Abel Travis

Abel Travis, Cheviot sheep, Hagerstown, MD, raises a small flock in Washington County and the Appalachian region near Frederick. He has been active in the National Sheep Improvement Program and holds membership in the American Cheviot Sheep Society for six years, maintaining routine health screenings and detailed breeding records in line with association guidelines.

The flock grazes rotational pastures on rolling farmland alongside native grasses, and lambs are introduced to gentle handling from birth to nurture calm temperaments. Wool is skirted and sorted by hand for consistency, and local hand-spinners often comment on the fleece’s bright crimp and durability. Lambing season observations often reveal the calm behavior of ewes raised in family-run farm routines under spacious, open-air shelter.

Even in milder winters the group’s resilience stands out, reflecting generations of selective breeding for hardiness. Seasonal pasture supplements with herbs and minerals support steady growth and contribute to even fleece quality across the flock.