Woven Together: How wool changed my life

I never imagined that a love of Manchego cheese, with its rich, nutty, sheep milk flavor and rustic origins, would lead me down a path covered in fleece, surrounded by sheep, and forever change the fabric of my life.

Little did I know, the answer to my peace was grazing peacefully in a field, covered in wool.

The operative word here is WOOL.

I was destined to farm, but raising sheep and wool? I realize now I was destined to be right where I am, yes raising sheep but especially wool. And the WHOLE journey had to happen, from the early love of this life to the realization that I had to get mighty creative to make a go of it. As the saying goes, we almost lost our shirts, and it was from those desperate moments that I found the determination to make something happen. I remember the fear, the sleepless nights, wondering if we'd have to give up our dream. Bills were piling up, and the initial romance of farm life was wearing thin. From that despair, I felt the determination rise in my blood, hot and insistent.

I will never forget the day that my husband said, “We have to do something with all this buildup of wool or I’m going to trash it.” I’d never considered a primary bi-product of sheep is wool. I hadn’t the slightest idea what to do with it, so with each shearing, we’d sell a few fleeces, but most went to the barn to be stored. I tried my hand at a few projects, but without much extra time on my hands, an initial try or two was as far as I got. I declared from day 1 this farm would be sustainable. That was a non-negotiable! That dilemma set in motion my deep relationship with wool and all its wonderful, beautiful, natural qualities. It was like a lightbulb went off.

Suddenly, this "waste" product became a source of endless possibility.

From those early days creating with wool, I began to learn and see what this stuff could accomplish! As I tried to find markets, I learned that wool is naturally antimicrobial and that it holds 30% of its weight in water. I learned that it was being used in insulation and in commercial carpets because it's naturally fire retardant. Why then had we created commercial fabrics that had to be treated with dangerous chemicals because they weren’t fire-resistant? I couldn’t understand how we had gotten so far away from this naturally available fiber. I learned they were using it in grow walls in Europe because the wool offers natural nutrients to plants as the wool breaks down and slow releases the much needed moisture.

OH, Did I mention the wool is 100% biodegradable?

As I’ve continued to spend my time living with and learning about this wonderful NATURAL fiber, wool, I have gained more and more respect for all of its properties. I have continued to pursue its wonderful contributions as a sustainable material that we have so overlooked and need to reconsider.

This journey into wool's potential led me to a movement that perfectly aligned with the values of Stoney Mountain Farm: clean beauty.

Wool Facial Sponges

$10.00

Just last year, we ventured into the “clean beauty” area with our wool facial sponges, which we've named the "Ewe-nique Clean" Facial Sponge. I spent over a year on this one, and although the idea came to me by pure accident (while working on our EVERYTHING SPONGE), I am super excited about this one. “Clean beauty” is an evolving concept, and while we have to be careful because the standards for the concept haven’t been defined yet it is definitely a thing, it’s happening and for our health and the health of our planet we should all get on board and start the journey educating ourselves. I am tickled to death that I have a personal relationship with wool and know our product meets the “clean beauty” standards hands-down. Unlike many conventional facial sponges that rely on synthetic materials and chemical treatments, our "Ewe-nique Clean" Facial Sponge offers a gentle, all-natural alternative. Wool's natural softness and hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for even the most sensitive skin. “Clean beauty” means setting a rigorous standard when it comes to the safety of ingredients and formulations and offers first and foremost a chemical-free product for our skin care regimes, but also embraces sustainable sourcing of materials and sustainable packaging options.

✅ We are happy to meet all those standards.

And, our 100% wool Ewe-nique facial sponge, after many uses can go right in the compost bin where it will biodegrade and feed the soil.

Visit our website to explore our full range of sustainable wool products.

We invite you to join us on our journey towards a more sustainable future…one fleece at a time.

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Seventeen Years of Sheep, Sweat, and Manchego: A Love Story

There is always time in the day for cheese!

Seventeen years ago, I was just a wide-eyed dreamer with a serious Manchego obsession.

Today? I'm a seasoned sheep farmer, with callouses on my hands, a healthy selection of jeans and farm boots and the faint aroma of lanolin permanently embedded in my clothes.

People ask me all the time…How did you get into this?

It all started with a simple craving. That irresistible nutty, buttery flavor, the firm yet creamy texture of Manchego cheese... it was my culinary kryptonite. But the deeper I delved into the world of Manchego and other sheep milk cheeses I realized that the very reason this is truly exceptional stuff was the high butter fat content of sheep’s milk.
Logic, as it often does, went out the window. "I need my own sheep," I declared, much to the amusement (and slight concern) of my friends and family but more importantly my accountant!

Now, 17 years later, this farm has transformed into a haven for these gentle creatures. Rolling green pastures (okay, maybe slightly less rolling), a couple cozy barns that have seen their fair share of cattle, horses, hay and tractors but now sheep and lambing seasons, and the constant, comforting murmur of bleating sheep. The biggest difference is milking and cheese making did not end up being the direction this farm took, (except for my personal benefit). I completed my courses in cheese making but later realized how confining a milking operation would be. Shoot! Farming is all encompassing as it is but a dairy operation is 10x more! So, sheep were still the focus, just not milking and cheese!

It hasn't been all sunshine and idyllic pastoral scenes, mind you. But through it all, the joy of watching my flock grow and graze, the satisfaction of being in nature, daily and the sheer delight of shepherding has made every challenge worthwhile.
From Novice to (Somewhat) Knowledgeable Shepherd:
Over the years, I've learned a thing or two about sheep farming. I can tell you the difference between sheep breeds at a glance, my shearing skills leave a lot to be desired (we hire that out and make it an annual event), and I've learned a heck of a lot about wool.

What's Next?
Well, the dream continues! The more I learn about farming and sheep (mostly sheep wool) the more I’m excited to continue and although I’m not making cheese it was truly my love of Manchego that started me on the path.

So, another reason I will forever be grateful for Manchego!