Hiking at Bryant's Cidery
Get ready for a unique adventure! Llama trekking comes to Bryant’s Cidery, offering visitors a chance to stroll through the beautiful 300-acre orchard alongside these gentle giants.
Blog Postings
Florian Returns to the Herd
In November 2022, Florian had surgery to repair her broken leg, and returned to Lower Sherwood for her recovery.
Florian's New Stall
More than ten weeks ago, Florian had surgery to repair her broken leg, and returned to Lower Sherwood for her recovery.
Fitz's Arrival
Born on New Years Day, please join us in welcoming our first arrival for 2023, Fitz, to the herd.
Fitz’s dam is Miss Bennett (ILR#289562), and his sire is Kingsley (ILR#292709).
![An image of a woman feeding some llamas. [U]](/img/9e0ea180-67cb-44ee-9b5f-a3f4c8caa1c8_hu776636464620113074.webp)
Volunteer Opportunities
We could not do it without YOU! Volunteers are an enormous asset to small farms like Lower Sherwood and we truly couldn’t meet our mission without them. From animal care, to grounds and event preparation, there is always plenty of work to be done and volunteers are the magic that make it happen!
Introducing Flemming
We’d like you all to meet Flemming!
Flemming’s dam is Cricket (ILR#277079), and his sire is Marcus (ILR#278387).
Florian's Ongoing Recovery
Two weeks ago, Florian had surgery to repair her broken leg, and returned to Lower Sherwood last week for her recovery.
Hikes are reopened!
Come walk with us! It is finally time for us to announce that our llama hikes are REOPENED! We cannot begin to express how excited we are to welcome visitors back to the farm and how ready the llamas are to hike with you. Thank you for your patience while we have navigated a whirlwind year.
Florian Returns
After a long week away at Virginia Tech’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for surgery to repair her broken leg, Florian has returned back to Lower Sherwood for her continued recovery.
Florian's Injury
On the morning of November 1st, five-month old Florian was found on the farm with a broken leg. She was rushed to her vet and was later transferred to Virginia Tech’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital where she underwent surgery to have her leg repaired with pins and plates.
Remembering Oreo
September 3rd was a very hard day for Lower Sherwood Farm as one of our gentle giants, Oreo, passed over the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 24.
Paige fell in love with Jack and Oreo through the Frog Pond Farm Draft Horse Rescue website back in 2011, and she was the winning bidder for the pair through one of their charity auctions.
Described as a “pony in a big horse body” by Frog Pond Farm, Oreo was 16 hands and over 2,000 pounds. His head was big enough that Paige had to order special halters to fit him.
Welcoming Florian!
Our second baby of the season is Florian!
Florian’s dam is Outsourced (ILR#293682), and her sire is Elevenses Kingsley (ILR#292709).
Introducing Tonks
We’re proud to announce the first baby of the season, Nymphadora Tonks!
Nymphadora’s dam is Sourcerous (ILR#283933), and her sire is Elevenses Kingsley (ILR#292709).
Paige McGrath - 1968-2022
We’re deeply saddened to report that Paige passed away on Friday April 8th 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by close friends and family. Just before she passed, we were able to bring her home so she was able to see her beloved llamas for one last time.
For over 35 years, Paige and her family have been raising llamas at their farm just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, and they now have had seven generations born on the farm. Not only has Paige raised national champions, but her llamas have appeared in the Guinness Book of Records, and have become mini-celebrities on YouTube, television, and social media.
Llama Immune Therapy
The research continues using llamas as a possible answer to COVID. Just today the BBC released an article titled Covid: Immune therapy from llamas shows promise. Llamas - the “therapy you didn’t know you needed” can help you both emotionally and physically.
They are the superheroes of the animal kingdom. Check it out!
Above photo: “Miss Bennett with her son Longbourn”
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Help Us Fight the ANWR Llama Ban
Lower Sherwood Farm was recently featured on the news regarding our right to have llamas on public lands. However, the report was a bit misleading. Here’s what’s going on:
Llamas and alpacas have been banned from the public lands known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The ban is based on a request from a special interest group that is claiming that the llamas and alpaca pose a health threat to the native sheep population. Science does not support their claims. In fact, the special interest group citing this false claim are hunters that lead expeditions to shoot the sheep. So, who is the real threat to the sheep population?
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Llamas are Going to Save the World
There’s been a lot of talk about the use of llama anti-bodies in the news lately. Articles have recently run in the Washington Post and NY Times. Belgian researchers are looking to llamas to “build a bridge” to a potential Covid 19 vaccine. While the research involving the use of llama proteins and antibodies isn’t new, it is exciting. I have said for decades that “llamas are going to save the world”.
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Welcome to the Lower Sherwood Blog
We’re very excited to be launching this blog, and we hope you’ll be a regular visitor here.
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