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A Weekend to Remember
More than a year ago, we began working toward a goal: to bring Diné shepherds, weavers, and fiber artists to New Jersey and create an opportunity for people to experience the Navajo-Churro sheep alongside the people, knowledge, and traditions that have helped preserve this remarkable breed.
In September 2026, that vision became a reality.
The Navajo-Churro was celebrated as the Featured Breed at the New Jersey Sheep & Fiber Festival, and we had the honor of welcoming Nikyle Begay, Irene Bennalley, Edith Simonson, Lorraine Herder, and Pamela Brown to New Jersey.
For an entire weekend, visitors had an opportunity to do much more than simply see Navajo-Churro sheep. They could sit with our Diné presenters, ask questions, hear their stories, watch them work, and learn directly from people whose lives and artistry remain connected to the breed.
Sharing Knowledge, Artistry & Tradition
Throughout the festival, our presenters shared weaving, hand carding, Navajo lap spinning, natural dyeing, storytelling, and generations of knowledge surrounding the Navajo-Churro sheep and their wool.
Nikyle shared knowledge of the breed and its characteristics. Irene and Pamela shared their weaving and artistry, while Edith demonstrated hand carding and Navajo lap spinning. Lorraine shared her experiences as a Diné shepherd and weaver.
Irene’s natural dye workshop was especially well received, bringing participants together to explore the use of natural dyes and fiber in a hands-on setting.
But some of the most meaningful moments happened outside of scheduled demonstrations.
They happened in the conversations around the tables, beside the sheep pens, over meals, and between people who may never have met one another without this weekend.
Visitors supported our presenters directly by purchasing their work and expressing interest in future weavings, fiber, artwork, and custom pieces. Lorraine’s weaving and jewelry found a new home, while visitors interested in raising Navajo-Churro sheep were able to meet shepherds and learn more about becoming part of the breed’s future.
For a heritage breed, those connections matter.
This Was Made Possible by You
Bringing our Diné presenters to New Jersey meant coordinating thousands of miles of travel, transportation, lodging, schedules, sheep, demonstrations, and countless details behind the scenes.
We could not have done it alone.
We are deeply grateful to the Garden State Sheep Breeders for welcoming our presenters, supporting the Featured Breed program, and generously contributing toward making their visit to New Jersey possible.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors and supporters:
Jersey West • KMAcres • El Sagrado Farm • Balance Fine Finishing LLC
A very special thank-you also goes to Rene Simonson and Raina Silver, who came alongside their grandmothers, Edith Simonson and Lorraine Herder, and helped them throughout their time in New Jersey. Their support behind the scenes helped make it possible for their grandmothers to participate fully in the weekend and share their knowledge, stories, and artistry with all of us.
And to every person who contributed to our fundraiser: thank you.
Whether you donated, shared our fundraiser, helped behind the scenes, attended Irene’s dye class, purchased directly from one of our presenters, visited a demonstration, asked questions, met the sheep, or simply took the time to listen and learn, you played a part in making this weekend possible
Every contribution played a part.
Because of your generosity, our Diné presenters were able to travel to New Jersey and share their own knowledge, stories, artistry, and relationship with the Navajo-Churro sheep directly with our community.
That is what your donations helped accomplish.
More Than Preserving a Breed
Preserving a heritage breed is about more than maintaining numbers.
For us, celebrating the Navajo-Churro also means recognizing the history, knowledge, people, and living traditions connected to these sheep.
That was the purpose behind bringing this program to New Jersey.
Over the course of one weekend, shepherds, weavers, fiber artists, farmers, families, students, and visitors gathered together. We shared knowledge, meals, stories, laughter, fiber, sheep, and friendship.
People who arrived as strangers exchanged information and made connections that continued after everyone went home. New people discovered the Navajo-Churro. Future shepherds asked questions. Artists found new audiences for their work, and Lorraine’s weaving and jewelry went home with someone who valued the skill, time, and tradition woven into each piece.
The sheep may have brought everyone together, but the people made the weekend what it was.
To Nikyle, Irene, Edith, Lorraine, and Pamela—thank you for making the journey to New Jersey and trusting us with the opportunity to welcome you.
