 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Sheep in Texas

Hi Friends,

I have a lot to share with you this month! First, fair warning that lamb reservations are opening next week (March 10th). SUBSCRIBE using this form for email reminders leading up to the sale:

Second, I will be speaking at the Texas Homestead Conference in Waco on April 25th and 26th. An early bird discount for tickets is still available as of today! I hope to see a bunch of you there!

I will be sharing about sheep and building a how I built a diversified homestead-based business!

February is quarterly inspection month. I FAMACHA score ewes and deworm if needed. I also take time to give lambs a preventative treatment for coccidiosis. Everyone is looking great and ready for spring grazing to kick off in March!

I shared about this portable/pasture based lambing jug on social media and people loved it! It is cattle panels, held together with zip ties and lined with chicken wire at the bottom. A majority of my ewes bond on pasture without the jug, however this year several few first-time moms needed the closed-quarters to bond.

I was asked how I catch the ewe and to get her into the jug: I will pour a bit of feed on the ground, then grab her by the back leg as she is distracted with eating… then drag her by her bum into the enclosure (where her new lamb is already).

It usually only takes 24 hours for duo to bond, then they are let back out with the main group! Special credits to my mom for actually constructing this cage.

And finally, a MASSIVE thank you to the 1400+ people who joined me for my free class series in February!! It was such a blessing to experience the biggest turnout yet! Click HERE for access to a replay of the free class: “The Basics of Raising, Grazing, and Marketing Sheep”

Thank you for letting me be a part of your farms,

The Shepherdess

“…but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:6-7

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January 2025 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Sheep in Texas

Hi Friends,

I am continuing my social media break through February 13th, but I have been busy behind the scenes. Here is a look at January on the farm!

But first, I am hosting 3 (free) LIVE classes for beginner sheep farmers this month (Feb 18-22nd)!!! The classes are held virtually on a platform similar to zoom. During the 1 hour livestream I am going to teach how I:

  • Raise Sheep (for above average flock health)
  • Graze Sheep (to maximize pasture and minimize feed costs)
  • Market Sheep (direct-selling lambs for $480 each)

Each class will be the same (covering all 3 topics above in 1 hour), but I usually fill up really fast so I am hosting it 3 different times. That way everyone that wants can have a chance to attend 🙂

CLAIM YOUR SPOT

We had a pretty significant amount of snow (for Texas) this month. I think it was close to 5″! It melted pretty quickly.

LIVE LAMBING PHOTOS below, so stop at this picture if you don’t want to see.

It feels like I just finished fall lambing, and here I am with my main group starting to lamb! Last year I moved my main lambing from March/April to January/February. It worked so well I am repeating it for 2025. I am often asked if Dorpers do well in freezing temperatures. Yes! The lambs are extremely hardy, as long as they get on their feet and start nursing immediately after birth they don’t seem to have any trouble.

I had a ewe that lost her lamb to a breech presentation (you can tell the lamb is breech when it’s “toes” come out pointing downward). Despite the stillborn lamb, the ewe was very eager to be a mother… so I took the opportunity to try something I have seen other sheep farmers do…

I put the skin of the dead lamb on one of my bottle lambs…

The bottle lamb wore the skin like a jacket for a little over a day and the duo bonded perfectly! It was a great success!

E-book: the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture

Given the high cost of international shipping, I have had many requests for an E-BOOK version of my bestselling book: the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture. Enjoy!

I hope to see you at one of my free (online) classes this month!

-the Shepherdess

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” Psalm 37:7

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November Farm Update

Hi Friends,

This farm update is packed with announcements! Ram lamb reservations are open! I had an 80%-20% ram-to-ewe ratio this year, so I don’t have any ewes to offer, but these ram lambs are sure to upgrade your flock!

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Also you are invited to my 3rd annual SMALL FARMER VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY (free livestream)!! It is Friday December 12th at 8pm (CST).

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Chicken Lady and I are hosting. We will have farm trivia for prizes. Because it is virtual you can join from anywhere in the USA and even worldwide (just keep in mind the time zone differences).

The flock is doing great! We have had a lot of pasture this year, so there has been plenty to graze.

My first fall lambing was pretty low-key… “low key” is always a welcome label for lambing! A few ewes needed assistance, which is typical for my flock – especially with singles. Singles are much larger than twins and more prone to becoming stuck en-route :).

(Just as a heads up, I am not sitting on this ewe… my legs are propped in a way that is not applying any significant pressure)

The only unusual issue I had with a lamb was an umbilical cord bleed. The photo on the left shows the lamb’s cord (still bleeding) 24 hours after birth. For reference, after 24 hours the cord should be mostly dry (shriveled up). I did not have an umbilical clamp or surgical string (recommended for this issue), so simply sprayed the cord area really well with Vetericyn wound spray and tied it off with dental floss (about 3/4″ from the belly). The photo on the right is after about 10 days! The cord popped off and is completely healed over.

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This issue often occurs as a result of the cord being stepped on by the mom or the lamb shortly after birth. The prevention here would have been trimming and disinfecting the cord at birth (when I noticed it dragging the ground). Lesson learned, but I’m grateful for a happy ending!

A (non-refundable) deposit of 50% is due now and the remaining 50% before pickup in April/May (will email you at the first of the year with details). You must be ready and able to pickup the ram in Sulphur Springs Texas. delivery within 120 mile radius is available for an additional fee.

