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
By Callene Rapp, Owner of Rare Hare Barn, Co-author of Raising Rabbits for Meat Rabbits are relative newcomers in the gallery of domestic animals, having only been domesticated and shaped into what we know as breeds in the last few hundred years. All our modern rabbit breeds descended from the European wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, ... 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
by Mike Rich, Arriola Sunshine Farm Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion), 2019 hchavez, Creative Commons Sheep were domesticated between 11,000 and 9000 BCE in Western Asia (Iraq, Iran, Turkey). The Asiatic wild mouflon is widely believed to be the primary ancestor to all modern domestic sheep. Wild mouflons have a short-haired, reddish-brown coat ... Read more
by Dr. Tim Safranski, University of Missouri Domestic farm animals descend from wild animals. Pigs were the third animal to be domesticated, following sheep and goats. This occurred in two locations, beginning with hunting pigs for food, transitioning to management and selective breeding for gentler animals adapted to local needs and resources, ultimately leading to ... Read more
Meet the 2025-2026 Livestock Conservancy Microgrant Recipients Interest in The Livestock Conservancy’s 2025–26 Microgrants remained strong, with more than 150 farmers, ranchers, shepherds, homesteaders, breed groups, and youth submitting applications. Now in its eighth year, the program has provided more than $150,000 in funding to support over 100 rare breed projects nationwide, reaching 35 states ... Read more
by John Metzer, Metzer Farms Heritage geese occupy an important but often overlooked place in the agricultural history, cultural development and food traditions of the United States. These old, genetically stable varieties represent living links to earlier eras of American farming. As interest in sustainable agriculture grows, so does recognition of the value these birds ... Read more
by McMurray Hatchery The history of turkeys has been a cyclical process, involving the spread of domesticated turkeys from this hemisphere to different areas of the world before they eventually made their way back to North America. Here is a summary of how that cycle occurred: Click for a Timeline of Turkeys in America ... Read more
by Emily Hayes, Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Tennessee State University Origin of Domesticated Goats Click for a Timeline of Goats in America Archaeological evidence suggests that goats were among the first animals domesticated over 10,000 years ago, originating from the wild bezoar ibex in the mountainous regions of present-day Iran and ... Read more
