November 7, 2012:  Sad news.  The census numbers are in and with ~90% of the breeders responding, Leicester Longwool numbers in the U.S. continue to decline.  The total number of live animals is 380 ewes and 113 rams.  This means that the Leicester Longwool's status will remain "Critical" as determined by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. 

If you have ever wanted to own a small flock of sheep, or ever wanted to help to save a breed from extinction, now is the time to act.  Leicester Longwools need dedicated shepherds that are committed to helping this breed survive.  It can be hard work but the rewards are so great!  Please contact me, or any breeder near you, if you are considering taking on the challenge.  We can assist you in putting a starter flock together.  For a full list of breeders go to http://www.leicesterlongwool.org/breeders.htm.
 

  Waiting List:  Each year we keep a waiting list for animals that will become available.  The 2012 sheep have all been placed in great new homes in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  If you are interested in lambs, a small starter flock, or wethers or other adults that are suitable to be used in a fiber flock, please contact us: britrit@gmail.com.

ABOUT BUCKEYE VIEW FARM:  Buckeye View Farm is a small farm in rural Southwest Virginia, and is named for the view of nearby Buckeye Mountain.  We raise critically endangered Leicester Longwool sheep, a heritage breed dating back to the 18th century.  Our mission is to contribute to the conservation of the Leicester Longwool breed, and to use responsible farming practices while doing so.  Our sheep are raised primarily on pasture, with supplemental feed given during critical stages such as lambing, lactation, and early lamb growth.   Humane handling of the animals is of paramount importance to us.   

ABOUT ME:  My name is Brit.  For the last 30 years, I've had a successful career in the environmental and agricultural laboratory business, but all my life I wanted to be a farmer.  If I couldn't be a farmer, or marry a farmer, I wanted to live on a farm.  As soon as I was on my own and could choose where I lived, I always chose rural properties.  I loved everything about rural living (except when the well went dry and I had to haul water). 

In 2000, at the ripe old age of 44, I purchased my very own small farm.  I spent the next 8 years reclaiming the fields, landscaping the yard, installing fences, painting the 100 year old house, raising pastured poultry and laying hens, and just generally making improvements to the property.  

In 2008, I purchased my first sheep, a pair of wethers from Colonial Williamsburg.  I wasn't sure that they would work out, or that the fences were secure enough to keep out coyotes, or that I would even like raising sheep. It took all of one day for me to fall totally in love with these sheep.  They quickly learned to recognize me, they had the beautiful, shiny fleece the breed is known for, and they had gentle personalities.  I was hooked.

In 2009, I purchased a starter flock from Hopping Acres.  The sheep adjusted to their new home, the weather cooperated which helped the pasture to grow well, and the fences (along with the llamas) kept the predators at bay.  The ram was turned in with the ewes five months before the desired lambing date, and it became quickly obvious that the ewes were pregnant.  All the sheep did well during an exceptionally snowy winter, and in spring of 2010 the first lambs arrived.  It was very exciting!  Four ewes gave birth to three sets of twins and one set of triplets.  Fortunately, all the ewes were good mothers, and just one of the triplets needed supplementation with a bottle.  The lambs did well all summer.  In the fall, the ram lambs were sold locally for meat, and the ewe lambs were kept to replace some of the older ewes.  All in all, my first year as a shepherd was successful and rewarding.

Since then I've had more successful lambing seasons, learned to deal with different birthing scenarios, and experienced the joys and heartbreaks that come with keeping sheep.  I feel very fortunate to be able to be living my dream.  

ABOUT THE SHEEP:  The Leicester Longwools, or English Leicesters, were developed in the 18th century by the pioneer of selective breeding, Robert Bakewell. They are a large framed, dual-purpose sheep carrying a heavy, long-stapled, lustrous fleece.  More than 50 breeds of sheep today are descended from the Leicester Longwool breed.  You can read about the history of the sheep here:  http://www.leicesterlongwool.org/.