And to finish it off, here is EARLY ACCESS to my 3rd episode from my series on Shepherding in Europe!

-the Shepherdess

P.S: All orders for BOOKS, SHIRTS , or STICKERS from now until Christmas Day will come with a MAFA Sticker as a free gift!! Keep Shepherdess.com in mind for Christmas Shopping!

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11

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October Farm Update

Hi Friends,

October was packed FULL!! I met many of you at Homesteaders of America conference, was invited to film Hurricane relief in NC, and returned to the farm just in time for lambs to start dropping. Enjoy the update… and I share some voting info for my pro-life followers at the end of the email, so please scroll!

My sisters and parents made my trip to Homesteaders of America possible this year!

Hannah was one of many I met at Homesteader’s this year. I’m so grateful for all of you who stopped by to say hi!

While driving home, I was invited to film a hurricane relief center near Asheville, NC. I created a video about the experience which gives insights on how you can better help the people of NC as winter approaches. CLICK TO WATCH​

I returned home to a flock that was ready for fresh grass! When the flock is not lambing, maintenance is really low. This makes it easy for a farm sitter to fill in while I leave town :).

Just a few days after returning, little white beauties started to pop up on pasture! For my video on BREEDING SHEEP 101, CLICK HERE.​

Lambing extends through Thanksgiving. I will likely take a few breeding stock reservations around Christmas (for pickup after weaning in early spring).

Stay tuned if you are on the list for breeding stock!

Presidential is on everyone’s mind, but here is a reminder there are other issues on the ballot that also carry MASSIVE importance. Senate seats are up for grabs, but also abortion (the killing of humans in the womb) is on the table like never before.

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Below is a list of amendments/propositions/etc. VOTE “NO” FOR LIFE! 👶🏼

•MISSOURI: Vote NO on Proposition 3

•Florida: Vote NO on Amendment 4

•NEW YORK: Vote NO on Proposition 1

•Arizona: Vote NO on Proposition 139

•Colorado: Vote NO on Amendment 79

•Maryland: vote NO on Question 1

•Montana: vote NO on Ballot Issue 14

•Nebraska: vote NO on Initiative 439

•Nevada: vote NO on Question 6

•South Dakota: vote NO on Constitutional Amendment G

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-the Shepherdess

“…that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” Daniel 4:17

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August 2024 Farm Update | Regenerative Agriculture in Texas, USA

Hi Friends,

August was full. While pasture work is at a minimum, I used the extra time to produce a video on the impact of regenerative grazing on the Carbon Cycle.

Video here (if you missed it)

Please comment/share/like ​the video​ to support it. There is a lot of bad (ag-related) policy coming out of the Climate Change Movement. This is my effort to combat it!

Enjoy a few more pics from August at the farm! (for those waiting on Marketing tutorials, I have a special offer at the end of the email)

Pardon the dust, no rain for e few weeks and these girls could use a shower!

I did my quarterly health inspection this month. I was FAMACHA scoring and deworming. I used to FAMACHA score monthly, but last year I moved from monthly to quarterly. A few ewes struggled with this transition, so ​I culled them​ overwinter. It was a great move and made for an easier year this year!

After deworming, I leave my sheep on on a dry lot for 48hrs. This means that parasites that were not killed by the dewormer are expelled onto a dry lot and not pasture. This is a helpful practice to avoid dewormer resistance!

Headed back to pasture after 48 hours in quarantine!

Despite a dry month we have plenty of pasture stockpiled from generous spring rains!

I get a lot of questions about marketing, so I am offering access to my ​”$100K w/ Newsletter Workshop”​ at 1/2 price through Septmember 5th. This digital workshop unpacks all of the details behind my email newsletter strategy. It was my email newsletter list the helped me to diversify and reach $100k in revenue on my farm within 3 years. The class also also gives you a “60-day Checklist” to help you through the tasks necessary to build toward your first sales.

*God gives the increase, so I cannot make any income guarantees. This Workshop is simply designed to guide you step-by-step in what worked for me!

I hope this resource helps you! If you can’t invest in the paid class right now, ​check this replay of the free class​ I hosted the other night :).

-the Shepherdess

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17

The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture

The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture

(53 customer reviews)

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July 2024 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Sheep in Texas

Hi Friends!
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This month is my 4th anniversary. 4 years ago I stepped on pasture with no previous experience in agriculture. I came from a background in Digital Marketing and product development in the retail apparel industry (yep, I went from fashion to farming).

Despite no background in farming, I had a deeply rooted drive to build out a food source for my family.

Over the past 4 years I have met thousands of others with the same drive (mostly through my Youtube channel).

There is so much happening right now that affirms our purpose.

Please keep at it. We may be on the brink of greater need than we could have ever imagined.

That was a more lengthy intro than normal, but I felt the need to encourage you forward. Now on to the farm update!

The flock is having a great summer. I made some adjustments to my breeding schedule and mineral regimen that have made a (huge) positive impact. The updates including increasing selenium and providing copper via a COWP Bolus. My spring lambs are all weaned and I have bred a few of my ewes for an October lambing!

I sent my 2nd round of grass-fed beeves off to the butcher! These guys
were about 27 months old. I’m excited to fill freezers with their
amazing meat. Here is a video that shares the whole process of raising grass fed beef on small acreage.

I always enjoy sharing paddock setup photos with you! If you click on the photo you’ll be taken to the complete supplies list with all the products I use for rotational grazing.

