Sheep Must-Read List (2020 Edition)

Last year about this time, I wrote a post about my favorite sheepy books and thought I would add a couple additional ones to that list that I plan to read this year.

What is on your flock/farm/fiber reading list for this year?

Vanishing Fleece: Adventures in American Wool- Clara Parkes

This book has been on my reading list since it first came out and my amazing sister got it for me for Christmas, not even knowing that I wanted it! It has been all over social media in the fiber world, as Clara Parkes does an amazing job with telling the narrative of fiber. The author purchases a 600+ lb bale of wool and follows the process as it is transformed into yarn and documents the people and process along the way. I'm very excited to dig into this one!

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​Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy- Rebecca Burgess

This book has been on my to-read list as well and was gifted to me by MaryJeanne of Battenkill Fibers over the holidays. Just like Clara Parkes, Rebecca Burgess is a bit of a celebrity in the fiber world. She is the brains of the original fibershed concept and movement in Northern California where has been working to connect ranchers, farmers, and artisans with the end user to encourage wearing clothing made from fiber grown, woven and sewn in her area.

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Adventures of the Yorkshire Shepherdess- Amanda Owen

I mentioned Amanda's books last year and this one is her newest that came out in 2019. Her books chronicle her and her family's lives managing a flock of sheep in the remote hill country of England. They are full of tales that are reminiscent of James Herriot, only more remote!  I have enjoyed her writing and look forward to adding this one to my collection.

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Managing Your Ewe and Her Lambs- Laura Lawson

If you follow me on social media, you know I talk about these books A LOT and actually didn't add them to my reading list last year. But they are worth a mention. This one and the book below have been a staple for a few years. Whenever we have a problem, especially during lambing, these are the books I reference. The book is divided between types of issues and each specific topic has a description of symptoms, causes and treatment which I find very helpful for diagnosis.

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Lamb Problems- Laura Lawson

The companion book to the one above, this book focuses specifically on problems with lambs. It is set up similar to the first book with symptoms, causes and treatment and also features a nice flowchart in the back of the book for help with diagnosis. The chart was very helpful in diagnosing a lamb with polio last year. These books are gold!

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