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February News Letter

2/13/2017

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Shearing is Done!

We managed to accomplish shearing this year for over 70 Ewes. 
The weather was not as cooperative as we would have liked but we made it work. We had one good day with beautiful sunshine but the other 2 were a bit gloomy and cold.
It took 3 days to get every one's hair cut done. 

We will have a nice selection of fine wool fleeces and some stunning luster long wool fleeces both white and natural colored and a few variegated ones too. We did not open our ranch up to the public for shearing this year.  With all the rain and snow it has made our road into the ranch impassable at times.  So we felt that it would be best to have only the family and a couple of the local spinning gals helping this year.  It has been 20 years since we have had a winter like this and I can’t ever remember so much flooding here in the Sierra Valley.
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These ewes were happy to get all of that wool off and are ready to have their babies!
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The driveway into the ranch became flooded over.
We put all of the ewes and other sheep in the barns with dry bedding for a week prior to shearing.  Not only were they we most of the sheep had icicles hanging from their long locks of wool.  Some of the fleeces were still wet when they came off at shearing.  Those fleeces have to be unrolled onto skirting tables where heaters and fans help dry the fleeces.
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This was the first and I hope last year that our ranch experienced some wool rot in our fine wool fleeces (green and peach colored wool) on the sides of the bellies and right between the shoulder blades.  They just never really dried out.  With all the wool on them they were very comfortable sleeping outside under the trees.  They were not seeking the shelter of the barns.
As we get the fleeces dried, skirted, and weighted we will add them to our website www.annagotwool.com so keep checking for that perfect fleece you have been looking for.  ​
PictureThe ewes and Anna enjoying the warm sunshine outside of the barn. The ewes were waiting for some food as well.


Lambs, Lambs, and more Lambs!

We are in full swing with lambing.

We have had 47 Lambs so far and are only half way through lambing.

Every time we turn around we have a new baby on the ground.
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The mothers are doing well with their babies and many babies are itching to have some good weather to get out of the barns and be able to frolic. 

Check out our facebook for more pictures and videos of the lambs playing around. 
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How Do We Know Our Wool's Not Scratchy?​

Here are some of my Rambouillet replacement ewe lambs. 

I sent in 24 wool samples for micron testing at YoCom McColl in Colorado. 

All of the samples but two were less than 22 microns.  They were 22.3 and 22.6 so they were close.  For our ranch I was pleased. 

The Rambouillet’s range in fiber diameter is 18.5 to 24.5  In general a micron count below 22 is fine enough to wear next to the skin and not be scratchy. 

So what is a micron?   A micron (micrometer) is the measurement used to express the diameter of wool fibers. 

Fiber diameter is the most important characteristic of wool in determining its greasy value. 

It is also one of the tools producers use in helping them to select their replacements to keep improving the genetics of their herd.  

​We will have a nice selection of fine wool fleeces this coming year.
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Interweave Yarn Fest: March 30th - April 2nd

​We will be attending the Interweave Yarn Fest in Loveland Colorado this year from March 30th to April 2nd, 2017.

The location is at the Embassy Suites Hotel this year and hotel rooms are available to book with a discount!

There will be plenty of workshops to enjoy and many vendors. We hope to see you visiting us and the others so go ahead and get your passes and come have a good time.
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2017 Fiber Show Schedule

​March 30th - April 2nd: Interweave Yarn Fest in Loveland, Colorado.

June 3rd: Treadles to Threads Spinners Guild in Livermore, California.

June 10th -11th: Wool Market and Fiber Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.

June 23rd - 25th: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, Oregon.

September 4th: Monterey Wool Auction in Monterey, California.

September 15th - 17th: CA National Wool Show in Boonville, California.
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October 7th - 8th: Lambtown in Dixon, California.

October 12th - 15th: Trailing of the Sheep in Sun Vallley, Ketchum, Hailey Idaho.

October 14th - 15th: Mt. Lassen Fiber Guild's Fiber Fusion

November 5th: Southern CA Handweavers in Torrance, California.

We will update our schedule as the shows come up to let you know what is happening for us and the ranch!

2017 Farmer Market Schedule

Tahoe City Farmers Market: May 18th - October 12th.
It will be on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Commons Beach, Tahoe City.

Romano's Farmers Market: June 2nd - September 15th.
It will be on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sierra Valley Farms, 1329 A23, Beckworth, California.

Truckee Community Farmers Market: June 4th - September 25th.
It will be on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Factory Outlet Stores 12047 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, California.
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January News Letter

1/12/2017

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Happy New Year!

We are now in 2017! 

Here at the Ranch we felt like 2016 just flew by us and are excited for a new year and new adventures!