I sometimes perform fecal egg-counts at home check parasite loads. I talk about doing fecal egg counts from home in my book. I also talk about important parasites to watch for and how I treat them. Here is a sample page:

Sample page from The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture​

Last but not least, I updated the Shepherdess COMPLETE STARTER KIT for 2024 (now includes 32 products). This is a collection of the most important supplies I keep for my flock (including lambing supplies). Here is a video about the kit:

Thanks for reading! Keep up the great work,

the Shepherdess

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58

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June 2024 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Sheep in Texas

Interested in purchasing my Dorper Lambs? Join my waitlist below!

Hi Friends,

This was a fun month: but definitely filled full of hot, sweaty work. Enjoy a look behind the scenes at June! Also, I finally posted a full video of my first time butchering a lamb on farm. Check it out here!

Because Dorpers are hair sheep, we only have to shear once every 3-4 years. That means this is only the 2nd time shearing at our farm. Last attempt ended with me losing a chunk of my finger, passing out at the sight of my own blood, and my brother taking over. This time was a major success in comparison. Everyone has a haircut and I still have my fingers… haha!

Before shearing.

Yes, hair sheep shed, but in my flock 1 in 4 retain some fuzz on their back strap. It builds up and needs to be removed… especially with Texas temperatures approching the triple digits. (For those who might ask: I am using Premier1’s 4000s Shearing Machine and the Apache 9-tooth comb)

After shearing: I love how shiny they are!

Do I cull for shedding? Not yet… I’m actually using a good shedding ram to breed the fuzz out. This ram sheds slick and has eliminated most of the wooliness in my lambs!

You guys always comment on pics of my grazing paddock setup. This one shows one of my favorite tools: my Tarapost reel stand!! For a complete list of my grazing/watering system supplies, CLICK HERE (or on the photo above)!

I’m always asked: “what is a sheep’s favorite grass?” My answer is: almost anything green (goatweed being the exception)!

This photo shows how they grazed out a paddock full of weeds in just 2 days!

This was such a happy moment! Lucy was the 2024 Dorper Dream Flock Grant winner! We had roughly 147 grant applications and around 90 qualifiers. I performed a random drawing on the qualifiers and Lucy was the Dream Flock winner. She is a young farmer from the midwest, doing an amazing job!

Thank you to all who applied for the 2024 Dorper Dream Flock Grant, and for those who donated extra supplies to make the winner even more successful with these sheep! I look forward to providing another grant opportunity in 2025!

Until next time,

-the Shepherdess

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

Looking for sheep to buy? Checkout the Shepherdess Breeder Directory!

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May 2024 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Lambs in Texas

Join the Waitlist for 2024 Dorper Lambs!

Hi Friends,

Here is a look behind the scenes for May at Harmony Farms! The Dorper Dream Flock WINNER was announced (congrats to Lucy Rickard!). Regarding the livestock sale on May 30th: some of you wondered why I did not send an email about the lambs on sale day. My spring lambs were all spoken for through my website within a few minutes. I did not want to frustrate you by sending you an email with links to sold out lambs.

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If you missed my spring lamb availability, I should have a few more to offer this fall; including some more mature, breeding-ready rams for October joining! In the meantime, check out the Shepherdess Breeder Directory for farms near you!

This 5 month old grass (and milk) only ram lamb is starting to dwarf his mom!

It was such a pleasure it was to meet so many of you at the Sunny Hill Flower Farm Meet and Greet! I loved putting faces to names, hearing your stories, and talking small-scale farming/ranching. Such a pick-me-up! THANK YOU!!

I made a change this year that I am so happy about. I usually lamb in March and April. This year I lambed most of my flock in February. This allowed my lambs to put weight on before the late spring parasite bloom. As a result, they are more naturally resisting parasites and growing so well this year!

I rotate my sheep using 2 strands of poly-tape. Using poly-tape over electric netting requires that I use a 12Joule AC (AC means a wall-unit, not a solar) charger. You can see the burn-line underneath my poly-tape here!

I hope you enjoyed this update! Thank you for your support :).

-the Shepherdess

Looking for sheep to buy? Checkout the Shepherdess Breeder Directory!

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7

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April 2024 Farm Update

Interested in purchasing my Dorper Lambs? Join my waitlist below!

Hello Friends,

The lambs are growing strong and we have more grass than they can eat! It has been an amazing spring so far!

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I have 2 MAJOR announcements at the bottom of this email. #1. Details and a date for 2024 Lamb Reservations and #2. Information on the 2024 Dorper Dream Flock Grant! Scroll and enjoy!

The Crimson Clover came in strong this year and provided protein rich feed for my ewes (alongside ryegrass, vetch, Persian clover, and more). This Crimson Clover grows naturally in East Texas, however 2 years ago I broadcast a 50 lb bag of seed on this pasture. Here is a video that shares the process!​

Aside from hand-broadcasting, I do not perform any major pasture plantings. There are 3 reasons for this: #1: Seed and the planting process is expensive, #2: sheep thrive on lower quality pasture (planting fancy grasses is not a priority), and #3 The quality of my pasture has naturally improved with good grazing management.

I have a few Pigtail Posts leftover! Free shipping on $75+ so grab a set if you haven’t already!

2024 Livestock Sale: May 30th at 8AM (online only at Shepherdess.com)

On May 30th at 8am CST I will be posting both Dorper ewes and rams for sale at Shepherdess.com. My rams and ewes are from a single genetic line this year (with exception of the Dream Flock Grant), so they cannot be bred together; however the quality is rock solid and these sheep will shine in a well-managed pasture based system.

