ISBONA Winter 2009 Publication

"The Third Purpose"

“Per cent-anni!” you shout to the rapturous newlyweds as you lift your sparkling glass, joining in the traditional Italian wedding toast that wishes them “a hundred years”.

Settling comfortably back into your chair, the servers begin to bring out the first of fourteen courses, each a culinary masterpiece. This day and this meal have been highly anticipated. Everyone, including you, is festive and exuberant.

You’re in Italy, the home of Romeo and Juliet, fiery romance, exquisite food, and some of the world’s finest dining.

Before the night is old, another beautifully arranged plate is placed on the linen clad table in front of you. Crunching into the cannulicchi, you recognize that inside the delicately fried dough lies the real jewel. Rich and soft, a ricotta cheese subtly sweetened with a hint of cinnamon and orange. It has a slender sweetness and a slight tang, an absolutely divine delight. Let’s not forget to mention that this peerless treat is sheep cheese!

Okay, you might not ever actually be invited to a wedding in Sicily, or dine in an aristocratic home rented simply for the happy occasion. Then again who knows, maybe you have better connections then I do, and you will!

In any case, look out your window, count your sheep, and then count yourself privileged. You have unlimited potential income walking around outside—Dairy sheep!

The fact that Icelandic Sheep are a triple purpose breed became one of the many deciding factors that caused us to finally choose this breed above all others. To us, triple purpose meant one job, three potential paychecks. Okay, I’ll add the disclaimer that workload may vary, even considerably, for hopefully 200 or more days out of the year.

For centuries, sheep milk and sheep cheese has been sought after and enjoyed all around the world. It has served purposes from survival to luxuriously pampering oneself. It has met health needs for other livestock and humans alike.

In future articles, we’ll explore the potential, the needs, and the possibilities of sheep dairying. There is truly nothing new under the sun, and this is not a wheel that needs to be reinvented. However, we’ll look at what it means for us today, as homesteaders and entrepreneurs in a very commercially minded world.

As you glean through the information presented in the Dairy articles, consider whether sheep dairying is a viable option for you and your family. As breeders, the more we can enthusiastically help each other by sharing information and experience, the more likely that we will all be capable of making wise and profitable decisions.

Whether your goal is simply to reach a higher level of self-sustenance, or to see every avenue for additional farm income utilized, I hope that the contributions put forth in the Dairy Section of this newsletter will equip you to reach your full potential.

Regarding workloads, I have some good news that I can’t resist sharing. It only takes two hands to milk a ewe! That is of course unless you want to use equipment. I heard a lady once say that if God had wanted her to milk a cow, He’d have given her four hands.

So here is a toast to all of you, to help your hard-earned farms and invaluable Icelandic Sheep continue to reach ALL of their potential and purpose for many years to come. Per cent-anni!