Turkey Red Journal
Long Ridge Farm
by Nancy Zeller
Long Ridge Farm is nestled in the saddle of a ridge that spans the length of two towns. It is located in the Connecticut River Valley and the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. To our East is Mount Monadnock, the most-climbed mountain in North America. To our West, the Connecticut River runs from the Canadian border to the Atlantic. Our region is blessed with a magnificent four-season environment, with easy access to the wilds and the city alike.
The "Girls"
Photograph Copyright by Nancy Zeller
My husband and I own and manage a 130 acre farm in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. We manage the land for early succession wildlife habitat. We raise CVM/Romeldale sheep, the most endangered breed of sheep in North America today. Through careful genetics, we produce both fine breeding stock to sell and grow the best fiber this breed can offer. Our commitment is to ensure that their genetic line continues, hopefully bringing their status off the endangered list.
Our fleeces have won top-place ribbons in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The raw fleeces sell out by May each year, with a reserve list for the following spring. CVM/Romeldale fiber is fine wool with the micron count ranging from 19 to 25, and is a joy both to spin and knit. The crimp of the fiber is very fine in most of our fleeces, with a moderate grease weight. The colors range from white to various shades of grays, browns and black, and the staple length is 3-5 inches.
Long Ridge Farm is also a distributor of the full line of Earthues natural dyes for most of the New England states. We offer natural dyeing workshops at the farm and around New England. Earthues dyes are environmentally sound, with no harsh chemicals to dispose of. Additionally, natural dyes are kinder to the fiber we work so hard to perfect every year. Earthues dyes are procured from growers around the globe, from an indigo farm to a cochineal-gathering village in the Andes. By supporting direct purchase with the growers, Earthues helps to insure global sustainability. Natural dyes are imbued with history: they are ancient dyes and they have proven themselves over centuries of use. They connect us with artisans of the past. We believe that Earthues has created the best natural dye products visually, environmentally and naturally! You may purchase Earthues dyes and kits from our online store at www.longridgefarm.com.
As a sheep and wool producer, natural dyer and enthusiast, I am committed to the fiber industry. It is my personal passion. I am a member of The River Spinners in Brattleboro, Vermont, the Northeast Handspinners Guild, the American Livestock Breed Conservancy, the American Romeldale CVM Registry, the National CVM Conservancy and the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Growers Association.
Nancy and Jack Zeller
Long Ridge Farm
Westmoreland, NH 03467
603-313-8393
Website: www.longridgefarm.com