CAPULIN — Elena Miller-ter Kuile, owner of Cactus Hill Farm, comes from a long line of shepherds.
A family from Espinola, New Mexico has settled in Caplin for six generations. At one time, her great-great-grandfather had thousands of sheep and was considered a wealthy man.
Quille also has strong family ties with Holland. When she was growing up, she had to sell her sheep because her father was having a difficult time.
Cuillet always had a love for agriculture and sheep. After attending college to study her soil and agricultural development, she returned to her family farm and she started Cactus Her Hill Her Farm ten years ago with her father.
“I started with eight sheep from northern Colorado and some from my neighbors,” she said.
Cactus Hill Farm has 400 acres and about 250 different breeds of sheep, all with different types of wool.
“Wensleydale sheep are curly,” said Quille. “LBD have long hair. Merino sheep are very popular because the quality of their wool is fine, soft, scratch-free and very easy to wear. Churros sheep have very coarse hair. Wool is often used in rugs as well as Korcha embroidery.”
Cuile breeds sheep whose wool is suitable for clothing. She specializes in custom yarns and clothing.
Sheep come in a variety of colors that affect the color of the wool. Some wool is dyed with natural pigments. For example, use a local yellow shrub called Rabbitbrush to create a beautiful yellow color.
Kuile also uses a company in Craig called Yampa Valley Fiber Works. This company takes raw sheared fleece and spins it into yarn. Kuile uses acid dyes to create vibrant colors like lime greens and bright oranges.
Kuile recently converted a disused shed into a yarn shop, where she works. She sells her yarn online, as well as her wool markets in Salida and Santa Fe.
Quille also talked about the business of shepherds. She shared some facts about sheep. Sheep love cold weather and are well suited to the extremes of Colorado. their hair grows faster.
Unlike cattle, which can roam large areas unsupervised, sheep need a herdman and a guard dog. Sheep can be used for wool and meat.
Cuyle grazes sheep in the pasture during the day. At night, dogs gather sheep in pens to protect them from predators.
Once a year, usually in April, all the sheep enter the barn for lambing.
“Sheep, like anything else, depends on what is most profitable in the industry,” Kuile said. “White wool is preferable to black wool. Is not.
Sheep aren’t the only source of income for Cactus Hill Farm. They are blessed to have the oldest water rights in Connejos County. Therefore, they are able to maintain large flocks of sheep.
Elena and her father sell hay and grow an ancient grain called emmer, similar to wheat. Jessica Lariva of Tumbleweed Bakery in Monte Vista uses organic products from his farm at Cactus Hill.
Cactus Hill Farm is on Facebook.their email is [email protected]The website is www.cactushillfarm.com. To order custom yarn, clothing, or other organic products, call Kuile at 719-849-9164.
