Sunrise Valley Farm

Sunrise Valley Farm, Leicester longwool sheep, Hiwassee, VA, is located in the Appalachian Highlands near Roanoke. The farm has been raising registered Leicester longwools for over ten years and participates in national sheep breeding associations, with routine health screenings and selective breeding focused on fleece quality.

Pasture rotation supports soil fertility and encourages natural forage diversity, with ewes and rams moved across open fields bordered by oak and maple. Shelter barns are designed for gentle handling and easy access during lambing seasons, ensuring both ewe comfort and strong mothering instincts in the flock. Each year the flock yields fleeces prized by handspinners for consistent micron count and even dye absorption. The Groot family follows low-stress stockmanship techniques passed down through generations on the farm, blending traditional practices with observed best husbandry. Many fiber artists visiting fiber festivals have noted the clear lock definition and warmth of the fleece.