Ballowe Pastures

Ballowe Pastures, Tunis sheep, Carlinville, IL, in Macoupin County near the St. Louis metro area, is a small family farm. The Ballowes have bred Tunis sheep for over fifteen years through membership in national sheep associations and follow routine health screenings including fecal egg counts and genetic testing.

Their sheep graze rotationally on mixed grass pastures and are given daily access to a shelter barn and clean water to support natural behaviors and social bonds. Dena and Donny draw on a background in small-scale agriculture to focus on calm temperaments and sturdy conformation, traits valued by fiber artists and homesteaders. Visitors often note the flock’s gentle nature and quick adaptation to handling, reflecting the farm’s steady approach to early socialization and low-stress management. The farm’s emphasis on pasture health and natural fiber quality supports sustainable practices and adds value for small homesteads.