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Velkommen! Welcome!
Here at our farm, Hamingja - Heritage Farm & Nature Preserve in central Alberta, we care for and breed ancient sheep - the American Soay Sheep, descendents of the rare Soay sheep originating in Neolithic Scotland and potentially utilized by Bronze Age farmers as they arrived in what is now known as the UK.
The Soay were seen surviving on a wind swept island far out west of the Hebrides by the Vikings and Norse settlers who passed by on their way to Iceland in the ninth century. They named the island, Sheep Island, or "Seðoy" in Old Norse which was shortened and then became "Soay". Long known by the residents of St. Kilda, the Soay shed their own fleece, are excellent lambers, easy keepers and still retain much of their wild nature. They are super pasture grazers, and their warm dark mahogany and brown tones of fleece are great for felting, and good for knitting and weaving (but it helps if one is familiar with weaving and knitting in order to make their short staple work well). They look and act the same as their forbears and are a delight to have as a heritage presence on the farm plus they are a sheep that will really work for you if pasture clearing or conservation grazing is needed! Although not a large animal, their meat has a unique gamey flavor which holds its own place in gourmet meats. Soay sheep have not existed for very long on the North American Continent, and registered purebred Soay sheep may still be found in some places around the UK. Check out the Soay and Boreray Sheep Society to find out more! All our sheep are fondly named with Celtic or Norse names, as are the Icelandic chickens and other animals including "Eirik the Red, the Pileated Woodpecker!
The other breed we feature is the Icelandic sheep, brought to the island by Norse settlers who were establishing themselves in Iceland. Their fleece is a double coat and needs to be sheared. It makes great rugs, fibre art, dryer balls, and are of course, the source of wool for the well known Icelandic lopapeysa sweaters.
We have many implements (carders, etc.) around the farm for working with and experimenting with the fibres if one wishes. Please contact us!
The other interesting breed we care for are the Icelandic Chickens which are again, very close to the wild chickens genetically, are very intelligent, can fly and are well able to care for themselves out in nature. They lay well over the winter months with small to medium size tasty eggs, and as a landrace, are seen in a variety of colors, and different types of combs.
At Hamingja = Heritage Farm & Nature Preserve, we offer Farm Stays and the opportunity to connect with our heritage livestock and work with their fleece. Please contact Janina to arrange your visit or historical experience.
Here at our farm, Hamingja - Heritage Farm & Nature Preserve in central Alberta, we care for and breed ancient sheep - the American Soay Sheep, descendents of the rare Soay sheep originating in Neolithic Scotland and potentially utilized by Bronze Age farmers as they arrived in what is now known as the UK.
The Soay were seen surviving on a wind swept island far out west of the Hebrides by the Vikings and Norse settlers who passed by on their way to Iceland in the ninth century. They named the island, Sheep Island, or "Seðoy" in Old Norse which was shortened and then became "Soay". Long known by the residents of St. Kilda, the Soay shed their own fleece, are excellent lambers, easy keepers and still retain much of their wild nature. They are super pasture grazers, and their warm dark mahogany and brown tones of fleece are great for felting, and good for knitting and weaving (but it helps if one is familiar with weaving and knitting in order to make their short staple work well). They look and act the same as their forbears and are a delight to have as a heritage presence on the farm plus they are a sheep that will really work for you if pasture clearing or conservation grazing is needed! Although not a large animal, their meat has a unique gamey flavor which holds its own place in gourmet meats. Soay sheep have not existed for very long on the North American Continent, and registered purebred Soay sheep may still be found in some places around the UK. Check out the Soay and Boreray Sheep Society to find out more! All our sheep are fondly named with Celtic or Norse names, as are the Icelandic chickens and other animals including "Eirik the Red, the Pileated Woodpecker!
The other breed we feature is the Icelandic sheep, brought to the island by Norse settlers who were establishing themselves in Iceland. Their fleece is a double coat and needs to be sheared. It makes great rugs, fibre art, dryer balls, and are of course, the source of wool for the well known Icelandic lopapeysa sweaters.
We have many implements (carders, etc.) around the farm for working with and experimenting with the fibres if one wishes. Please contact us!
The other interesting breed we care for are the Icelandic Chickens which are again, very close to the wild chickens genetically, are very intelligent, can fly and are well able to care for themselves out in nature. They lay well over the winter months with small to medium size tasty eggs, and as a landrace, are seen in a variety of colors, and different types of combs.
At Hamingja = Heritage Farm & Nature Preserve, we offer Farm Stays and the opportunity to connect with our heritage livestock and work with their fleece. Please contact Janina to arrange your visit or historical experience.
Soay ewe and lamb
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Four year old Soay ram, McGuire
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B offering oats as a treat to the ewes
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Grimm - one of our Icelandic Roosters
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Micah - Soay Ram
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