2024 Dorper Dream Flock Giveaway (details below):

Two days before my livestock sale (May 28th), I will be announcing the winner of the 2024 Dorper Dream Flock giveaway.

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That’s right, I am giving one of you the chance to start your Dorper dream flock, with 3 sheep from my flock! I will be selecting one farm/homestead to receive 2 Purebred Dorper breeding ewes, 1 Purebred Ram, a COMPLETE Shepherdess Supplies Kit, and a 1-1 consultation call (between the winner and I)! DETAILS to enter HERE! ​

Thanks so much for reading!

-the Shepherdess

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

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March 2024 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Lambs in Texas

Interested in purchasing my Dorper Lambs for your own farm? Join my waitlist below!

Hey Friends,

I am so excited to share behind the scenes from March at my farm. Also, mark your calendars for May 10-11th. Lordwilling, I will be in Luling Texas for a meet-and-greet! Market at the Farm is a free event hosted by Sunny Hill Flower Farm at Mercy Meadows Ranch. RSVP below!

Market at the Farm in Luling, TX is the perfect Mother’s Day day trip: U-pick flower garden, live music, food, coffee, petting zoo, games for children, local vendor market and more! I hope to see you there :).

RSVP HERE

(RSVP is free. If your schedule changes you can be cancel any time before the event.)

The very last lamb of the season was born in March! I will have more details on 2024 lambs for sale in April’s farm update! Please stay tuned.

I’m grateful for early spring pasture! I launched my spring grazing program on March 7th, one week ahead of schedule! I was definitely glad to stop feeding hay a bit early this year :).

Speaking of grazing! I found a great deal on 1000 Pigtail Posts for rotational grazing (previous owner used them to create dividers at a concert)! But I don’t need all 1000… I’m passing the deal on to you by selling bundles of 20 at almost HALF RETAIL PRICE (free shipping on $75+). Go grab some!!

I rotational graze my sheep, moving them to a fresh paddock around 2-5x per week. I use two lines of (electric) Polytape to create new paddocks. The lines are set at around 6″ and 24″. The heights make it too low to crawl under and too high to (comfortably) jump over.

With 6 bottle lambs at once, I decided to invest in some fenceline bottle racks! It is fun to watch them lineup and feed themselves!

I have been weaning my bottle lambs at 40lbs (reaching this weight by about 10 wks old). I feed them hay and alfalfa pellets (sometimes a small handful of crushed barely mixed in) so that they are ready for a full transition to solid food once they reach 40 lb.

For my regular lambs I wean them off their moms around 50 lbs. They stay in my weaning pen until they reach 60lb. In the weaning pen I deworm them and feed hay and alfalfa until they hit 60lb. It usually takes 4-6 weeks for them to reach 60lb. At 60lb, they graduate to pasture and are grazed the same as the rest of the flock. This is my 3rd year using this weaning system. Lambs in this system seem to have better parasite resistance than the rest!

I just listed my Raising Sheep Book Bundle, with the 3 books I recommend you have on hand as a beginner Shepherd. You can buy all 3 together or individually by clicking here!​

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Thanks for reading! I appreciate your support very much!

-the Shepherdess

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8

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February 2024 Farm Update | Raising Dorper Lambs in Texas

Interested in purchasing my Dorper Lambs for your own farm? Join my waitlist below!

Hi all,

February was busy and I am excited to give you a look at it! I have had several emails asking if I have been impacted by the the Texas Wildfires. No, I am closer to the Louisiana border than the Texas Panhandle. Please pray the fires come under control within the next week. Ranchers are depending on it for spring grazing.

I have been sharing about Amos Miller case since early 2022 when the Federal Govt. filed suit against his Organic Farm. Miller Organic Farm is now being sued by the state (a second major lawsuit). This month, I left the farm to attend the Amos Miller Rally in Lancaster, PA. I obtained press-pass to the court hearing and plan to update you all with more info on the proceedings. ​WATCH MY AMOS MILLER VIDEOS HERE!​

Lambing is almost finished! I have one ewe left to give birth. I am grateful for a good season and lambs that are growing like weeds! A few of the Lambs that were born in November have already been weaned. The lamb at the front is not weaned, but is a bottle lamb so she is residing at the weaning pen :).

Despite a (mostly) smooth lambing season, I hit a snag with one of my ewes. The ewe was small, the lamb was large and poorly positioned.

After trying for an hour to deliver the lamb, I loaded the ewe into a pet taxi and took her to the vet (thanks to my dad and brother’s help)…

After a rough c-section a big ram lamb was BORN ALIVE, but not responsive!

I spent about 30 minutes rubbing, stimulating, and even giving the lamb CPR. The vet also came and gave him a stimulant.

The lamb survived and is THRIVING!! I am so grateful to the Lord for a happy ending! His mother is also recovering very well!

If you are waiting on info regarding Dorper Lambs for SALE, be watching for info in the coming month. I am focusing a lot more on meat sales this year, but may have a handful of really high quality breeding ewes and rams up for grabs.

My EAT BEEF, NOT BUGS tee is now available in sizes S-3XL!! Your purchases help support my farm and the work I share on the internet.

If you are interested in raising sheep yourself, check out my book: The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture

Thanks so much for supporting my work!

