Current Programs

Rebalancing our Ecosystem

Interconnectedness is at the heart of all the work Rio Milagro Foundation does. We are seamlessly melding experiences of the past to the present, as well as cultural roots with the hope of creating a better and more sustainable future.

Rio Milagro Foundation has 3 major motivating principles:

  1. The conservation of biodiversity

  2. The sustainable use of environmental resources

  3. The fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources

In 2023, Rio Milagro Foundation set out to accomplish 5 lofty goals; they encompassed big dreams years in the making, new ventures and blooming partnerships, and the steady continuation of our ongoing work. All with our mission to conserve primitive desert Churro sheep front and center, prioritizing research with our new wool lab, education on climate resilience, through example, all the while working to create collaborative win-win solutions for the environment, sheep, shepherds, producers, and their communities.

Our goals for 2023-24 -- 

·     Learning more about the best ways to use adaptive grazing to support both plant and insect communities.

·     Ongoing understanding about the partnership between landrace Churro sheep and microbial soil and plant ecology preservation in the west.

·       Research and test the unique kemp fiber, seen only in the most primitive Churro fleeces, as a soil microbial boost, toxin filtration, and insulative fiber.

·       Research and implement Churro’s grazing habits to quantify their ability to support Biocrust rangeland health.

·     Establish a coalition of Churro shepherds, new shepherds, and interested folks, that will join us in protecting the old type churro. These meaningful collaborations are an essential part of the solution in protecting biodiversity, our soils, water, and rangelands.

Current Programs

Soil Initiative Development

Research and product development using Churro sheep in soil initiative projects. Projects include increasing soil nutrients, water holding capacities and increasing beneficial mycorrhizal networks. Research Churro grazing methods that will conserve rangelands and contribute to climate solutions.

Flock Expansion, Support, and Sponsorship

Support flocks throughout New Mexico that understand the value of the Churro sheep. Funds will be used to directly sponsor shepherds with feed and infrastructure needs. We will also sponsor flocks that meet the landrace Churro criteria.

Churro Fiber Research

Creation of a Wool Lab for research. Research the unique nature of a Churro’s three fiber fleece (two fiber + kemp) and use the findings for economic incentives to revitalize collaborative regional use of the Churro. Baseline genetic testing for the primitive Churro.

Churro Meat Development

Develop niche food markets for sheep recognized by the TrueChurro™ initiative. Increased numbers will allow for the development of a sustainable meat market highlighting gastronomic values and building a local, healthy, equitable and sustainable food system. Their exceptional meat quality of taste (high in Omega-3 and low in fat) will stimulate higher demand and, in turn, contribute to larger and more resilient populations.

We understand the necessity to apply our learned knowledge from the Churro sheep research to other regionally adapted species. As the Foundation grows, we envision the application of our approach to other landraces and other observed phenomena worldwide.