Lange's Rock Farm

Silvia Lange produces environmentally friendly, fabulous sheepskins

Silvia Lange's sheepskins are made from the family's three flocks of free range sheep. Depending on the weather, the barn doors are left open giving the animals access to pasture - about 40 acres in all.

The sheep are protected by their ever-vigilante guard llama. When he hears the howl of coyotes or perceives any threat, he quickly rounds up his animals and drives them home to safety.

Lange's sheepskins are not washable - but, in this case, it's a good thing. Heavy toxins are used to create a washable sheepskin. Silvia chooses a different tanning techniques - using alum in an environmentally safer process.

How to clean alum tanned sheepskins? Brushing and airing them out goes a long way. Wiping the wool side with a moist cloth and mild soap will get rid of most stains. In medieval times, pelts were taken outside in the midst of winter when the snow was very dry. The pelts, hair side down, were rubbed on the snow back and forth, then the snow was shaken out of the pelt. Try it - this method still works! If absolutely necessary, dry clean.

Sheepskins have a variety of uses ranging from chronic pain relief to decor enhancing. Many people who deal with daily pain sit, lie or sleep on sheepskins. As well, they bring warmth to a person who is easily chilled. They look inviting on a chair - or the floor - at the foot of a favourite rocking chair or in front of a cozy fire.

Lange's quality sheep fleece
Supplying spinners, weavers and fabric artists
Lukas' Shearing Services are on the move

The Langes have a steady supply of good clean fleece. Having two mixed breed flocks along with the pure breed Cotswold sheep allows them to offer a wide selection of multi colour fleece - and more than one quality - to fabric artists, weavers and spinners.

Lukas Lange is the family's shearer, and as such his Nova Scotia shearing services are called on by owners of sheep, angora goats, llamas and alpacas. He works on the family farm in Maplewood, Nova Scotia or on location - and sometimes offshore when the grazing flock is settled on an island pasture.

The Lange's free range goats number about a dozen. They don't graze in the same pasture as the sheep. If you're not in a hurry to have your land cleared, they do an excellent job of ridding it of unwelcome brush and bushes. "They'll eat anything," Silvia says. "It is more responsible than using herbicides to kill brush and bushes."

A goatskin is a more unusual product than the traditional sheepskin. Goat hair is longer and finer and patterns are more obvious. They look attractive on a chair, the floor or a wall.

Lange's throws and blankets (small Queen size) are made from 100 per cent wool. Most are natural colours. A low acid dye is used in the coloured blankets. To fix the dye, hot water and vinegar is used - the safest process for those with allergies and sensitivities.