-the Shepherdess

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

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January 2024 Farm Update

Hello Friends,

This update covers November-January. I can’t believe I have not sent a regular farm update since October! I am continuing my social media break through February 7th, but here is a little look at what’s happened from November-January!

WARNING: I have some lamb processing photos at the bottom of the post, so stop short if you are not interested in seeing them :).

(2 week old orphan lambs)

In November one of my oldest ewes die shortly after giving birth to twins. I never had success raising lambs on powdered formula. For these lambs, I sourced raw goat milk and had a huge success!!

10 weeks old and 40lbs!!

The ram lamb hit 40lb by 10wks!! To stay budget friendly, I switched to a lower cost formula once the lambs were around 7 weeks (still NOT powdered, but one of you left a comment on facebook telling me how to amend cow milk from the store… THANK YOU!). I plan to make a video with all 3 homemade formula recipes I tried.

The flock is 1/2 way through lambing! I scheduled a January/February lambing instead of March/April lambing this year. Parasite pressure is really hard on my March/April lambing group. This lambing is an experimenting to see if we can mitigate some of the struggle.

(click to buy the book!)

In 2020 we experienced what seemed like “food shortages”. In reality, there was a bottle neck in our meat processing system.

80% of our nations meat supply is controlled by 4 major meat processors.

​From 2020-2022, local slaughter houses were booked up to a year in advance as major meat packers recovered from lock-down-related closures.

Since observing this, it has been my goal to get in touch with how to process my own meat.

Butchering livestock is way outside of my comfort zone, but so far I have processed 3 sheep. It has been very rewarding to develop this skill set…

The first lamb had died of bloat (she gained access to a feed bag and over-indulged). I decided to make lemonade out of the situation and use her as my first practice! I was not able to eat this one, since I had just run a dewormer treatment the day before (withdraw period is about 14 days for the dewormer I use)

The second lamb was much smaller, but still some great practice.

The third was a mutton that I was able to breakdown and use for a dinner party! It tasted really incredible!

Thanks for reading this update!

-the Shepherdess

The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Proverbs 27:26

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October 2023 Farm Update

Hello Friends!
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I am excited to share an October farm update with you! This one is fun because I had the opportunity to travel to Virginia to meet some of you! Enjoy a look at October at Harmony Farms.

I traveled to Virginia for Homesteaders of America 2023! I was super-excited to find an orange TENT for the event ;). It was a great opportunity to promote my book!

If you missed the conference, all of my tees are available (with FREE SHIPPING) at Shepherdess.com!

The best part of the whole event was meeting so many of your face to face!!

October is such a month of refreshing on the farm! The lambs are all off to processing, the weather is cool, and the ewes are ready for breeding.

This year I shortened my fall breeding window. I talk about it in this video, but I noticed that ewes that lamb after April 1st struggle with parasites more than the ewes that lamb in March. This year I plan to have spring lambing finished by March 15th, then rejoin any open ewes for a fall lambing. I’ll be excited to share how it goes!

Thank you for reading and supporting the work I’m doing!

-the Shepherdess

Are you looking for sheep to purchase? Check out the Shepherdess Breeder Directory!

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September 2023 Farm Update

Hello Friends,

This farm update is a little different… most of it is coming from Australia! I am often asked if the regenerative principles I promote work in areas of compromised rainfall. To get the answer, I visited Australia to film a 3-part series on Raising Sheep on 100% Pasture (in arid climates).

I’m not going to lie: your generous support of my book launch was part of the reason I was able to take this trip… THANK YOU. It is my goal to use the profit in a way that would provide you with more education and resources.

​Australia is the 2nd largest sheep producing country in the world (2nd to China) and also the driest inhabited continent on the face of the earth. The video series is going to be full of management strategies from some of the best farms! (launching November)

We took advantage of a layover in Southern California to film Dylan at Boek House. Dylan raises hundreds of lambs on forage only. Dylan sells his lambs direct to consumer in the Ojai Valley. The thing that amazed me is that Dylan owns no land. He has built relationships with landowners in the valley to grow his lamb operation.

The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture is a book that will guide beginners through everything from raising lambs on pasture, to installing a rotational grazing system, and MORE!

Bellevue Grazing Company was at the top of my list to visit once I landed in Australia. Bellevue is an AWARD WINNING Dorper Stud (“Stud” is a term used to describe a registered breeding stock operation) in Queensland. They raise Dorpers on 100% pasture with no grain and little or no chemical inputs.

Bellevue hosted their annual on-farm Ram sale while I was there and it was incredible to be a part of the event!

Huge thanks to Sophie and Bellevue for hosting me and sharing about the operation!

Macyntire Brooke Lamb was another one of my stops in Australia. Sophie M. raises Australian White Sheep on 100% pasture. Sophie sells all of her lamb direct to consumer as “Fresh Boxed Lamb”. This model is incredibly resilient, allowing her to sell at a premium even as the Australian sheep market takes a hit this year.

And it wouldn’t be an update from Australia without Koalas and Kangaroos, so here you are :).

I love the little joey popping out of the pouch!!

As much as I enjoyed the travel, it was great to return to my farm in the USA. A special thanks to my family for watching the animals while I was gone!

Thank you all! I look forward to seeing you next month,

the Shepherdess

“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Looking to buy sheep to start your own sheep farming journey? Check out the Shepherdess Breeder Directory!:

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August 2023 Farm Update

Hello Friends,

August ushered in a slower pace on pasture and allowed me to launch and ship the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture. The heat was extreme and we had little or no rain, but (remembering last year’s drought) I reserved some pasture in prep for another dry spell. Here is a look at August!

