McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch

McFarland Creek Lamb Ranch is a small sheep ranch in the beautiful Methow Valley in North Central Washington State. We raise Romney and Cormo sheep for both fiber and meat. Our philosophy is to use the least invasive and most humane methods possible. Our flock is rotated through several fenced pastures, which are irrigated with gravity fed water from the creek. In the winter, the flock feeds on alfalfa hay that is grown by our neighbors (not certified organic, but no chemicals are used). We hand pull weeds in order to avoid using herbicides, and use pasture rotation to control parasites and allow the grass to have periods of restoration throughout the growing season. We do not routinely administer any drugs to our sheep, although on the rare occasion where there is a serious wound, we will use penicillin as recommended by the vet. We live on the edge of wilderness, so predators are an issue. We are committed to a live and let live philosophy, so have invested in secure fencing and a team of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) to protect the flock. We sell meat direct market to our customers, who can purchase a whole or half lamb. We can deliver to the greater Seattle area on request, or the customers can pick up locally. We wash our wool by hand, and dye it with natural dyes, some of which are grown on the ranch, and some purchased from a reputable Fair Trade supplier. It is then sent out for spinning at a small family run mill (Spinderellas) to be made into roving and yarn. Each fleece is processed separately, so you always know which sheep your yarn came from.