At Fresh Valley Farms, we are proud to work with a small group of trusted farm partners who share our values, our standards, and our commitment to doing things well. Robson Valley Sheep Co. is one of those partners, and they raise all of the lamb we offer.
Robson Valley Sheep Co.
Robson Valley Sheep Co. is located near McBride, British Columbia, on the fertile bottom lands of the Robson Valley along the Fraser River. The farm spans hundreds of acres of certified organic pasture, forest edge, and wetland, including river frontage and bird habitat that supports local and migratory species.
Their grazing system is intentionally low-pressure and highly rotational. In many cases, sheep do not return to the same paddock twice in a single calendar year. This approach supports pasture health, soil biology, and animal well-being, while producing exceptional meat.
The farm is owned and operated by Hanni and Theres Gasser, who have been farming organically for decades. Their sheep share the landscape with a small number of Angus beef cows, horses, and poultry, all managed as part of an integrated, low-input farm system.
The land may look wild, but nothing here is accidental. Every decision reflects careful planning, constant observation, and a deep respect for animals and ecosystems.
The lamb raised on this land is 100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished, certified organic, shaped by diverse forage, clean water, and time outdoors. The result is lamb that is deeply flavorful, tender, and consistently excellent.
“We are a certified organic sheep farm located in the beautiful Robson Valley. Animal welfare is our main priority. We offer grass fed lamb.”
– Robson Valley Sheep Co.
From Switzerland to British Columbia
Hanni and Theres Gasser immigrated to British Columbia from Switzerland in 1988 with their young family. Hanni had just completed a four-year agricultural college program that combined classroom study with hands-on apprenticeship, including advanced training in organic farming.
After several years managing a biodynamic beef operation near Chase, BC, the Gassers began farming independently. In 1992, they founded Mountain Meadow Sheep Dairy, British Columbia’s first certified organic sheep milk dairy. For more than a decade, they produced sheep milk cheeses and yogurt that became well known at farmers’ markets across the province.
In 2006, they made a major transition, moving north to the Robson Valley and establishing what is now Robson Valley Sheep Co. The property they purchased had not been actively farmed for many years. With no livable home on site, the Gassers converted an old equipment shop into a timber-frame house and workspace, using locally sourced beetle-killed pine and completing much of the work themselves.
Meet the farmers: Hanni and Teres Gasser
Hanni Gasser and Teres Gasser have been raising sheep since 1988. Their experience runs deep, and their farm has long been a quiet leader in small-scale, values-driven livestock farming in British Columbia.
At one time, the Gassers owned BC’s first sheep milk dairy, producing beautiful cheeses that were sold at farmers’ markets across the province. In the early 1990s, a young Annelise was a regular visitor to the Kamloops Farmers’ Market, where she enthusiastically “sampled” those cheeses more times than anyone could reasonably count.
Decades later, that early connection has come full circle. Today, collaborating with the Gasser family is both professionally meaningful and personally special. It is a genuine pleasure to offer their lamb alongside the beef, pork, and poultry raised at Fresh Valley Farms.
A hardy, grass-based sheep system
The sheep at Robson Valley Sheep Co. are a carefully developed mix of breeds selected for hardiness, maternal strength, and the ability to thrive on grass and hay alone. No grain is fed.
The flock typically ranges from 100 to 300 mother sheep, depending on hay production in a given year. Sheep live outdoors year-round, with the exception of lambing season, when ewes are brought closer to the farm buildings for close monitoring.
This system produces lamb that is:
- 100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished
- Certified Organic
- Raised without grain
- Shaped by diverse forage and a northern climate
The result is lamb that is flavorful, tender, and consistent.
Rotational grazing that follows nature
Rotational grazing is central to how the Gassers farm. Sheep are moved frequently, often weekly, and never left on pasture long enough for parasites to complete their life cycle. Electric fencing allows for small, flexible paddocks that are easy to adjust.
This grazing pattern mirrors natural ruminant movement through valley bottoms in spring and winter, with access to higher pastures in summer and fall. Multi-species grazing is also used, with cattle and horses following sheep through fields to disrupt parasite cycles and improve pasture utilization.
Combined with regular haying, this approach means sheep often do not return to the same paddock more than once in a calendar year.
When parasites do appear, the Gassers rely on a custom herbal dewormer they developed themselves, made from wormwood, fennel seed, and gentian. They now grow their own wormwood to ensure a reliable supply.
Low machinery, thoughtful systems
Robson Valley Sheep Co. operates with minimal machinery. Aside from haying and fencing equipment, most pasture management is done by hand and by animals.
Seeds are broadcast into pasture by hand or added to cattle mineral, allowing livestock to distribute seed naturally while fertilizing at the same time. This slower, lower-cost approach reduces soil disturbance and keeps systems simple.
Winter feeding is designed to minimize waste. Sheep are allowed first access to hay bales to select the most nutrient-dense portions. Cattle then follow to clean up remaining forage. This system supports animal nutrition, reduces waste, and keeps the farm dogs busy year-round.
Dogs, predators, and coexistence
Predator pressure is significant in the Robson Valley. To protect the flock, the Gassers rely on livestock guardian dogs, primarily Akbash and Akbash-cross crosses. These dogs live with the sheep full-time and are bonded to the flock from puppyhood.
Herding is handled by Border Collies and a New Zealand Huntaway, moving sheep calmly and efficiently between paddocks. Thanks to this system, livestock losses are extremely low despite the presence of wolves, coyotes, and other predators.
Why we work together
Robson Valley Sheep Co. aligns closely with Fresh Valley Farms in philosophy and practice. Their commitment to certified organic farming, grass-based livestock systems, rotational grazing, and long-term land care reflects the same values that guide our own farm.
This partnership allows us to offer lamb we trust completely, raised by farmers with decades of experience and deep respect for animals and land.
Ordering lamb
Whole and half lamb reservations open seasonally, with pickups typically beginning in mid-November. Individual cuts are restocked later in the season once pre-orders are filled.
We are proud to work with Hanni and Theres Gasser and grateful to share their exceptional lamb with the Fresh Valley Farms community.