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​I also want to issue a quick apology! Over the past couple of weeks those who ordered sheep supplies have experienced delays in shipping. I typically ship my sheep supplies within 1-2 business days, but with the Book Pre-order, a few of those orders were lost in the influx. My shipping helpers and I have caught up and plan to be back on track with supplies shipments this week.

The Sheep are doing amazingly well in the dry heat. The Dorper is built for drought conditions, so they are having no trouble sailing through the dry spell!

We have had little rain and triple digits for 6 weeks straight. The good rains this spring allowed me to put some pasture in reserve for the dry spell!

My book: The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture has launched and is shipping now!!! I am so grateful for your response to this book.

My incredible family jumped in to help fill your orders!

I really hope this book helps to soften your learning curve and hasten you to a pleasurable, profitable experience with sheep!

I have a NEW SHIRT AVAILABLE! Probably one of my favorites yet :).

I am so grateful for your continued support! I look forward to seeing you again next month :).

-the Shepherdess

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

Are you looking for pasture raised sheep to buy? Check out my pasture based breeder directory!

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July 2023 Farm Update | Raising Sheep in Texas

Hello Friends,

I am excited for August… but I don’t want to bypass a July Farm Update! July started out pretty rough. I lost a few ewes and spent some time doctoring my late-born lambs. Despite a rough start, July ended beautifully. I hope you enjoy a look behind the scenes!

I am adding breeders to the Shepherdess Breeder Directory! If you are shopping for pasture raised sheep, that is the place for you!

I was able to stock up on square bales for the winter. I am grateful for the good rainfall which has made hay more easily accessible this year!

The amazing rainfall is nothing to complain about, but it did lead to an extended parasite season. I typically rely on the dry heat of July and August to end the season. Sadly, I lost a few sheep during the heavy July rains. As the month wore on, a few lambs (above) continued to struggle with anemia. I weaned them and put them on dry feed, but they continued to struggle….until…

Fellow shepherds referred me to a vitamin supplement (drench) called “Redglo”! This is a product for horses. You must assume all liability when you use for sheep. I drenched each lamb with 5 cc’s of Redglo per day for 5 days. Within 2 days I noticed a massive improvement. One little lamb had chronic bottle jaw (fluid buildup as a result of anemia). Within 24 hours of her first dose of Redglo the bottle jaw dissipated! Everyone is on the upswing and I am so happy!!

Pasture moves just before dusk! Such a beautiful time.

The final proof of the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture… my book is heading to print!!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AUGUST 15th!!!!!!! My new book book, The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture is set release at 8am on August 15th! I will be giving away special gifts on launch day, so please watch your email for details as August 15th approaches :).

Tired but grateful as July comes to a close. Sometimes life calls for a double scoop of ice cream in the middle of the day… the sheep made me do it ;).

Thanks for your support! I appreciate all of you so much.

-the Shepherdess

Check out this featured farm from the Shepherdess Breeder Directory:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

Click here to read previous farm updates!

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June 2023 Farm Update | Raising Sheep in Texas

Hello Friends,

June was beautiful… mostly because I met a few of you face to face! Micro-flock pickups happened this month and it was great to see these sheep off to new homes :).

Shepherdess Breeder Directory: an opportunity for buyers and sellers to connect!

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I am launching the Pasture Based Breeder Directory at Shepherdess.com.

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If you have pasture raised sheep to sell, click here. I am waiving the sign-up fees during the month of July and August.

For those shopping for sheep, bookmark shepherdess.com/breeder​s. I will be listing new farms in the directory at the beginning of August.

It was so rewarding to meet with the new flock owners!

Waiting for some new flock owners to arrive!

Lisa and Dave were so great to visit with!!

At the home front we had a few new calves born! This picture tells you what happens when you leave the gate open :).

With all of the flock pickups wrapped up, it is back to grazing as usual!


If you are managing sheep on pasture, June and July are challenging months for parasites. I’ve had several emails asking what dewormers I use. I use Cydectin for Barber’s Pole Worm and Toltrazuril for Coccidia (Coccidia manifests in stunted growth rate, pot bellies and black diarrhea).

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Treatment I use for Barber’s Pole Worm

Treatment I use for Coccidia

While we have tested several natural deworming methods (garlic, DE, Shaklees Basic H) , I have not found any of them to be effective for parasites in my climate.

If a sheep is really overloaded, I will follow up the dewormer with 2 products that help to rebuild the red blood cell count.

This is an oral vitamin supplement that is fed through the mouth using a drenching gun!

​These products are available at Shepherdess.com and shipping is free over $75! Orders at Shepherdess.com really support my work on the farm, thank you so much for shopping there!

I hope this helps you!

-the Shepherdess

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Click here to read previous farm updates

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Farm Update (December and January ’23)

Hello Friends,

It’s time for a farm update… and this one covers December and January! I had someone write, concerned that I did not send December Farm Update. I want to assure you that all is well. I was working non-stop in December to finalize the hardcore educational resources I have been working on all year! Enjoy a behind the scenes look at December and January on the farm (and yes, we had some tiny surprises!).

​We had about 5 surprise lambs! I keep my ram on property year round. Last July he broke out of confinement while I was out of town. Thankfully the weather in December and January was great. These little lambs were able to put some meat on their bones before rough February weather hit!

