Thomas and family enjoy sheep together
Pictured is one of several lambs that were born on the Thomas family farm. Josie Sellers | Beacon
FRESNO – Mary Thomas can’t remember not having sheep.
She raised them for 4-H when she was younger and now gets to enjoy them with her girls Sarah, who is 4, and Abby, who is 1.
“I mostly mess around with the sheep, but Josh (my husband) helps,” Mary said.
They also have beef cattle, bale hay and Mary said Josh raises corn and soy beans with a business partner.
“It’s nice that I can stay home with the kids while they are little and try to help more with the farm,” Mary said.
She has had as many as 40 sheep in her flock, but right now has 25 ewes and one ram.
“I enjoy working them with the girls,” Mary said. “When the lambs are first born the moms are protective, but we are past that point right now so they can get right in here.”
Breeding season can be an adventure for the Thomas family.
“If everything goes the way its suppose to its crazy with all the lambs being born within two weeks, but this year they were strung out,” Mary said. “You can start to know when they are going to give birth. It becomes a contest with Josh and me to guess who is going to go next. You get to know them and their personalities.”
The Thomas’ sell their sheep for meat, but Mary hopes someday the girls also will get to show sheep for 4-H.
Sarah is already enjoying being around the sheep.
“I like my little lambs and that they are Bailey (the dog’s) friends,” she said.
Read more about farming in our community in Down on the Farm!
Category: People & Places
