OUR STORY
Promoting Ethical and Sustainable Practices in the New Mexico Hair Sheep Industry
The New Mexico Hair Sheep Producers (NMHSP) is a producer-led cooperative dedicated to strengthening New Mexico’s sheep industry. Founded in 2024 by Debra Jameson and Chantal Orosco, NMHSP was created to solve a pressing challenge: the lack of viable markets for sheep in our state. Today, we are turning that challenge into opportunity by building a sustainable, profitable, and community-driven market for hair sheep.
OUR MISSION
We exist to empower New Mexico hair sheep producers by
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Creating consistent market access for lamb meat
Enhancing profitability through fair pricing
Providing education and resources to producers
Promoting sustainable ranching practices
Fostering a cooperative community that works together for shared success
OUR JOURNEY
Sheep ranching has deep roots in New Mexico. In the 1850s, our state led the West in sheep numbers, sending hundreds of thousands of sheep to markets across the country. By 1890, New Mexico was producing nine million pounds of wool annually.
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But as time passed, markets shifted and many producers were left without reliable outlets for their animals. Recognizing this gap, Debra and Chantal launched NMHSP in July 2024 to restore profitability to producers while preserving New Mexico’s proud sheep legacy.