For those asking about the next availability of livestock: keep your eyes on April! My complete ’23 lamb-crop should be accounted for by then and I will open reservations at ShepherdessDorpers.com.

I have been feeding hay (for the most part) since November. The drought really eliminated most of my winter grazing. However, in December, good rains and warm weather caused the 3 acres of Rye Grass and Clover I planted to sprout! It wasn’t a huge crop, but certainly a nice boost!

A Spring ’22 ewe lamb growing out nicely!

I receive a lot of questions about the various supplies I use in my flock. I took some time to make a video on my “15 essentials”. I hope it helps you!

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Until next time,

-The Shepherdess

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

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November Farm Update

Hello Friends,

November was beautiful. However, we had our first predator attack in 3 years. It was pretty bad, but not as bad as it could have been. Details on the attack below (as a warning, there is a censored image at the bottom of the email).

I have stocked ShopShepherdess.com with Farmer-Made and USA-made gifts for Christmas… Thank you for supporting the shop!

Sheep farming in the USA

We had enough grass to graze through November! The drought really cut back on my stockpile this year. I am currently feeding hay as the winter grasses get a head start.

The lease has been a huge asset this year! It is not fenced for sheep, but the cattle have been making use of it.

The predator attack was pretty nasty. They killed a ewe overnight and left nothing but skin and bones by the morning. This was the first attack in 3.5 years (the flock spends 24/7 on pasture). We have tight fencing and a mama cow that runs K9’s out of the paddock. However, I moved the cows to my grazing lease 10 days before this attack. I also found areas where the dogs had dug under the fence.

“What about a guardian dog?” I had a really bad experience with my first dog (he bit, chased, and acted in a predatory way toward new lambs). I am open to the idea of a mature/proven guardian dog, but will probably not start with a puppy again. Email me if you have leads.

Our gated shelter.

As a result of the attack, the flock will be spending nights in our gated shelter.

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Until next time… Thank you for your support!

-the Shepherdess

“He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
​And gently lead those who are with young.”

​Support the Shepherdess on BuyMe a Coffee!​

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October Recap at Harmony Farms

October at Harmony Farms

Hello friends,

October was golden and I am excited to share a recap with you! After working all summer, TWO HUGE projects came to fruition (more below). I want to thank you for your amazing response to both! It is a huge relief to have them completed and so well received.

(p.s. scroll to the bottom for a new shirt in honor of election month… it may or may not be what you expect. 😉)

The first project I completed was the LAMB FOR LIFE© vi​deo class​ and E-Book Bundle. LAMB FOR LIFE contains everything I wish we knew as beginner sheep farmers! This information took us from too much loss to sheep farming for profit! You can learn more about LAMB FOR LIFE© here.

The second project is the Shepherdess Supply co. As a beginner farmer, I was overwhelmed by the 39,723 choices out there. I wished someone with experience would just point me to the supplies that worked best. The Shepherdess Supply co is the shop I was looking for as a beginner!

Instead of 39,723 options, you will find 32 of the best options (at least “the best” I have found!). These are supplies that I keep on hand at Harmony Farms and I hope they will serve you well.

The new 15 acres is pretty worn out, but I am excited for the chance to work with it!

On the pasture front, I acquired grazing access to 15 acres of neighboring land. I tell the whole story in this video! There are some challenges ahead, but I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.

Unisex S-3XL IN STOCK now!

Okay, so (depending on who you are) it’s not really a political tee… but I like to campaign for real beef when I can😉. Now in stock at ShopShepherdess.com!

That’s all for now! Thank you as always for your support. It means more to me than I can put into this newsletter!

-the Shepherdess

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11

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June Farm Update

Dorper Sheep in Sunflower Patch
Hello Friends!
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June is here! Excitement mingled with challenge would sum up the month. My first Grassfed Beef came back from the processor, lambs are weaned and ready for pickup, drought persists, and some very sad news is at the end of this email.
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Please REGISTER TO JOIN ME for my monthly livestream, next Thursday (June 30th) at 8pm CST!
I am taking a break from the livestream in July, so this is our last opportunity to meet until August!

2022 lambs are weaned and ready for their new homes! I have weaned them onto an alfalfa hay and am so excited at how these guys are looking.

My sister (otherwise known as the Chicken Lady at Harmony Farms) had incredible results with her sunflower planting this year… and it’s not just for looks! Sunflower seeds are a high protein feed source for chickens. She will use the seeds from this small plot to plant a larger plot and ultimately supplement her daily feed ration.

My grassfed beef steers (from this video) came back from processing! It feels surreal to come full circle with these beeves. The meat is all spoken for and receiving rave reviews from the buyers.

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A lot of people ask me about how to use the internet to sell their products. I now have a collection of classes that will guide you step-by-step in how to market your products (any products!) on the internet!

And now for news I don’t want to share: Art (my livestock guardian dog in training) was killed last week. My dad told me he found him beside the highway that runs in front of our farm and brought me his collar. I haven’t really had words for it, but I wanted to tell you guys since you were following his progress.

Thank you so much for following along! Your support is such a gift to me on this journey.
the Shepherdess

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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​Support the Shepherdess via Buy me a Coffee!​

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April Farm Update

Hello Friends,

I have a date for Lamb deposits! April 29th I will be sending a catalog with my 2022 Dorper lambs. You will be able to purchase via credit card and pickup is scheduled for mid-June. Enjoy the farm update below… this month has been BUSY so it’s a big one!

