Discover local sheep products raised in New York
Promoting and advocating for New York's sheep industry
ESPA was founded over 50 years ago by a group of industry leaders to provide marketing and educational support to sheep farmers. We proudly continue that tradition today!
Find what you need
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NYS sheep products
Find a New York State sheep producer near you. NY state’s sheep farms offer wool products, lamb, dairy, breeding stock, sheepskins, and so much more.
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Professional resources for sheep producers
We are proud to collaborate with many agricultural organizations in NYS. Below, find a list of professional resources for raising sheep, marketing, and fiber processing.
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Support for New York sheep farmers
Join us and enjoy benefits such as marketing opportunities, a listing in the ESPA searchable online directory, connecting with fellow members, and more.
What we do
The purpose of the Empire Sheep Producers Association is to inform consumers and educate youth and farmers on the New York State sheep industry, exchange and provide information, educational and marketing materials for the furtherance of this purpose and conduct all business to enhance sheep, sheep milk, and wool enterprises in New York State.
We help support several statewide sheep shows and fiber festivals, including the NY Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhinebeck), the NY Fiber Trail, and the Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX) wool warehouse.
2026 Wool Center at NY State Fair
LocalFiber Initiative (LFI), a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Central NY, whose mission is to promote the use of natural fiber and support small fiber farmers, is collaborating with ESPA in 2026 to coordinate the NY State Fair Wool Center programming. Activities will again include the operation of a wool shop. Over 25 members have registered to participate in the Wool Center.
Learn more »
Find a NYS Sheep Producer
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Sheep farming is generally a carbon-neutral enterprise, especially in places like NYS. Our association members take advantage of a regional climate that allows for pasture grazing on a nearly year-round basis, rotating animals from one location to another on their farms as much as possible.
Many ESPA members are participants in the NYS Grown and Certified Program, which assures consumers that the food or fiber product that they are buying is local and produced to a higher standard. The program requires participating producers to adopt food safety standards and enroll in an environmental management program in cooperation with local soil and water conservation districts. ESPA is the state affiliate of the national American Sheep Industry Association.
Why choose NYS sheep products?
Resources for NYS Sheep Producers
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NYS Shearer Directory
Click Here to access a current list of Shearers Active in New York State & the Northeast U.S.
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Cornell Sheep Program
Information about sheep, wool, sheep milk, production, and marketing in the northeastern United States. The Cornell Sheep program website is designed to help farmers take advantage of the opportunity to develop or expand sheep farms in the region.
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American Sheep Industry Association
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is the national organization representing the interests of more than 100,000 sheep producers located throughout the U.S. From East to West, pasture-based flocks to range operations, ASI works to represent the interests of all producers.
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Cornell Sheep and Goat Listserv
The purpose of the Cornell SheepGoatManagement List server is to ask about and exchange information about sheep and goat management. You can join the list for free.
