Helder ~ Herdwyck Farm

Helder~Herdwyck Farm is a diversified Holistically managed small family farm practicing regenerative agriculture. We use species diversity in our planned rotational grazing to eradicate invasive species, heal the land by improving our soil and thereby humanely producing the healthiest food for you. We are the proud owners of the rare Herdwick bred sheep - the 2nd flock in the US and the first one East of the Rockies. Our sheep are excellent foragers, able to thrive on grass and browse. They are very hardy, being naturally disease and parasite resistant. They are a small, sustainable and manageable in size. They produce an excellent lean meat with an exceptionally mild, unique flavor prized by Queen Elizabeth. Once raised and shown by Beatrix Potter, they are known as the "smiling sheep". Their wool is a "dual" coat, consisting of actually 4 fibers - wool, guard hair, kemp and a heterotypic fiber. This fleece enables them to survive winters at 3,000 feet in their native Lake District area in Cumbria, UK. We produce a yarn available nowhere else in the world, perfect for weaving, hooking or punching rugs, or for exceptionally warm outerwear. We also produce fresh, pastured eggs, stew hens, take pre-orders for broilers and delicious heritage pork. Only the best, from Helder~Herdwyck Farm, so, look for the Herdwyck label! We carry fiber art tools and supplies, and homemade soaps. Our farm is open by hours shown and/or appointment for purchases and private farm tours. We are open annually as part of the Discover the Hilltowns: Farms and Artisans Tour each September. Our porducts are available June through October at the Voorheesville Farmer's Market. Our fiber and fiber arts supplies are offered annually at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrouds the 3rd weekend of October.