Sheep Industry News May 2024

Missouri Producer Believes In Direct-to-Consumer Model

W hether he’s explaining the shearing process to handspinners or leading a group of school chil dren into the petting zoo, Ed Crowley is perfectly at home with the consumer aspect of his direct-to-consumer operation. Part farmer and part showman, he’s comfortable inviting the general public to visit Mesta Meadows on a daily basis or during the annual on-farm Ozark Highlands Sheep & Fiber Festival his family has hosted in March the past three years. The profits available from selling direct to consumer sound great, but can lose their luster a bit when those same consum ers are tromping through pastures and petting everything from sheep and goats to livestock guardian dogs, as well as Angus and Scottish Highland cattle. The chickens roam ing the Glenallen, Mo., property, however, are generally less welcoming. “I grew up on a large dairy farm that was very much a commercial operation,” said Ed, who owns and operates the farm with his wife, Terri. “But for me, I love working with

people. I like the interaction that comes with it. I like adding value to what I grow. From a profitability standpoint, we can do as well as farms four to five times our size. “It’s more labor intensive. It’s more work, and it’s a different type of farming than what my dad did. But I like this type of farming. I really believe that financially, high-value add, di versification and direct-to-consumer offers the least risk and most sustainable way. Especially for young people just getting into farming. With what land prices are now, if your goal is to buy a 3,000-acre farm, good luck.” SMALL & PROFITABLE Mesta Meadows is a 200-acre operation, but not an inch of that land is left to languish. A small dairy sheep flock runs alongside Rambouillet and Cormo ewes who produce a vari ety of naturally colored wool that sells for more than $20 per pound – albeit often in 1- to 3-pound lots on Etsy. “We ship about 70 percent of our wool through Etsy,” said Ed, who also works as an assistant professor of management

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