Leicester Longwool

Leicester Longwool Sheep

Breed Type: Dual-Purpose Breed
Country of Origin: England
Breed Association Website: leicesterlongwool.org

The fleece of the Leicester Longwool is prized by hand spinners and crafters for its curl, soft handle, and lustrous beauty. The fleece generally weighs from 11-18 pounds, although heavier fleeces have been recorded. The wool has an evenness of length with a spiral tipped staple length of up to 14 inches in twelve months growth. The wool dyes exceptionally well, maintaining the purity of color; the natural luster still shines through. This premium wool is very versatile, working well for combing for worsted products, carding for woolen products, and felting projects. The Leicester can be shorn twice per year. The Leicester Longwool is a medium to large polled breed with a high quality carcass, whose poll is well covered with locks of wool. Mature rams weigh 200-300 pounds and ewes weigh 150-200 pounds. The breed is white and natural in color.


This breed presented by

Clark Family Farms
Mary EllenClark
7902 Rocky Acre Drive
Thurmont, MD 21788
(301) 271-1020
moc.liamtoh@naidyaresm

2026 Catalog Cover Artist Andrea Wisnewski

Find out more about our 2026 cover artist Andrea Wisnewski.

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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mary Streaker, one of the founders of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Mary passed away yesterday, just two months shy of her 95th birthday.Mary's influence on our Festival, the Howard County Fairgrounds, and countless individuals cannot be overstated. She was a teacher, mentor, artist, leader, volunteer, and friend whose passion for education, creativity, and community helped shape the Festival we know today.Many of us were fortunate to know Mary personally. Even in recent years, she continued to attend Festival meetings when she was able, reconnecting with the volunteers and friends who had worked alongside her for decades. Her wisdom, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the fiber arts inspired generations of volunteers, exhibitors, artists, and fairgoers.Mary's legacy lives on through the Home Arts Department, the Fine Arts and Photo Competitions, and the many traditions she helped establish and nurture. The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival exists today in part because of the vision, dedication, and countless hours of service that Mary and her fellow founders invested so many years ago.On behalf of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mary's family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her remarkable life. We are grateful for her contributions, her friendship, and the enduring example she set for all of us.Mary will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.Visitation will be held at Haight Funeral Home, Sykesville, Maryland, on June 17 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on June 18 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall. ... See MoreSee Less
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LOST AND FOUND!2026 MD Sheep & Wool If you lost an item at the Festival please contact gro.loowdnapeehs@ofni. We do have a few items that were left behind and will work with you to determine if any of them are yours! Glasses, wallets, journal, necklace, scarf, etc., etc. We'd like to see you reunited!! ... See MoreSee Less
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🐑 All the final details are coming together and we are excited to see everyone!!! Please expect heavy traffic on Sat am, so plan ahead! SO much to see and do all weekend! Come out and support local, small, creative owned businesses and agriculture at the #mdsw sheepandwool.org ... See MoreSee Less
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