To Rene and Raina, Garden State Sheep Breeders, our sponsors, generous donors, volunteers, fellow shepherds, festival visitors, friends, and everyone who supported us along the way—thank you for believing in what we were trying to accomplish.
You helped make the 2026 New Jersey Sheep & Fiber Festival a weekend we will remember for years to come.
And, hopefully, this is only the beginning.
From Bee to Ewe,
Hestia’s Homestead
2026 Market Schedule
June 28th, July 12 & 19th
April 12th, May 3rd, November 8th & 22nd
Open 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the corner of Station and Atlantic Avenue in beautiful downtown Haddon Heights
We are proud to be sponsored by
San Luis Valley, Colorado
At El Sagrado Farm, our mission is to cultivate carbon-neutral, regenerative, organic, and biodynamic agriculture, while embracing a lifestyle that demonstrates living in harmony with the earth. For the past 25 years, we have been honored to raise Navajo-Churro sheep, grateful for the partnership and richness they bring to our farm. Visit their website El Sagrado Farm
Jersey West Farm is a family-owned farm with a deep commitment to preserving the rare and historically significant Navajo-Churro sheep. Through thoughtful stewardship and a passion for heritage livestock, they help ensure this remarkable breed continues to thrive for future generations. Their dedication extends beyond their own flock, supporting educational outreach and opportunities that connect people with the rich history, cultural significance, and fiber traditions of the Navajo-Churro sheep. We are sincerely grateful for Jersey West Farm’s generous sponsorship, which is helping bring Diné shepherds and educators to the Garden State Sheep Breeders Fiber Festival to share their knowledge, traditions, and stories with our community.
Balance Fine Finishing, LLC
We are grateful to Balance Fine Finishing, LLC for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Featured Breed Celebration of the Navajo-Churro sheep at the Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival. Based in Franklinville, New Jersey, Balance Fine Finishing is a family-owned business specializing in custom woodworking and fine finishing. Their commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and community has helped make this cultural and educational opportunity possible. Through their support, Diné shepherds, weavers, and cultural educators will travel to New Jersey to share their knowledge, traditions, and the living heritage of the Navajo-Churro sheep. We sincerely thank Balance Fine Finishing for investing in the preservation of both an endangered livestock breed and the cultural traditions that have sustained it for generations.
KM Acres
We are incredibly grateful to KM Acres for their support of the 2026 Featured Breed Celebration of the Navajo-Churro sheep at the Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival. As dedicated Navajo-Churro breeders and advocates, KM Acres understands the importance of preserving not only this remarkable heritage breed, but also the stories, traditions, and people connected to it. Their generosity is helping bring Diné shepherds and cultural educators to New Jersey to share their knowledge, craftsmanship, and lifelong connection to the Navajo-Churro sheep. Support from fellow shepherds and breeders makes opportunities like this possible. We are honored to have KM Acres standing alongside us in celebrating the sheep, the culture, and the community that have kept this breed thriving for generations. Thank you, KM Acres, for your friendship, encouragement, and commitment to the future of the Navajo-Churro sheep.
El Sagrado Farm, Jersey West Fram, Balance Fine Finishing, KMArces are proud sponsors for the Diné artisans to attend the 2026 NJ Sheep & Fiber Festival
Welcome
Thank you for stopping by and visiting our homestead!
We are first-generation homesteaders located in Franklinville, New Jersey. Our journey began in 2009 in a small suburban town just ten minutes outside Philadelphia, where we raised chickens and grew produce on a modest plot of land.
Once we began keeping bees, we realized it was time to expand—both for them and for us. In 2019, we took a leap and moved to a small farm with an 1880 farmhouse, and we immediately dove into restoring both the home and land to their former beauty. We’ve worked to bring the farmhouse back to its original charm: preserving the 130-year-old pine doors still hanging in place and repurposing rescued oak trim from a local 1890 home that was set to be demolished.
We’ve planted heirloom apple trees once popular at the turn of the 20th century and became a Bee Friendly Certified Farm. Our love for heritage breeds led us across the country to bring home America’s oldest sheep breed—the Navajo-Churro.
We are proud members of the Livestock Conservancy and participants in the Shave ’Em to Save ’Em project. Stewardship is at the heart of everything we do. We care for our land and animals holistically and with intention—
From Bee to Ewe!
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Photography by Hestia’s Homestead LLC