We want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
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Our Newest Addition!

We have added a new guard dog to the ranch.
He is a maremma sheep dog mixed with anatolian shepherd and great pyrenees.
​We just got him about a week ago and we are in love and he is already starting to protect his sheep!
We look forward to watching him grow.
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Weather Woes!

We have had a crazy January winter lately. It went from snowing about 2 feet to a downpour of rain for a day and a half.

Our driveway flooded as well as many other areas of the ranch. It then went back to snowing again. The last time we had weather like this was in 2005.

​ The animals are all looking for dry spaces in the barns and keeping warm by staying together. 
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2017 Fiber Show Schedule

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March 30th - April 2nd: Interweave Yarn Fest in Loveland, Colorado.

June 3rd: Treadles to Threads Spinners Guild in Livermore, California.

June 10th -11th: Wool Market and Fiber Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.

June 23rd - 25th: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugeune, Organ.

September 4th: Monterey Wool Auction in Monterey, California.

September 15th - 17th: CA National Wool Show in Boonville, California.

October 7th - 8th: Lambtown in Dixon, California.

October 12th - 15th: Trailing of the Sheep in Sun Vallley, Ketchum, Hailey Idaho.

October 14th - 15th: Mt. Lassen Fiber Guild's Fiber Fusion

November 5th: Southern CA Handweavers in Torrance, California.

We will update our schedule as the shows come up to let you know what is happening for us and the ranch!

2017 Farmers Market Schedule

Tahoe City Farmers Market: May 18th - October 12th.
It will be on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Commons Beach, Tahoe City.

Romano's Farmers Market: June 2nd - September 15th.
It will be on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sierra Valley Farms, 1329 A23, Beckworth, California.

Truckee Community Farmers Market: June 4th - September 25th.
It will be on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Factory Outlet Stores 12047 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, California.
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Interweave Yarn Fest: March 30th - April 2nd

We will be attending the Interweave Yarn Fest in Loveland Colorado this year from March 30th to April 2nd, 2017.

The location is at the Embassy Suites Hotel this year and hotel rooms are available to book with a discount!

There will be plenty of workshops to enjoy and many vendors. We hope to see you visiting us and the others so go ahead and get your passes and come have a good time.


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Meat Now Being Sold Online

In case you missed our last quick announcement, we are now selling our meat on our website!

It will not be shipped but will be available for pick up at three different locations.

​If you want to see what we currently have, just give a click here. 

Winter Farmers Market 

We are sorry to say that we will no longer be doing the winter farmers markets in calpine.

There are not enough vendors or patrons to keep it going but we say thank you to our loyal customers who still came out in the cold to see us!

Now on Facebook

We are on facebook now.

You can see fun pictures and videos of what is happening on the ranch or send us a message if you would like!
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Update in our Store!

1/1/2017

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Meat being sold Online now!

  We have recently added meat to our online store. We are very excited to announce this and hope that it helps in getting products that are usually only avaible at farmers markets in the summers also available for purchase during the winter.

We will be continously updating the meat in the store to correctly portray what we have available.

We will not be shipping the meat but will be available for certain drop off and pick up locations. One location will be our ranch, another the winter farmers markets in calpine and possibly a third in Truckee. These will all be scheduled meetings and times.

To view our current selection of lamb just visit our online store!

When ordering Lamb, make sure to use our coupon code LAMBPICKUP to have shipping removed on purchases of lamb.

LAMB PRICE LIST
  • Boneless Leg             $12.99 per pound
  • Leg Steaks                 $12.49 per pound
  • Shoulder Roast         $10.49 per pound
  • Boneless Shoulder    $12.49 per pound
  • Shoulder Chops        $12.49 per pound
  • Neck Slices                $7.99   per pound
  • Loin Chops                $19.99 per pound
  • Rib Chops                  $17.99 per pound
  • Rack of Lamb            $18.75 per pound
  • Whole Lamb             $10.00 per pound
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Sunday January 8th, 2016

Farmers market at 151 county road in Calpine,Ca.

Don't forget to come see us at the winter farmers market.

It is the perfect time to pick up your meat! :)
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December 2016 News

12/20/2016

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Winter Farmers Market 

We have picked up a winter farmers market in Calpine, Ca at 131 County Road. We will be selling lamb, blankets, yarn, and soaps.

The next market is on January 8th 2017. 

If you would like to check out the Indoor Winter farmers market website here is the link: www.sierrafreshfood.weebly.com
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Dj is our local reindeer.

Shearing 2017

We are planning our yearly shearing! We have not decided on a date but looking forward towards the end of January.

