The Rising Meadow Flocks
Corriedale-
This dual-purpose breed offers a fleece that is prized by
handspinners. The crossing of the Merino and Lincoln breeds
created a medium fine fiber that is soft yet strong and lustrous
with good length. These sheep are medium in size, have gentle
dispositions, good mothering instincts, and produce nice
fast-growing lambs. Our Corriedale flock contains both white and
natural-colored sheep.
Natural-Colored-
Our sheep range in shades from black to gray with fleeces
varying from fine to a long open "Lincoln-like" staple.
Moorit-
Our Corriedale flock has been greatly enhanced by the addition
of truly brown sheep. The term Moorit comes from the Icelandic
"moorut" meaning as red as the moors". The elusive
Moorit brown is recessive to the black and is fairly rare. The
brown pigment is "weaker" than the black so very dark
browns are more rare than the truly black sheep. A Moorit sheep
carries brown wool with brown hair on the face and legs, brown
skin and mucous membranes of the mouth. By breeding a Moorit ram
to Moorit ewes, Moorit lambs are produced. A Moorit is not a
breed of sheep but a sheep whose color is genetically and
physically brown. Moorits have fleece colors most commonly
referred to as fawn, cinnamon, and chocolate. Formerly the
"Decadent Chocolates", our Moorit flock allows us to
offer breeding stock and luxuriously soft fleeces in
extraordinary colors that are a joy for the handspinner. Several
of our white and natural-colored Corriedales are Moorit
"carriers" 
which
means that when bred to a full Moorit 50% of their offspring will
be Moorit.
Polled Dorset-
This heavily- muscled breed with it's "downy" fleece
is the mainstay of our commercial flock. Not only is the meat
superior, the fleece is used to make particularly fine blankets,
yarn, mattress pads and comforter batts. These gentle sheep
easily produce twins. They are wonderful mothers and can be bred
out of season. They tend to have an ample supply of milk, thus were some of the first dairy sheep in this country.
Navajo-Churro-
This rare American breed of sheep is known for the
double-layered fleece used by the Navajo Indians in weaving their
beautiful rugs.
A somewhat smaller size sheep, the Navajo-Churro comes in many
colors or combinations of colors. Males and females frequently
have horns (two or sometimes four). Their strong mothering
instinct and ability to live on fairly poor pasture makes this
breed true survivors. Although too small to be thought of as a
commercial breed, the Navajo-Churro meat is of such exceptional
quality and taste that it that it earned them a place on the Slow
Foods Ark of Taste.
CVM Romeldale-
This rarest of breeds is unique to the United States. Out of the Romeldale breed (white and natural-colored) came the CVM (California Variegated Mutant) with its classic badger pattern. Now referred to as a single breed, the CVM Romeldale fleece is very fine in a range of natural colors, a handspinners dream.They are good mothers, medium in size and long-lived.
Rising Meadow Farm Offers:
Breeding
Stock-
Each year we offer breeding stock for sale from each of our
breed flocks. Most of these animals can be registered. Prices
will vary by breed, age and registration.
Sheep Products-
All of the products we sell are available at THE FARM STORE. It is open during all of the events at the farm. For other times we suggest you call ahead.
Lamb-
Raised naturally on pasture, our
lambs are bred to be lean. They are raised entirely without
growth hormones and antibiotics. Rising Meadow lambs are
processed between five and eleven months of age which contributes
to a much more delicate flavor in the meat. We offer whole lambs (to be packaged to your specification) and
individual cuts. Lamb is available from our booth at the Piedmont
Triad Farmer's Market on Saturdays. It is also available at our farm. Our usual season for meat is from August to April.
Fleeces-
Once a year all of our sheep are sheared. (check our Special Events
page.) Handspinners are particularly invited to the farm on "Shearing
Day". Help is always welcome in skirting fleeces not to
mention being able to select a favorite fleece right off the
sheep. We offer some wonderful handspinning fleeces from white, Moorit
and natural-colored Corriedales, CVM Romeldale,
and Navajo-Churro sheep. For people who can't be
here on Shearing Day we're happy to reserve a particular fleece
or send a sample.
Prices - $5-$15 per lb.
Roving-
For Handspinners or Felters who don't want to work with the raw wool we
offer roving. It is available in white and natural-colored
Corriedale, several shades of Moorit, and Navajo-Churro.
Yarn-
Yarn
from Rising Meadow Farm is produced naturally. There are no
harsh chemicals or additives used during the washing or spinning
process. Chemicals used in scouring wool can cause an itchy or
uncomfortable feeling when working with the wool or wearing it.
Some of the natural "grease" or lanolin remains in our
yarn causing water to be repelled away from the skin and
clothing-just the way it works in nature.
Our Corriedale yarn,
made only from the wool of our sheep, is available in Fingering weight, Sport weight, and Worsted weight. We carry it, depending on weight, in three natural
colors-creamy white, "Moorit" (a medium taupe),
and a very dark brown. We offer hand-dyed colors as well in many
solid shades and rainbow combinations. Most of our Corriedale yarn is in 4 oz skeins, varying from 230-400 yds per skein. The Merino background in
the Corriedale produces a very soft yarn. It is an excellent
choice for sweaters, hats, mittens, socks, scarves and afghans.
Our newest yarn offering is MEADOWSPUN, a blend of 70% wool and 30% mohair from our sheep and goats.
It is a two ply yarn with approximately 250 yds on a 4 oz skein.
We have it in natural white and several hand-dyed colors.
Please contact us for current price information.
Sheepskins-
From time to time we send skins from Corriedale and
Navajo-Churro sheep off to be tanned. They have long luxurious
fibers and make beautiful throw rugs and chair covers, as well as being used in cribs, and seat covers for cars, motorcycles and wheelchairs. The skins may be white or natural-colored and are washable. Please contact us
for availability and price.
