Local Dahl sheep featured on PBS

BELEN — Belen was featured in a recent PBS episode of “Colores!” focusing on the local herd of New Mexico Dahl sheep, a rare heritage hair sheep.

The premiere of this episode was streamed at the Belen Public Library, as part of the ongoing commitment to bring arts and cultural events to Belen’s historic downtown.

Donald Chavez, the local rancher profiled in the documentary, introduced the program and responded to questions following the premiere. The audience asked about the characteristics of these distinctive sheep, a cross between Coronado’s domesticated meat sheep from Spain and wild bighorn sheep of North America.

Chavez’s Terra Patre Farm, part of the Belen Land Grant, serves as a preserve for this unique and endangered breed.

“They are part of the heritage of New Mexico for 500 years, so deserve to be preserved,” Chavez noted.