Ever wondered how sheep's wool turns into a fine woolen sweater or a warm pair of slippers? Or how fresh goat milk becomes cheese? The goats and sheep at Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Education Center are quite a group of producers!

Sheep baby on our farm in Upstate New York

The commercial flock of about 30 Dorset - Finn - Merino sheep have lambs in January, February and early summer. Lambs are white, black, or spotted. Most ewes are shorn before winter lambing, or in early summer before going out to pasture. Our wool is spun into yarn both by hand and at a commercial mill. This yarn and wool stuffed pillows and batts for quilts are for sale in our gift shop. Sheep skin slippers, hats and rugs are also available.

Natural lamb (no hormones or additives) ready for your freezer, is sold year round.

Breeding stock is also available. Guidance to new shepherds is gladly provided!

We have 4 breeds of goats: French Alpines: mostly black and white, tall and rather bold, excellent mothers. La Manchas: brown or white, small boned, with tiny ears, delightfully friendly dispositions. Angoras: white, with fine mohair wool.

Boers: with a brown head and a white body. Does are milked twice a day, the milk fed to young stock and/or made into cheese or yogurt.

If you have ever had a fantasy about being a shepherd or a cheese maker, here is your chance. Visitors in the farm guest house are welcome to try their hand at milking, or lend a hand at feeding time. Lessons are available to individuals and groups. Learn more about our educational services.