Navajo-Churro Sheep: Oldest Breed of Domestic Sheep in the United States presented by Sam Cunningham of Cunnington Farms

Putting the Past to Work for Our Future: Livestock Conservancy International Heritage

The Livestock Conservancy designates the third week of May annually to bring recognition to critical and endangered heritage breeds in order “to protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction.” Programming at the Moab Museum will highlight heritage breeds that play an important role in the past, present, and future of agriculture in Southeastern Utah. Throughout the week, a variety of heritage breed owners and operators will share with the Moab Community the history and the future of these unique heritage breeds.

Join us Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 11 am and 2 pm on the lawn of the Moab Museum, 118 E Center Street, Moab, as we will be joined by the Navajo-Churro Sheep of Moab’s Cunnington Farms for Navajo-Churro Sheep: Oldest Breed of Domestic Sheep in the United States presented by Cunnington Farms owner, Sam Cunningham. Navajo-Churro Sheep are entwined in Navajo culture and beliefs; the Navajo-Churro Sheep epitomizes a way of life that developed with the introduction of the sheep to the Navajo people in the 17th century and has since been almost exterminated.

Sam Cunningham is a member, and now Co-Chair of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association, as well as a long-time member of the Livestock Conservancy. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Romeldale/CVM (California Variegated Mutant) Association. Her flock at Cunnington Farms consists of several heritage breeds: Navajo-Churro, Romeldale/CVM, and Tunis.  She has raised sheep for 40 years, and sells breeding stock and fiber. And as the Utah Chair of the USDA program Resource, Conservation, and Development, she has spent many years on the Navajo Nation, promoting the use and conservation of Navajo Churro sheep. She also chairs the local Council of the Castleland Resource Conservation and Development, which continues to promote
agriculture in the surrounding area.

Museum admission is required to attend. For current Moab Museum Members, admission is always free. To become a member today please visit us here.