Navajo-Churro Sheep

Heritage Breed • Meadow Keepers

Person feeding a black sheep lamb among other sheep outside in a field on a sunny day.

The flock at Casa Portal has been on this land for over 20 years. It was originally built by shepherds committed to preserving the breed in the Northeast, beginning with a Navajo-Churro ram brought from the West. Over time, they carefully developed and maintained multiple lines, and the flock I now manage is part of that ongoing stewardship. It remains one of a relatively small number of Navajo-Churro flocks in this region.

The Flock

Read More about Farming, Sheep, and the origin of the flock on Modern Farmer.

Meet the Flock

each sheep has a name, a face, and a story.

Two sheep with curly wool standing on grass in front of green bushes.

Donna – Our gentle leader, she’s been teaching the flock our land for many years.

Close-up of a black-faced sheep with curly brown and black wool, surrounded by other sheep with white, cream, and brown wool, in a grassy field.

Montana – Navajo ewe with spiral horns, who is very spirited.

A group of sheep standing on grass, with one sheep in the foreground looking at the camera.

Dot – Donna’s daughter. She loves to eat.

our wool products

Multiple skeins of yarn in black, cream, gray, and brown colors displayed on a wooden surface.

Yarn

coming soon
A fluffy dog with curly cream and black fur lying in a wicker basket on a wooden floor near a window.

sheepskin

coming soon
A black rectangular rug with alternating light and dark stripes, placed on a wooden floor.

woven yoga rugs

coming soon

This year’s selection will include rams and ewes for starter flocks. selection decisions are still being made.

please reach out — we are happy to share details once pairings are finalized.

Available Rams & Ewes

Contact Us

The Navajo-Churro is the oldest heritage sheep breed in North America, introduced in the 16th century by Spanish settlers and later adopted, refined, and cherished by the Navajo people.

About the Breed

Distinctive Wool – A double-coated fleece prized by weavers and fiber artists for strength, variety, and natural colors.

Hardiness & Independent– Adaptable to rugged climates, drought-resistant, and excellent foragers.

Our Philosophy

At Casa Portal, the sheep aren’t separate from the system. There’s fiber, food, and materials that come from them, all feeding back into the farm. We grow food, keep bees, and think of everything as connected rather than separate parts. When you stop separating animals, soil, food, and people, you start to see how everything works together.