Welcome to Our Farm
Meet the passionate breeders and caretakers of the Clearview Valais.
Welcome to Laura’s 28-acre farm, nestled in the beautiful countryside of Beaver County, PA, right on the southwestern border with Ohio. This little slice of heaven is home to a lively crew—Valais sheep (of course), horses, chickens, pigeons, chuckers, quail, and a delightful frenzy of Vizslas that keep us on our toes and our hearts full.
Laura also takes joy in growing a variety of veggies, flowers, fruits, and gathering fresh eggs, all for personal use. It’s a place where nature thrives, animals bring joy, and every day feels a little bit magical. We’re so glad you’re here to share in the beauty of the farm!
-Laura and team
How We Got Started…
About 10 years ago, Suzan sent Laura a picture of a Valais Blacknose lamb with the message, “We need these!” It was impossible to argue the point—they were absolutely adorable. With a small 28-acre farm in Western Pennsylvania, just outside Ellwood City, Laura had the space to make it happen. The two had a history of joint animal ownership with Vizslas and chickens so why not sheep.
Curious and excited, she began researching, only to discover that Valais Blacknose sheep weren’t yet available in the United States. It was a disappointing realization. A couple of years later, something prompted Laura to check again, and this time, the sheep were finally accessible. However, this new opportunity coincided with the onset of Covid-19.
Undeterred, Laura moved forward. In the spring of 2020, they welcomed their foundation flock—four young Horned Dorset ewes. Later, they expanded the Clearview flock with the addition of two mature Scottish Blackface ewes, taking the first steps toward realizing the (very adorable) dream.
About Valais Blacknose Sheep
Are Valais the cutest sheep in the world?
In our opinion, definitely. The Valais Blacknose (German name- Walliser Schwarznasenschaf), are commonly referred to as “the cutest sheep in the world” and after looking at one prance, we think you’ll agree.
Characteristics:
Valais have striking black noses, with black markings extending up their faces to their eyes and surrounding them. Their ears are fully black, and they have additional black patches on the fronts of their knees and hocks, standing out against their otherwise white coats. Ewes also have distinctive black spots under their tails, which makes them easy to sex. Both rams and ewes have unique twisted, spiral-shaped horns—heavier and downward-curving in rams, and lighter with a more outward angle in ewes. These bold markings and remarkable horns give them a charming and eye-catching appearance
Size:
Rams weigh between 80 and 130 kg and stand 75 to 83 cm tall, while ewes weigh 70 to 90 kg and measure 72 to 78 cm in height.
Wool:
Valais Blacknose fleece is a unique and defining characteristic of the breed, evolving as the sheep matures. Lambs boast incredibly soft fleece, which naturally becomes coarser with age. In terms of fiber grade, the Swiss standard places the fleece at approximately 28-38 microns, depending on age and gender, with lambs having the finest wool and mature males the coarsest.
The staple length averages 10 cm with 6 months of growth, so it’s recommended to shear twice a year. Fleece weights based on 6 months of growth are approximately: 1-1.5 kg for lambs, and 2.5-3 kg for both ewes and rams.
The fleece is uniformly white, with a balanced distribution across the body. The legs feature thick, full wool, while the head displays a natural, long, and iconic coat. Though rare, some black hairs or fibers may appear on the neck area, especially in young males up to 18 months of age. This can be a consideration when castrating to maintain breed standards in the flock.
Just a little cuteness from the farm…
