American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

Survival or extinction. That’s what is at stake for more than 150 breeds
of livestock and poultry…  these beautiful, historic and useful breeds could be lost.
—ALBC Executive Director Charles Bassett.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 180 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Included are donkeys, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

Founded in 1977, ALBC is the pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock. ALBC’s mission is to ensure the future of agriculture through genetic conservation and the promotion of endangered breeds of livestock and poultry.

Livestock and poultry were once valued for their services as much as for their products. They controlled weeds, insects, and brush, and gleaned gardens, fields, and orchards.

Today’s industrialized agriculture values only the most productive of breeds. But agriculture is continually changing, and a growing number of people are seeking to build an agriculture that is at once sustainable, productive, and humane. This new agriculture needs exactly what endangered breeds have to offer:

• thriftiness
• hardiness
• self-sufficiency
• intelligence
• easy births
• good mothering ability
• long lives

Each year Carolina FiberFest holds a raffle in support of a non-profit organization. For 2012, CFF has chosen American Livestock Breeds Conservancy to receive 100% of all raffle ticket sales. When you attend CFF, please purchase your tickets at the information center and visit ALBC’s booth to learn more about its programs and services.

Photos and text courtesy of American Livestock Breeds Conservancy