Episode 14: An Interview with The Ross Farm

Behind the Wool

We’re doing things a little differently this time, and interviewing some lovely people.

Amy Manko and ScooterPie the Shepherd Guy are the owners of The Ross Farm and The Ross Farm Fibers Mercantile, which can be found at 78 N Main Street in beautiful Washington, PA.

Amy and Scott raise nine different breeds of rare and heritage breed sheep on their farm, which they farm for their fleece. Amy has been running the farm since 1993, and the farm has been in her family for five generations, and her son will be the sixth generation.

In addition to running the farm, Amy also writes articles for Knit Edge and Ply, and teaches at various fiber festivals. We found out that Amy is working with Deb Robson and a host of other big name crafters to create a fundraising project to fund Colonial Williamsburg’s rare breed program, the SVF Foundation, and the Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Amy also runs the Magical Fiber Fantasy Retreat, which is currently open for registration! This retreat takes place every November, and is a great fun time.

Amy and Scooter go to tons of fiber festivals throughout the year, including Maryland Sheep & Wool and Rhinebeck. These adventures are the source of the stories on their podcast, Transient Wool Merchants.

Amy and Scott are Schacht dealers, and Scott runs a really amazing Instagram, @ScooterPieTheShepherdGuy.

The Ross Farm will be donating a Shetland to the Youth Conservationist Program, which gives a rare breed yearling ewe to kids who have shown an interest in raising rare breeds. The sheep will be presented on Sunday at Maryland Sheep & Wool. In the UK, they have the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.