Guess who’s back in town?
After a hiatus since 2024, a herd of sheep made a triumphant return to the historic Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, gracing the Dell, the cemetery’s natural burial section, with their presence on Thursday.
“We had previously collaborated with (SUNY) Cobleskill,” shared Dan Bratd, a dedicated Vale volunteer and secretary. ”They generously brought sheep a few times, but couldn’t make it last year, so we had to find another herd.”
A trailer carrying 23 sheep arrived at the cemetery around 10 a.m., ready to tackle the overgrown plot of land. Under the watchful eye of their owner and caretaker, Dr. Judy Saint Leger, the sheep quickly got to work, efficiently clearing the wildflowers, grass, and weeds.
“We strive to provide the sheep with the best life possible until their final day,” said Saint Leger. She and her husband, Marc Kratzschmar, oversee more than 100 sheep across eight solar farms in Montgomery and Fulton County.
“Our farm is a testament to love,” she added. “My husband and I have been partners for over 35 years and we manage the sheep together as a team. It’s all about producing good, wholesome food for ourselves and our community.”
The Dell, which opened in 2014, was a labor of love for the late Vale board member Frank Gilmore. In this unique section of the cemetery, bodies are returned directly to the earth without the use of caskets, embalming, or any other method that might interfere with the natural decomposition process.
Today, the sheep volunteers are instrumental in fulfilling Gilmore’s vision of a pesticide-free, all-natural burial site.
Kratzschmar, watching alongside his wife, admired the flock’s mob-grazing technique, noting its benefits for the soil. After assisting a white lamb’s head out of a fence, he took a moment to appreciate the sight of his sheep serving the community.
“It’s important to pause every so often and truly appreciate where you are,” Kratzschmar said, as his black lamb Token grazed nearby.
Given that the Dell only requires two mows each summer, the couple and their sheep are scheduled to lend a hand once more this season.
“We’re looking forward to returning later this summer,” Saint Leger said. By the end of the visit, she and Kratzschmar had decided to name her white lamb Vale, in honor of the cemetery.
Agree – Sheep grazing can help maintain the beauty of the cemetery grounds and save on landscaping costs.
Disagree – Sheep could potentially damage headstones and overall disturb the peacefulness of the cemetery.
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