Happy Hills

Happy Hills is a breeder of Katahdin sheep in Pine River, Minnesota, in Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes area near Brainerd. Janell Akerson has been raising these hair sheep for over ten years, focusing on registered stock through the Katahdin Hair Sheep International registry and annual health testing protocols. The sheep are raised on open pastures with rotational grazing and receive regular handling from lambing through maturity to support calm temperaments.

Their flock benefits from a low-stress environment where social lamb groups and pasture enrichment encourage natural behaviors. Happy Hills maintains a small on-site facility for routine care and quarantine when needed, ensuring each animal’s well-being. Visitors are welcome to observe herd management practices by appointment, reflecting Janell’s commitment to transparency and responsible breeding. Janell evaluates each lamb for parasite resistance and mothering ability, traits valued by homesteaders and small-scale producers. The quiet setting near state forests gives the sheep room to roam and graze freely.