Boss Mare Shearing

Westward expansion was not for the cowboys... It was actually the shepherds. And seriously Sheep were the most important commodity in colonial times.

America 🇺🇸 is celebrating 250 years of history. Sheep helped build this nation, providing wool for clothing, blankets for soldiers, and food for families. Yet today, the American sheep flock is smaller than it has been in over 150 years. Maybe it's time we remember the animals that helped clothe and feed a growing nation.

I did some digging to find history on the size of the American sheep flock over the years. Unfortunately the data doesn't go back to the founding of our country, but its safe to say there were still a pile of sheep back in 1776. Especially considering that sheep were the first animals brought to the "New World" around 1619.

1867: Around 45 million sheep (first national estimates)
Around 1900: Over 60 million sheep, the highest on record.
1942: About 56 million, boosted by the wartime demand for wool for uniforms and blankets.
1955: Around 32 million as synthetic fibers began replacing wool.
1970: Around 18 million.
1990: About 11 million.
2000: Around 7 million.
Today: Roughly 5 million head, less than one-twelfth of the peak.

As we celebrate our freedom let's not forget the humble sheep that helped build this nation. God bless America, God bless our farmers, and God bless our sheep.

I hope yinz have a great Independence Day weekend. I plan on spending this weekend continuing to hide from this oppressive heat while reading what I think is a very appropriate book and knitting. Happy 250th birthday America 🇺🇸

While traveling the usual 8,000-10,000 miles I cover annually during my season, I get to experience the wonders of small towns. Sometimes I also get to see the most hysterical real company sign of all time I proceed to hold up traffic at the stop sign while I take a picture of it.

Early morning headed to ohio for Sew4Service's Fiber Festival at the Cuyahoga County Public Library - Warrensville Hts. Branch. Shearing demos at 10, Wool Facts and Fancies at 12:15 and More than Merino at 2:30! Free to attend and classes are free as well!