Be sure to join me LIVE on Thursday for my Small Farmer Meetup. I have updated the livestream time to 8pm (CST) throughout the summer!

It has been JAM PACKED here on the farm front with lambing, watering systems, fence installation and more…

I’m in love with all of the new characters on pasture! 👀This little lamb was born with the biggest eyes. I named him Barney Fife… I think the resemblance is pretty strong! 🤣

Lambing ushers in a season of flock maintenance. Keeping ewes and lambs healthy means extra handling. My Lakeland sheep chute and handling system is making an incredible difference this season. Work that took 3 guys and half a day last summer can be finished by ME in just an hour. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

This month I have been laying water lines and installing electric perimeter fence. For the past 2 years portable solar chargers have powered my rotational grazing system (1-2 joule shock output). These small solar chargers worked great great to get me off the ground, but it has always been my plan to install a more powerful (and permanent) system.

ValleyFarmSupply.com has a great selection of solar and AC fence chargers!

With the installation of this permanent hotwire, I am also installing this 12 joule Cyclops AC charger!! I’m excited to share more about both of these projects once I’m done!

I have been soaking up the book Quality Pasture, by Allan Nation. This book has given me so much direction with respect to how to perform pasture improvement. More details on the book can be found here!​

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-the Shepherdess
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“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people…. let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105:1-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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March Farm Update

harmony farms dorper sheep in texas

Hello friends,

It’s March!! Lambing has kicked off and 40% of my ewes have given birth so far. I apologize: if you have emailed me this month, I have been living on pasture or at the lambing shed and have been slow to respond. That said, join me for Small Farmer Virtual Meetup on Thursday and we can talk there! It is a FREE 1 hour livestream where you can chat with me and 70+ farmers across the globe. REGISTER HERE.

​Lambs are dropping! If you saw this video last summer you will know I traveled cross country to bring some new and improved Dorper genetics to the farm. I am super impressed by the quality coming out of my new ram!!

Lamb crop is at about 75% rams and 25% ewes. If the trend continues, I will have plenty of ram lambs available for sale next month! I will send out an email with details on how to place your deposit for 2022 lambs once the final count is in.

Spring grazing is kicking in hard this week! Our growth has been slower than normal due to erratic freezes and a winter drought. But, praise the Lord, we have had about 5″ of precipitation since the beginning of February. It is enough to pull us out of the extreme drought zone and kick start the spring grazing season!

the art and science of grazing by sarah flack books on rotational grazing

Finally, I want to give a shoutout to one of my favorite grazing resources. It is the book Art and Science of Grazing by Sarah Flack. (Available at ShopShepherdess.com)!

The art and Science of Grazing Book Example Page

This book is worth it for the images alone! It shows you all you need to setup a grazing plan for sheep, cows, and goats.

Thank you all for supporting my work on the farm!

I appreciate you very much,

-the Shepherdess

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11

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February Farm Update

Hello Friends,

A mini blizzard, an early lamb, my first E-Book (FREE for you HERE!), and the arrival of my Lakeland Sheep Handling system… it has been a busy month! I want to give a special thanks to everyone who has ordered from ShopShepherdess.com this month. Your orders have made some of this farm expansion possible!

Make sure to join me at theSmall Farmer Livestreamthis Thursday!!

It was nothing compared to 2021’s winter storm, but Texas experienced a mini-blizzard this month. It came and melted within just a few days. The flock spent two nights in the shelter and were back out to pasture!

​We had an early arrival on farm!! A beautiful 11lb ram lamb! The rest of the lambs arrive in March/April, Lordwilling.

Last summer I realized that the absence of a good handling system would really affect my long term goals. My Dorper ewes max out at 150-160lb and the rams are close to 200lb. The size of my sheep and the growth of my flock prevented me from running health maintenance without 2-4 volunteers to help me. Last summer 1/2 of those volunteers told me they were graduating high school and moving on with life. AKA: they didn’t want to wrestle with sheep anymore… haha! It sounds humorous, but there were probably more internal tears than laughter at that announcement.

I had two choices: downsize my flock to a number that I could manage without volunteer help (probably 15 ewes), or find a handling system that would allow me to work 100 sheep by myself. Long story short, the Lord met my needs and last week my sheep handling system arrived from Lakeland Farm and Ranch Direct!!! If you bought books, wallets, shirts, or stickers from ShopShepherdess.com, you played a part in making this handling system happen for me!! THANK YOU!!
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-the Shepherdess 🐑

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:9

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January Farm Update

Hello Friends,

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The year is new, the pasture is quiet, but plans for the coming season are mounting! I think it’s funny how you come out of summer dead-tired, but by January you cannot wait to start all over again :). I hope you enjoy the update and make sure to register and join me on January 27th for a LIVESTREAM FARMER MEETUP!

Dorper Sheep Farming in Texas

We are still enjoying some good grazing! Here in upper East Texas, temps stay pretty mild throughout the winter. Certain grasses will persist through our cold season. Thanks to my sister’s diligent efforts with her portable chicken coops the pasture has been a little greener this winter! (link to a video on chicken-for-fertilizer)

Succulent greens on pasture, including some clover!
American Made Leather Wallet

A slower pace on pasture has allowed me to dust off my leather working tools and create a small collection of leather wallets for sale. I have a few more left here and all proceeds are toward my work here on the farm! CLICK HERE for a video on how these wallets were made.

Shepherdess Leatherwork

Thank you all for your support!

Until next time,

-the Shepherdess

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8