The Hopkins story:
Polly has been raising and showing sheep for over forty-five years, starting with Southdowns as a 4-H project.
Kevin “married into” showing sheep in his twenties but had raised Hampshire market lambs on his family's
farm.  Today the Border Leicester is the breed of choice on the farm.  There are approximately 30 brood
ewes, mostly Border Leicesters and a few Natural Coloreds (medium wool).  The Hopkins' Border Leicesters
have been shown locally as well as nationally and have done quite well for themselves.  Sarah and
Christopher are third generation ‘sheep showmen’. Sarah started in the show ring at the age of 3 with a
Hampshire bottle lamb. She started her own flock of Cheviots when she was about 8 years old and continued
on thru high school with 4-H and FFA animal projects. In 2009 Sarah sold the last of her Cheviots. Sarah
graduated from College of St. Rose in Albany and now lives in Gloversville, New York, with her husband, Jack
Jakeman. They are involved in the Natural Colored Border Leciester flock,  have created their own 'farm'  
Some Day Soon Farm,  show at local fairs in New York and meet up with the rest of the family at the Eastern
States Exposition in Massachusetts.  Christopher got his first sheep (a white Corriedale) "Amanda" when he
was about 4 yrs., but started showing with Natural Coloreds in 4-H at 9 years old.  He continued his sheep
project thru high school in 4-H and FFA. Chris graduated from Keene State College in May of 2010 with a
major in Journalism and Minor in Film.  Chris was employed at "The Banner" magazine of Cuba, Illinois, as
Assistant Editor for a while but decided to move back to New England. He formerly worked for the Glocester
Advocate (a local monthly newspaper), and works part-time for Eastern States Exposition, Ag Department.  
Chris still is involved in showing his small elite flock of Natural Coloreds.  The Hopkins strive to raise correct
sheep that follow breed type and that will do well in the show or sale ring
and on the farm.  Good fleeces on
the wool breeds are important, as well as the temperament of the animals on the farm. Also just as important
is the milking ability and easy lambing in the brood ewe flock.  All four Hopkins were involved in the Aries 4-H
Club as members and Leaders.  In 2009, Polly and Kevin stepped down as Leaders after over 30 years, but
the family still supports youth activities. Sarah  is a Co-Chair of the North East Youth Sheep Show held in July
each year in West Springfield, Massachusetts and was the past editor of the American Border Leicester
Association’s quarterly newsletter. Christopher helped to run the local county 4-H sheep show each year
during his colleges years and helps out at the North East Youth Sheep Show.  Polly is a past Director of the
American Border Leicester Association, also served as President and Treasurer.  She is on the Board of
the  Rhode Island Sheep Cooperative, editor of their newsletter, Co-chairperson of the Rhody Warm Blanket
Committee, previously a member of the annual Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival Committee, Director-at-
Large of the New England Sheep & Wool Growers Association,  and a committee member of the Annual
New England Fall  Fiber Festival at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds. The Hopkins family are
members of the New England Sheep & Wool Growers, American Border Leicester Association, Natural
Colored Wool Growers Association, Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, New Hampshire Sheep
Breeders Association, and the Rhode Island Sheep Cooperative.
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