Tracy Shick
Contributing Writer
(Tracy Shick/TCJ – Sheep, Border Collies and goats safely graze at Midwest Mini Sheep, just outside of Bellevue.)
Just a few miles outside of the Bellevue Village, Jen Vegh and her business partner, Kraig Shattuck, have created what can only be described as a little slice of heaven.
Their farm, Midwest Mini Sheep LLC, is home to 87 miniature sheep, spread across 30 rotational paddocks, along with a recently expanded herd of goats that are helping make the farm even more sustainable.
Interestingly, it all started with dogs. Vegh has long been a fan of Border Collies, a breed widely recognized as one of the world’s most intelligent and talented herding dogs. Wanting to give her dogs a meaningful job that tapped into their natural instincts, she began researching livestock that would be a good fit. After spending countless hours online, she discovered miniature sheep – and it quickly became much more than just a hobby.
One breed in particular captured her attention: the Ouessant sheep, the world’s smallest naturally occurring sheep breed. Originally from the small island of Ouessant off the coast of Brittany, France, these hardy heritage sheep are known for their friendly personalities, resilience, and ability to thrive primarily on forage with very little supplemental feed.
Today, Midwest Mini Sheep specializes in preserving and improving heritage sheep by carefully crossing Ouessant sheep with Shetland and American Soay bloodlines. The goal is to produce healthy, hardy miniature sheep that are well suited for small farms and homesteads while maintaining the valuable genetics of these heritage breeds.
Beyond simply raising sheep, Vegh and Shattuck are working toward an ambitious long-term breeding program to increase the number of purebred American Ouessant sheep in the United States.
When they acquired their foundation rams, there were fewer than 100 Ouessant sheep of any percentage in the country, and only five rams that were 7/8 (87.5%) Ouessant.
To help expand the breed, they initially crossed their rams with Shetland and Soay sheep, creating the foundation for future generations. Now, each new generation is bred to achieve an even higher percentage of Ouessant genetics.
One of their biggest milestones came this past March. Using artificial insemination with semen from a purebred ram in New Zealand, their 7/8 Ouessant ewes produced the first-ever 15/16 (93.75%) Ouessant lambs born in the United States. At that level, the sheep are officially recognized as Purebred American Ouessant. The next generation, also planned through artificial insemination, is expected to produce the nation’s first 31/32 (96.88%) Ouessant sheep – another significant step in preserving and expanding this rare breed in America.
The farm has continued to evolve. One of the newest additions has been a growing herd of goats, which serve an important purpose beyond simply adding another species to the farm. While sheep tend to graze grasses, goats eagerly browse brush, weeds, vines, and woody plants that sheep typically leave behind. Together, they complement one another, helping keep the paddocks cleaner and making rotational grazing more efficient.
Beyond raising livestock, Vegh and Shattuck, both professors at the University of Olivet, have found another way to share their passion. They have invited students to the farm for Stress Relief Days, giving them an opportunity to step away from the pressures of college life and spend time in nature with the animals.
For Vegh, the farm offers something even more meaningful than successful breeding programs or healthy livestock. “I love just sitting out in the paddock,” she said. It’s easy to understand why as one is surrounded by peaceful pastures, curious sheep, playful goats, and working Border Collies.
Those interested in learning more about miniature sheep, heritage breeds, or the farm itself can visit www.midwestminisheep.com, where Vegh and Shattuck recently launched a blog filled with educational articles and updates. They are also on Facebook.
