rawmilkandrubberboots

This morning at about 4am I was on my way to work (as usual) only to find my vehicle covered in snow.  This being the first storm of the year I was ill-prepared, especially so early in the morning, but I managed to grab my wool mitts and hat.  As I stood there I was thankful for my warm clothes.

Sheep farming is sort of an opportunistic venture where the whole animal can be used for one purpose or another: meat (mutton or lamb), wool, leather, even milk.  However it is becoming harder for some producers to make a living off their products because of imports from New Zealand.  It’s hard to compete with a country that produces and exports 50% of the world’s lamb and mutton production.

Back on this side of the International Date Line, sheep producers have come up with new income ventures to supplement their farm such are agri-tourism, handcrafted wool products, and of course the meat production.

It is very seldom that I wear wool clothes that weren’t handcrafted (often by people I know) so I would like to think I am helping to support these cottage industries in a small way.  I also enjoy a meal of lamb on occasion, but sadly it is a rare treat because of the high price.

So this winter, if you are lucky enough to live in sub-zero climates, try a pair of homemade local wool mittens and hat for size!

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