New Windsor farmers start first sheep dairy in Maryland, make artisan cheese
Carrie Ann Knauer – Times Staff Writer – Sept, 2012
NEW WINDSOR – Tucked on the outskirts of New Windsor, Shepherds Manor Creamery is the first sheep dairy in Maryland, making artisan cheeses and delicate soaps from their sheep’s milk, which they sell at special events such as The Maryland Wine Festival in Westminster Sept. 15 and 16.
Ten years ago, owners Colleen and Michael Histon couldn’t have guessed that the farm and cheese making business would be in their future. When their children were in 4-H, it was normal to have a few market lambs, of the meat variety, or a dairy heifer in their 2.5-acre back yard in Mount Airy. Once the kids got older and moved on, Colleen continued to raise a few lambs as a personal source of meat, and even got into showing them at the local fairs.