Icelandic Sheep
Our Icelandic sheep are truly at the heart of Shirewoods. This heritage, triple-purpose breed offers richly flavoured, mild meat, beautiful dual-coated wool, and the potential for milk — a future we may explore in coming seasons.
Icelandics are naturally parasite-resistant, thrive on sparse forage, and lamb with ease, making them ideal for regenerative, low-input systems like ours. Their calm temperament, strong mothering instincts, and adaptability also make them perfect for both first-time shepherds and established farms.
We value this breed for its resilience, self-sufficiency, and beauty. Our closed flock is carefully managed with an emphasis on hardy genetics, gentle disposition, and structural soundness — reflecting our long-term commitment to sustainability and land-based living.
Ossabaw Island Hogs
We raise Ossabaw Island hogs because they’re one of the rarest and most genetically distinct heritage breeds left — descended from pigs brought to North America in the 1500s and isolated on Ossabaw Island, Georgia. Over centuries, they developed incredible hardiness and adaptability, making them perfect for sustainable, pasture-based farming.
Unlike modern commercial breeds, Ossabaws are slow-growing, forage well, and have deep-flavoured, marbled meat that chefs and ethical meat buyers rave about. Their smaller frame makes them easier to manage on a small farm, and their thriftiness (efficient feed-to-weight gain ratio) allows us to feed them on pasture, seasonal scraps, vegetables, and fruit from the LOOP farmers program — rather than grain-heavy commercial diets.
We chose them for their balance of low-input needs and high-value, old-world meat quality, but also because conserving rare breeds matters to us — we see their preservation as a form of agricultural activism (Ossabaws are listed as “Critical” on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.)
Goats
Goats are adaptable and resilient animals, thriving in various climates and environments. Renowned for their milk, meat, and fiber, they can forage on a wide range of vegetation, including challenging terrains. Their inquisitive and friendly demeanour makes them popular on farms, both large and small. Additionally, goats are excellent for managing brush and overgrowth, adding to their versatility and utility in agricultural settings.
