About Us La Plata Farms was born on the proverbial dark and stormy night! Over 20 years ago, a neighbor, in the middle of lambing a large flock, found herself with the orphaned lambs.  She was tired of the whole "kit and kaboodle" and wondered if we wanted to raise them as bottle lambs. Not knowing any better, we said "yes"! "Kit and Kaboodle" grew into big, beautiful Columbia Ewes. During our first shearing the following spring, two lost spinners pulled up to our house. They exclaimed over the beautiful fleeces and asked if we would consider selling the fleeces to them. Hmmm, we might be onto something here! Soon, Kit and Kaboodle were followed by more ewes. Colored Fleeces were very popular and soon we had a rainbow of colors. We discovered sheep coats at this time and began to coat our better ewes to provide clean fleeces to the hand spinning market. 1984 was the arrival of our first purebred Corriedales. These were followed by Registered Lincolns. Ground was broken at the farm for a retail spinning shop. Wheels, dyes, looms, knitting supplies and a multitude of spinning fibers fill every nook and cranny of our shop. The production of lambs and wool is completely overseen by the Ramsey Family. Pam skirts and sorts the fleeces and manages the mail-order and retail end of the business. Doug manages the flock, produces the hay and grain, runs the irrigation system, builds the fence and shears the flock. He is also the booth constructor, driver and slave labor for our trade shows. Cassie and Travis have grown up helping manage the flock, they provide veterinary care, labor, lambing assistance and hugs for the baby lambs. Many years in the show ring with our sheep have given them a good eye. Both have worked our booths since the very beginning. In 1995, Cassie and Travis worked with the Navajo Sheep Project when the flock from Utah State University was quartered at the Experimental Station at Hesperus. When the flock went back to Utah, Cassie had rescued a Churro Ewe Lamb with a broken leg. She splinted the leg and nursed the lamb back to health. This was the start of our Navajo Churro flock. More Churros have joined the flock and we especially enjoy these hardy, tough little sheep. This was also the start of our travels on the Navajo Reservation, visiting other shepherds and weavers. Over 20 years in the premium wool business have given us a wide experience in all facets of the craft. Pam teaches spinning, dying, and felting and Doug is always available for sheep management questions. The shop is open by appointment. Call and spend some time with us, the coffee pot is always on!