Our Story

Our Roots

In the rolling countryside of Newbury, Ohio, you’ll find the latest chapter in a story that began more than six decades ago, when a suburban boy found his calling in the gentle art of shepherding and eventually created skincare products to harness nature's own healing wisdom.

Ben Calkins has been raising high-quality sheep for more than 60 years, having started when he was just a child. He takes great pride in his work and spares nothing when it comes to their care. Few people in the industry have his level of experience. "There aren't that many people doing it now,” Ben says.

The idea for High Meadow Skincare emerged from daily observation of the flock at Shady Hill Farms, where Ben has spent decades refining elite genetics in the farm’s Polled Dorset and Suffolk sheep, ensuring each generation is of exceptional quality. A commitment to selective breeding has created a flock that consistently excels in both phenotype and genotype.

One keen observation led to a profound realization: the same natural wax that protects sheep from harsh elements could offer extraordinary protection for human skin. "I first thought that lanolin must have curative properties when I noticed cuts on the sheep when they get sheared, and they quickly healed," Ben explains. 

The Natural Difference

The sheep at Shady Hill Farms graze freely across our meadows, following the rhythm of seasons—just as nature intended. "We do graze them for as much of the year as we can," Ben explains. "This makes a real impact in the quality of lanolin they produce."

Research shows that pastoral feeding methods lead to a more favorable fatty acid profile throughout an animal's system. While most studies focus on meat composition, evidence suggests a sheep's diet directly influences lanolin quality. This natural lanolin serves as a valuable source of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) used in nutritional supplements. Consequently, lanolin from grass-fed sheep may be richer in beneficial omega-3s and possess enhanced healing properties compared to mass-produced alternatives.

The humane process of harvesting lanolin is fascinating. After shearing—a necessary procedure for the sheep's health and comfort—the wool undergoes washing. "The lanolin is extracted through a spinning process similar to a centrifuge," Ben explains. This natural wax is then meticulously refined and purified before becoming the foundation of our skincare line.

The High Meadow Promise

When you purchase a High Meadow product, you're connected to people who care deeply about quality. Ben Calkings, our founder with more than 60 years of shepherding experience, watches over our flock of 45 sheep grazing across 52 acres of Ohio countryside. His family has contributed to the farm's legacy and helps maintain the highest standards with our products’ formulators.

"We spare nothing in terms of how we care for sheep," Ben says, a philosophy that applies equally to how we craft our products.

Our approach stands in stark contrast to most mass-market skincare products that rely on synthetic ingredients to mask problems. High Meadow offers genuine healing derived from nature's own protective substance. We've chosen to focus exclusively on what works—high-quality lanolin from grass-fed sheep—rather than following trends or cutting corners.

In a world where family farms are disappearing and agricultural traditions are being lost, High Meadow stands as a living example of sustainable farming practices that have sustained communities for generations. When you choose High Meadow, you're connecting to a sixty-year legacy of shepherding excellence and supporting sustainable agriculture that values both the land and the animals that graze it.

From our meadows to your skin—that's the High Meadow difference.