by Raising Sheep on Pasture EUROPE:
In a world that seems to be reeling with turmoil and endless waves of change, I left my farm in Northeast Texas to film shepherds carrying on in one of the most ancient and unchanging trades known to mankind.
From the heights of the French Alps to the island of the Mediterranean, I’m thrilled to bring you: Raising Sheep on Pasture: EUROPE.
Raising sheep on Pasture Europe is a series of three full-length documentaries on Pastoral Shepherding.
Why Film Sheep in Europe?
Pastoral Shepherding has remained fundamentally unchanged since the beginning of time — not because of a desire to abide in the past, but as a testament to the fact that, often, the old ways are the enduring ways.
Whether through the ancient practice of Alpine transhumance or the multigenerational craft of natural cheesemaking, these videos showcase shepherds who are flourishing as the managing member of the timeless triad of land, sheep, and shepherd.
The video in today’s post is a complete overview of the trip, as well as a candid look at what it took to traverse six countries in 17 days to bring back this footage.
The full length documentaries from each country will be available for free to members of my email newsletter community. Join that community below:
This trip was made possible through the support of my book, The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture. Written for absolute beginners with 30 acres or less. This book is available exclusively available at Shepherdess.com and is not on Amazon.
Filming in the French Alps
Our first destination was Chambéry, nestled in the French Alps. This region, historically tied to both France and Italy, boasts breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.
Here, I filmed a day in the life of Alpine shepherd Lennart Classen, who manages “Friendly Flock,” a regenerative grazing business with 900 sheep and goats. Lennart shared insights on rotational grazing, overcoming challenges in the Alps, and his journey into agriculture without prior experience.
The full documentary, Raising Sheep on Pasture: France, premieres Friday, November 29th.
Filming the Transhumance in Switzerland
Next, we drove to Switzerland to document Alpine transhumance—the seasonal migration of livestock between high and low pastures. This ancient practice, guided by shepherds, enriches the land and produces dairy with superior nutritional profiles.
Raising Sheep Switzerland features the work of the Swiss Shepherdess in Crans Montana, who shares why she and her husband choose traditional transhumance over modern methods like trucking. This documentary, Raising Sheep on Pasture: Switzerland, premieres Monday, December 9th.
Our time in Switzerland also included a quick detour to Nuremberg, Germany, to explore the historical site of the Nuremberg Trials. While not related to shepherding, this stop offered profound insights into justice and government accountability, themes relevant to agriculture today.
Sardinia: The Final Destination
Our last filming location was the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, home to 1.5 million residents and 3.7 million sheep. Sardinia’s rugged landscape and unique forage produce the famous Pecorino cheese, a staple of Italian cuisine.
I had the privilege of learning traditional cheesemaking from Gianni Mele, one of Sardinia’s most renowned dairy shepherds. Gianni shared his process for crafting artisanal cheese, his pasture management strategies, and how he built a direct market for his premium products.
The final documentary, Raising Sheep on Pasture: Italy, premieres Thursday, December 19th.
A Durable Trade
When I first launched into sheep farming, I read Durable Trades, a book which ranked shepherding as #1 among 63 of History’s most long-standing professions. Trades that have withstood the test of time, while thousands of others have fallen to the wayside amidst waves of industrial and technological revolution.
As a new shepherd, and as someone wanting to build a deeper level of personal and economic stability into my adult life, the facts outlayed in that book encouraged me in my decision to commit to a small flock.
…And on this trip through Europe I saw with my own eyes that shepherding, in its pastoral context, has indeed remained both relevant and fundamentally unchanged since the dawn of time.
Its simplicity is its stability: pasture, sheep, and a shepherd.
And that simplicity breeds an inherent durability.
As I returned to my own farm in Texas, I did so with a new appreciation and commitment to a trade that I have seen with my own eyes to be truly Durable.
Which stop are you looking forward to watching the most? Let me know in the comments!
-the Shepherdess
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
love the shepherdess and all that u bring. go to when my son is sitting with me. when am ready for sheep the shepherdess will lead the way.