The Livestock Conservancy created the Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em Initiative (SE2SE), thanks to funding provided by the Manton Foundation. This program recognizes fiber artists who use wool from breeds on their Conservation Priority List while connecting shepherds of heritage breeds with customers.
The Livestock Conservancy has long said that the way to save endangered breeds of livestock is to give them a job. In the case of wool sheep, we need to start using their wool again. Because of marketing challenges, some shepherds discard or compost the wool after their annual shearing rather than cleaning it and selling it. This program encourages fiber artists to try using rare wools, and helps shepherds learn how to prepare their wool for sale and how to reach potential customers, thereby making it more profitable to raise heritage breeds.
Wool is processed here at Shepherd Industries in Nome, ND
The Livestock Conservancy has long said that the way to save endangered breeds of livestock is to give them a job. In the case of wool sheep, we need to start using their wool again. Because of marketing challenges, some shepherds discard or compost the wool after their annual shearing rather than cleaning it and selling it. This program encourages fiber artists to try using rare wools, and helps shepherds learn how to prepare their wool for sale and how to reach potential customers, thereby making it more profitable to raise heritage breeds.
