A Tribute to Susan Briggs
On July 15, 2008, we lost a very dear friend and mentor.
Susan Briggs was a remarkable woman. Her strength and endurance are to be envied. We met Susan for the first time early in 2003. After a year of researching different breeds of sheep, we had fallen in love with Icelandics. Susan was just settling in on her new farm in Bunker, MO. She had moved her entire flock from Montana and there was much work to be done. At that time, Susan was 60+, working a 300-acre farm with more than 300 animals in her flock, with minimal help from anyone.
Little did we know at the time, how fortunate for us, that Susan had chosen this part of the country for her new home. Frances was visiting with her from NY and told us that we were in very knowledgeable hands. We were indeed!
After seeing her beautiful animals, we were ready to take them home, but Susan insisted that we wait until fall. She wanted to make sure that the animals were going to do OK in this southern climate. Reluctantly we agreed to come back later in the summer to “pick out” our first Icelandic sheep.
In the mean time, we learned as much from Susan as we could. We helped with some task on each of our visits to Tongue River Farm. We eagerly jumped into moving fence to make new paddocks for the flock, skirted fleece, fed hay, tattooed/tagged ears and gave de-wormer. Whatever her task of the day was, we wanted to be a part of it. That experience has benefited us over the years.
Susan was always there when we needed advice or someone to listen. During our first lambing season, we had a ewe in trouble. Susan took our call at midnight and gave us her best advice. Unfortunately, the ewe was too small to deliver her lamb and we lost both of them. Susan said she had never had this happen with any of her ewes and replaced the ewe at no cost. This is a true testament to her integrity and honor.
She was an amazing shepherdess who cared deeply for her animals until the end. Even during the final round up, she was most concerned that they be well fed and stressed as little as possible, before traveling to their new homes.
We will miss this dear friend and mentor. Her knowledge of this breed and her ability to make a living solely from her flock is to be admired. We are honored to assist with the sale of her remaining products. We also hope to carry on her work, with the highest quality of breeding stock and fiber possible.