If you are interested in helping and seeing how the process takes place, please contact us, we are always happy to have some help.

Below is a picture of some of our wooly friends who need a shave.
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The sheep are always happy to have hay.

Facebook

We are excited to announce that we are on facebook now as Anna's Got Wool.

Please check us out and give us a like. 
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Callie and one of our guard dogs.

Merry Christmas

​Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our Ranching family to yours!

We hope that every one enjoys their holidays.
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The two guard dogs staying warm in the cold weather.
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April 2016 Newsletter - Farm News, Fiber Shows & Farmers Markets

4/23/2016

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Rainy and Snowy Season

​​We are so thankful for all the snow and rain that came this season. It started late into the fall and continued through the winter months.

The temperatures were not so cold that we couldn’t bare it and the snow was a welcome sight. We have water running and flooding meadows that have not been watered like that in years.

​Spring is here now in the Sierra Valley. It is such a beautiful emerald green. The wildflowers: yellow meadow buttercups, white sierra valley stars and purple violets are in full bloom.
sheep on the farm

107 Lambs This Year!

​We are finished lambing this year with 107 lambs.

The ewes and lambs are out feeding on the nice sweet tender grasses and clovers.

Our two guardian dogs keep a watchful eye on all of them.

​Protecting them from the predators of the valley or any stray dogs or people.
2016 lamb and teacher and kids

School Groups and Girl Scouts

​We have had several school groups and girlscout troops out to the farm this spring. Paul Douville’s 6th grade class from Downieville got a firsthand experience in sheep and wool production.

They were all so eager to feel the lamb and were amazed at how soft she was. Imelda was lucky enough to have an early lunch.

​They learned how to care for the animals and how to use the fiber each animal gives us from felting to spinning. They said it looks easier than it is. That is to spin the wool into yarn.
School kid holding lamb

The Sheep Are Shorn

​All of our sheep have been shorn and we are finishing up the final skirting of all our fleeces. This year we produced close to 1200 pounds of fiber. Some of the nicest wool yet. Strong, excellent length and lots of luster. We have several spotted sheep black and white fine wool fleeces this year. We will start adding the 2016 fleeces to our web page for purchase. So keep checking for that perfect fleece for your special project whether it is spinning, felting or weaving. If there is a particular fleece that you need let us know and we can help pick the right one for you. You are always welcome to visit the Wool Room on the ranch.
Recently shorn wool

2016 Fiber Show Schedule

Spinning at Ratzlaff Vineyards
Livermore, CA
June 4

Wool Market and Fiber Festival

Estes Park, CO
June 10-12

Blacksheep Gathering
Eugene, OR
June 23-26

Monterey Wool Auction
Monterey, CA
September 5

Southern California Handweavers
Torrance, CA
November 6

CA National Wool Show
Boonville, CA
September 16-18

Lambtown
Dixon, CA
October 1-2

Trailing of the Sheep
Sunvalley, Ketchum, Hailey, ID
October 6-9

Ventura Co Weavers/Spinners
Harvest Sale
Camarillo, CA
​October 22


2016 Farmers Markets

Sierra Valley Romano’s
Friday 10-2

The Truckee Community Farmers Market
​Sunday 10-2

Photos from the Farm!

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15% Off Wool Blankets Through December 31st, 2015

12/7/2015

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Our December sale is on!  Save 15% on our gorgeous handmade wool throw blankets.  Choose from white, black, or patterned.  We have both herringbone and basketweave styles. Use coupon code: BLANKETS15

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July 2015 Newsletter: Summer Thunderstorms | Farmers Markets | Gold Discovery Days

7/15/2015

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July is Half Over!
Here on the ranch as always a lot is happening.  We have weaned this year’s beautiful lamb crop.  I will have 3 new black and white spotted fine wool fleeces.   Let’s hope there are no wool breaks.  We will have to wait until shearing.  It will be very noisy on the ranch for a few days until the ewes and lambs have settled down. Check out our current selection of black and white fleeces.


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Summer Thunderstorms
We have been blessed to have a week of thunderstorms.  So far no fires and a lot of welcomed rain.  It sure has freshened up our range ground for the ewes.  They will be able to maintain themselves nicely until we separate them into their breeding groups in the fall.

We had a little scare with our twelve and a half year old, three legged Australian Kelpie.  He does not like the loud thunder.  One afternoon he followed me down the driveway.  He was picked up by a passing car about 5 miles from the ranch.  They took him to the animal shelter where I was able to pick him up the next day.  He spent the night in quarantine but at least he was safe.  Rockie is quite an inspiration to me being able to overcome his disability and still love working the sheep every time he gets a chance.  I am so thankful to have him back.


