TrueChurro™

TrueChurro™: A Fresh Perspective of the Churro’s Role in Culture, Conservation, and Agriculture

Rio Milagro Foundation is proud to introduce TrueChurro™, not as a new breed registration, but as an initiative that celebrates, safeguards, and creates economic incentives to protect the most primitive of the Churro sheep. Through the TrueChurro™ initiative, we have created a "fresh approach" to re-evaluating the vital role the Churros have in cultural identity, agriculture, and conservation.

TrueChurro™ Initiative:

— Recognizes and redefines the most primitive traits of the Churro sheep and its wool, reigniting appreciation for the resiliency of the Churro in range management and bringing notice to their coarse but resilient three-fiber fleece.

This paradigm shift from trying to “improve” the adaptive traits to fit into a more modern idea of livestock to viewing them more as “Range Doctors” will transform how we approach and prioritize soil preservation through new practices, research, and community involvement. We will do this by using Churros and their wool as its catalyst for rangeland health in a drying and heating climate.

— Acknowledges the Conservation Significance of Churro Sheep
The Churro sheep's distinct traits and deep historical significance uniquely position it to make substantial contributions to the evolving realms of cultural heritage, agriculture, and conservation. Recognizing the inherent value and significance of these exceptional attributes is crucial in reshaping the narrative of the Churro sheep. This strategic approach will enhance its cultural revival and fortify agricultural and conservation initiatives, underscoring the economic importance of its cultural heritage.

What TrueChurro™ will do:

— TrueChurro™ locates and discerns the most primitive flocks and through our TrueChurro™ initiative, provides support and assistance with economic incentives created by our program to the shepherds that protect them.

Using our trademark, which identifies the primitive churro, in research and sustainable product development will allow us to create a community. We are laying the foundation for a strong, cohesive, and influential collaborative collective. This will foster a sense of unity and belonging among our collaborators, as they see their contributions being recognized and promoted under a shared identity. This will encourage continued engagement and participation in our research and development efforts.

We advocate for and encourage other groups, such as the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association and the Livestock Conservancy, that support and promote the preservation of the Churro.

— Pioneer holistic approaches that protect water and soil integrity and support thriving ecosystems and the livelihoods of shepherds and farmers. This is all done by protecting and restoring the Churro genetics.

What makes a Churro unique?

The most primitive genetics of the Churro sheep have unique adaptations that help them withstand the extreme climate conditions seen in current weather patterns worldwide.

They possess relict characteristics or genetic variants that are either absent in most modern domestic stock or exist only in rare breeds. However, they also carry several non-visible traits that have allowed them to survive, such as disease resistance, adaption to marginal food sources, and the ability to travel long distances without water.

The genetic variability and relic characteristics are critical to their ability to help us.

You can learn more here.