Daniel Fagerman Archives - Inspired Southerner

Sustainable food and farming

Fagerman is the sole distributor and registrar of this breed of sheep in the Americas. Australian White is a low-maintenance, hair replacing breed that produces a Wagyu quality meat.

Inspired Southerner Australian White Sheep — Australian White sheep provide a sustainable food source. Photo by Iven V. Holt

Fagerman recently introduced the breed at a symposium held at his farm in Hartselle, Alabama. Those who participated in the symposium learned how to become a producer of the breed.

Additionally, attendees learned that Australian White sheep have less impact on the environment. Like goats, these sheep eat grass, brush, trees, and shrubbery. These sheep are a more sustainable food source for communities.

Inspired Southerner Fagerman Farm — Graham Gilmore of Tattykeel Farm in Australia produced the Australian White. Photo by Iven V. Holt

“The introduction of the Australian White in the United States is a history-makingevent. And it happened right here in the state of Alabama,” said Daniel Fagerman. “I also wanted to show farmers and producers a livestock that is sustainable and which produces a high-end quality meat product. This sheep revolutionizes the lamb industry.”

After-Party at Fagerman Farms

To showcase what makes lamb special, Fagerman planned an after-party. The event attracted Alabama politicians, the Alabama Farmers Federation, and other high-level state representatives.

Fagerman enlisted the talent of Huntsville chef Rick Vonk to cook the Australian White lamb. To create the perfect meal, Vonk solicited help from chef Jon Jackson of Columbus, Georgia and Matthew Deaton a pitmaster from Washington, DC. They put together a dream-team for the event.

Cooking Australian White

To preserve the meat’s flavor, Vonk and Jackson first experimented with the meat. They decided to cook the meat on two Kudu Grills over an open flame. They knew that this method would be the best way to retain its flavor. Jackson used Africa Brii wood for the fire.

Inspired Southerner Cooking lamb — Two Kudu Grills to cook the lamb over an open fire. He used Africa Brii wood for the fire. Photo by Iven V. Holt

“I have never experienced anything like this breed of sheep. The lamb has this amazing micro-marbling that I have never seen in lamb ever. It’s so tender and melts in your mouth and there is nothing, let me say that again, there is nothing that even comes close to this quality,” said Jon Jackson, owner of Comfort Farms.

Attendees raved about each dish that was presented by Vonk and his team.

“What a humbling, eye-opening week this has been. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the opportunity I was given by the Fagermans to prepare the dinner for their debut event of the Australian White lamb,” said chef Rick Vonk. “I also would like to say that I am eternally grateful to my team, Matthew Deaton and Jon Jackson for their willingness to travel and work with me on this history-making event.”

Inspired Southerner Jon Jackson — Jon Jackson of Columbus, Georgia explains the cooking process. Photo by Iven V. Holt

Fagerman hopes to make the Australian White dinner an annual event at Fagerman Farm.

Sustainable Farming

As part of a sustainable farming network in Alabama, Daniel Fagerman is hoping to show attendees what makes Australian White USA so appealing. T Australian White sheep have less of an impact on the environment than cows; They also graze and browse. Like goats, not only do they eat grass, but they also eat brush, trees, and shrubbery.

“These sheep are more appealing to producers because of their conversion of feed, their rapid rate of growth, their uniformity and ability to adapt to their environment,” said Fagerman. “These lambs have been successfully produced in the extreme cold of Mongolia and in the dry heat of Australia.”

Australian White Healthier Lamb

Australian White sheep are exceptional because they have been selectively bred for their meat quality. Their meat has lower fat-melting points, increased Omega 3’s, and increased intramuscular fat. Many people in the United States have a negative view of the lamb because it tastes gamey, but with the Australian White lamb, there is a significant taste difference.

Australian White Symposium

“This meat has similar positive effects of Wagyu,” Fagerman added. “In addition, the increase in Omega 3’s as compared to other lamb or red meat gives you a major health benefit and the “melt in your mouth” effect because of its fat-melting points. This factor gives people a much better eating experience. They have found these same two attributes in Wagyu also are in the Australian White sheep lamb meat, which gives consumers a more palatable taste. There is no other breed of sheep in the world that has been developed with these improved traits to provide a better consumer dining experience. Which means this product is more consistent in delivering these same values, over and over.”

Farmers and producers from all over the world are expected to attend the Australian White USA Symposium and Breed Debut to learn how to develop the breed, and the plan for its expansion across the U.S. and Central and South America.

Fagerman Farms After Party

Following the symposium, attendees and the general public will have the opportunity to see what makes Australian White lamb so special at the Fagerman Farm After Party. Chef Rick Vonk, an award-winning chef from Huntsville, Alabama will prepare the dinner. Vonk has put together a special six-course menu that will give guests a sampling of how the lamb can be cooked. “This dinner will be an eye-opening, history-making culinary experience,” said Rick Vonk. “Whatever preconceived opinions people have about lamb will hopefully be proven wrong at this dinner.”

After dinner, guests will be entertained by Brandon Elder, a season 16 American Idol contestant.

Get Your Ticket to the After Party

Don’t miss your chance to attend this once in a lifetime dinner. You will make history! Tickets are $100 per person. Click here to buy your ticket.

Alabama farmer introduces Australian White sheep to farmers from all over the world

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