By Les O'Dell For many wool producers and artisans, the gap between raw fleece and finished products can be intimidating. Not only are there multiple steps involved in transforming recently shorn wool into yarn and other ready-to-use products, but the process can also be labor-intensive and time-consuming. That is where fiber mills come in. “Fiber ... Read more

Ashley Keatley, an experienced agricultural educator, has joined the staff of The Livestock Conservancy as education and outreach coordinator. With more than 15 years of teaching experience, she holds degrees from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, State University of New York - Schenectady and Greensboro College. A former agriculture agent with Cornell ... Read more

  We’re already gearing up for the holiday season and invite you to be part of our 2026 Heritage Breed Gift Guide! The Gift Guide – a free outreach effort of The Livestock Conservancy – is designed to showcase your heritage breed products throughout the upcoming gift-giving season through promotion on our social media channels, ... Read more

A heritage draft horse breed will be in the spotlight at the Iowa State Fair this summer. This August, the Iowa State Fair will spotlight one of the state’s most unique and historic treasures: The American Cream draft horse, one of the only draft breeds developed in the United States, will be showcased during the ... Read more

Heritage Cattle in American History: Sailing Into the Future By Marston White What do sailing ships and the promise of a new life have in common with The Livestock Conservancy’s mission? Everything. Many of the breeds on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List originated hundreds of years ago, arriving here by sailing ships to provide ... Read more

PITTSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – Along with partners around the globe and thousands of conservationists, farmers, ranchers, shepherds and breeders, The Livestock Conservancy begins observation of International Heritage Breeds Week, Sunday, May 17. During the annual celebration, the organization highlights the critically important role rare breeds of livestock and poultry play in protecting agricultural biodiversity, strengthening food security and preserving genetic diversity .  Among its activities, the Pittsboro, North Carolina-based not-for-profit organization is responsible for the annual ... Read more

by D. Phillip Sponenberg, D.V.M., Ph.D. and Allison Kincaid Celebrating the Next Generation in Heritage Breed Conservation This month marks International Heritage Breeds Month, and the “Celebrating 250” blog is taking a break from exploring the history of breeds on the Conservation Priority List to focus on the vital role that young people play in ... Read more

The Livestock Conservancy, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, protection and promotion of rare agricultural breeds in the United States, has released its 2026 Conservation Priority List. This roster of more than 180 breeds across 11 species ranks the extinction threat for America’s farm animals. In 2026, two formerly endangered breeds graduated from the list.  Working closely ... Read more

Chickens have woven their way into the fabric of U.S. life in more profound ways than many may realize. Their fascinating history not only reflects the evolution of agriculture in the U.S. but also highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity. Over the past 250 years, the humble yard bird has transformed into a cornerstone of ... Read more