Fiber Festivals
Monterey County Wool Auction
2004  Fairgrounds Road
Monterey,  CA
September 7
 
88th Annual California National Wool Show
Mendocino County Fairgrounds
September 18-20 | www.fiberfestival.com
 
Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival
Canby, OR
September 25-27 | www.flockandfiberfestival.com
 
Lambtown
Dixon Fairgrounds
Dixon, CA
October 3-4
 
Trailing of the Sheep Festival
Hailey, ID
October 8-11 | www.trailingofthesheep.org
 
SCHG Fiber Festival
Cultural Arts Center
Torrance, CA 
November 1

Farmers Markets

Romano’s Farmers Market
1329 County Rd A23 Beckwourth
Fridays 10am – 2pm

Truckee Community Farmers Market
12047 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee,CA
Sundays 10am -2pm

Gold Discovery Days

Take a drive up to Johnsville for the Gold Discovery Days and meet Hope, our bottle baby.  

Eureka State Park
310 Johnsville Rd. Blairsden, CA
July 18-19 |10am-3pm
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May 2015 Newsletter: Shearing is Done | 2015 Fiber Festivals

5/4/2015

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We Have a New Website!

View and purchase fleeces and blankets, plus reserve for next year! We've been hard at work this spring, creating a new, beautiful website to sell our fleeces and blankets.  You can even reserve your fleece for 2015 online! 


Shearing is Done

This year we started a little early.  We decided to take advantage of the beautiful warm weather.  We ended up shearing close to 100 sheep and 2 angora goats this year.  We have some very nice fleeces for sale.  They have all been carefully skirted for your hand spinning pleasure.  Whether you spin in the grease, wash it or send it out to be processed into beautiful roving you won’t be disappointed.

Our lambing season is in full swing.  With the exceptional warm February, our lambing percentage is 187%.  Four sets of triplets really helped the average.  Lots of twins and very few singles.  I am very happy with my numbers this year.  We have 84 lambs and there are still 24 ewes left to lamb. 


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Work on the Farm

Now that our lambing season is winding down we have some extra time to work on the barn roofs.  The big winds we had back in February tore the roofs off of two of our barns and collapsed the southern wall of one barn.  We were very fortunate.  We did not lose any livestock.  There will be some long hours, milling boards to replace what was destroyed and rebuilding.

Spring is almost here on the calendar but the outside environment tells me spring has sprung. We took on the project of refurbishing the old Freeman manure spreader.  It has been parked for over 40 years.  Can’t believe the tires still hold air.  Soon we will be adding nutrients back to the fields.  None too soon for the pasture is starting to come out of dormancy and it’s time to over seed and start the pumps.  Unless we get some rain out of the overhead clouds. The ground is so dry, I worry about the feed conditions for the sheep this summer.  The one thing that I have learned over the years about being a rancher is that nothing is set in stone.  Conditions are always changing and you have to learn to adapt.  What worked well one year might not be the best approach for this year.  We take each day as it comes.


Lamb at the Farmers Market


Romano’s Farmers Market | June 5- September 11 |  Fridays 10a - 2p


It is also time to start thinking about the farmers markets for the summer months.  Romano’s Farmers Market will start June 5- September 11.  Fridays 10am-2pm.  We will be there selling our wonderful cuts of lamb.  It is very mild in flavor.  They feed on the native grasses and brush.  We supplement with Sierra Valley alfalfa. We do not give our lambs grain, growth hormones or antibiotics. Along with our meat products we will have our beautiful wool blankets, natural and hand dyed yarns that are made here in the USA.  We will also feature our signature wool felted soap made with sierra valley artesian spring water. 

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Fiber Festivals 2015 


Retzlaff Winery
Spinning with Treadles to Threads Guild
Livermore, CA
June 6, 2015 | 10am-4pm
 
Blacksheep Gathering
Lane Events Center
796 W. 13th Ave.
Eugene, OR
June 19-21
 
Monterey County Wool Auction
Monterey County Fairgrounds
September 7
 
California National Wool Show
Mendocino County Fairgrounds
Boonville, CA
September 11-13

Trailing of the Sheep Festival
Hailey, ID
October 8-11
www.trailingofthesheep.org
 
Fiber Fusion
Patrick Ranch
Durham, CA 
October 10-11
 
Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival
Canby, OR
September 25-27
 
Lambtown
Dixon Fairgrounds
Dixon, CA
October 3-4

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Harvey Farms
6780 Harvey Ranch Road
Calpine, CA 96124
530-994-3617

Located in the Sierra Valley, one of the largest alpine valleys in California's Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

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