A short history of Liberty Ridge Farm and Garden

Liberty Ridge Farm was established in 1974 in Verona, NY by Sunny and Tom Bixby. Sunny, a fifth generation shepherd, received her first Romney sheep as a birthday gift from Tom to make her own sweater from the fleece. Unknown to Tom and Sunny, Amy the sheep was expecting and then they had two. They bought a ram to call it a "flock" and swelled the flock over the next several years to a staggering 360 head of sheep with several breeds, including Tunis and Border Leicester. Sunny and Tom not only grew the flock, but also grew the farm into a full time business.


Sunny began teaching spinning lessons and processing wool for handspinners, knitters and crafters. They added Mohair goats, Angora rabbits and Border Collies to their menagerie. They attended Fiber and Craft shows throughout the US.


In 1984 Sunny was asked to speak at the World Congress of Colored Wool in Christ Church, New Zealand. Since then she has judged sheep and fleeces, held workshops and given classes all over the world.


The Family farm has transitioned over the years and while they don’t have quite so many sheep, Tom and Sunny still are active farmers and teachers. They have a small shop on the farm that carry essentials for handspinners, knitters, felters and people who just want to continue to learn new things. There are books on various subjects, spinning wheels, yarn, various kinds of exotic fibers, as well as finished handmade goods.


The farm also boasts a 28 foot mechanized carding machine.They continue to be vendors in some of the largest fiber festivals in the Northeast several times a year and to hold an annual open barn where guests can witness sheep shearing.