About Us

The Shepherdess

Shepherdess holding newborn Angora kid with dog and mountain in background
Laurie Morris was born in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and grew up in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley. As a kid, she grew up with horses in the backyard, making her “a country city kid” of sorts. Laurie completed her diploma in Animal Health Technology in Fairview, Alberta, and pursued a career working with horses on breeding farms and racetracks. She eventually returned to British Columbia to work with the BC Racing Commission as a Blood Gas Analysis Technician.

A New Beginning

One of Laurie's dreams was to own property - it’s something she feels she inherited from her mother’s Saskatchewan genes - so when the opportunity arose to purchase land along the North Thompson River, she jumped at the chance. She completed the provincial Environmental Farm Plan and started small by raising a few Berkshire pigs. Soon after, two Great Pyrenees dogs joined the ranch and the rescue of Josh the Jack Russell came next.

The Ranch

Laurie purchased a small flock of orphan Corriedales, and she quickly discovered her passion in sheep husbandry. She added white and coloured Romney ewes and a Romney ram to the flock and from there began concentrating her efforts toward raising dual-purpose sheep to grow her fine wool. Then one fine day a special addition joined the flock. It was JJ, the CVM/Romeldale ram. His fleece was entered into the 2013 All Canada Classic Sheep Show & Sale held in Barriere, BC... and won 1st prize in his category. This opened the doors to everything sheep, fleece, fibre, and yarn, and Disdero Ranch was officially established.

 

The Fibre Technician

Woman sitting under tree knitting in sheep pasture

Mona Fischer began working for Disdero Ranch in 2018 and has become a crucial  member of the team, participating in all aspects of fibre production. Sorting and selecting, organizing and cataloguing, Mona brings the Disdero yarn to life through her work knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, swatching, felting, dyeing, and experimenting. You can consult with Mona at our fibre show booths where she loves to chat, check out everyone's knitted wears, and gush over customers' finished objects.