Northland Sheep Dairy

About Northland Sheep Dairy

Northland Sheep Dairy is located in the rolling hill country east of Ithaca, an international cultural center in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Its 100 acres include farmstead gardens, orchard, and woodland, as well as perennial hay/pasture, designed around a centrally located, passive solar, European-style farmhouse and outbuildings. More information can be found on our website.

Our dairy operation aims to minimize off-farm inputs of fuel, fertilizer, feed, and machinery. Features of our system now becoming more widely adopted include seasonal grass-based dairying, intensive grazing management, animal breeding for hardy, 100% grass diet efficiency, the use of animal traction power where appropriate, and a shift in perspective to see the primary function of animals as soil builders.

The organic sheep milk is processed into organic cheese at Jane North's cheese making facility in Marathon NY. We also produce wool and offer internships. Northland Sheep Dairy produces and direct markets farm-crafted, artisanal quality sheep's milk cheese, yarn, skins, and lamb. The sheep are on open pasture during warmer months, then in a corral in the winter. Products are available at local farmer's markets, at the farm (call ahead to make an appointment), or by mail order.