charlie-walker

Well this was certainly an exciting year for the Pygora Goat at OFFF; I feel lucky to have been a part of it. Jill Gallagher from Hollyhock Hollow’s Farm was the big winner with her Pygora fleece taking the Diamond Fleece award. This is the second time that a Pygora has taken the highest honor at the faire and I couldn’t be more proud.
The Oregon Flock and Fiber show is wonderful for anyone really into fiber, but it’s also one of the best events for families. The whole event really is a whirlwind of color for the eyes to feast on. Every color of yarn and raw fleece is available, more than your senses can even imagine. I talked to people from all over the country and the consensus is that people just love this event. I’m from California and it was my first visit so I will have to make it an annual pilgrimage.

Pygora: selecting a breed of animal.

The Pygora has been around since the 80’s, recently gaining popularity for its unique fiber and diversity. The breed was started by Katherine Jorgenson and has grown into a membership of over [ENTER NUMBER]. With almost twenty years of hybridization you have animals whose typical fleece feels like butter to the hand-spinner, making it a hot commodity for all kinds of knitters.
People are blending the pygora with other animals to get the most exotic blends. I started raising these animals with my children in the early 90’s. I had a group of 4-H kids that were vegetarians and didn’t want a market animal. We went shopping for an animal that could be used for something other than a pet. I happened upon an article that talked about the Pygora as an animal that could be used in a variety of ways. I called Katherine Jorgensen the founder of the breed in search of a breeder in California. That’s how I ran across Jill Gallagher. She had been working on her flock and it was exactly what I had been looking for. She is just the most incredible herdsman and she shares her love of the animal with a dedication to breeding some of the finest pygoras.
I have never been disappointed with my decision on this animal. The market sometimes drives the way we produce a product but for some of us we have stuck to the product and it’s exactly what the consumer has come to count on. With any decision about an animal it’s a long time commitment.
If you would like more information on this breed please contact us at http://www.pba-pygora.com

Louellen Kelly
WaterLu’s pygora