We know this sheep!
Special congratulations to Battenkill Fibers partner Joanne Maki, of Georgia Rustic Wools in Smithonia, GA for her feature on the cover and within the pages of the American Sheep Association’s Sheep News magazine’s July 2023 issue!
Joanne raises Gulf Coast Native sheep, a breed that has long been considered a “meat” sheep but that Joanne is determined to create beautiful wool breeding lines for—and she is succeeding! At this last Maryland Sheep & Wool, Joanne won third in the White Fine Wool class: a huge accomplishment for any fiber farmer.
Joanne’s story is really fascinating and should serve as inspiration for any farmer seeking to think outside the box when selecting the right sheep breed to raise. You can read the full issue online, including the article about Georgia Rustic Wools, on the ASI website:
