Oregon Shepherd

Oregon Shepherd,  LLC is a small Oregon-based sheep wool products development company formed in 2002 by Joel and Kay Pynch and Margaret Magruder. The owners have a lifetime involvement in agriculture with a specific interest in sheep and wool.

For over 40 years, Margaret Magruder has been an active partner in Magruder Farms, previously a diversified livestock operation, now primarily engaged in sheep production.  Margaret received her Bachelor’s Degree from Willamette University (Salem, Oregon) and a Masters Degree from Syracuse University (New York).

Ms. Magruder initiated and managed a project exploring alternative uses of wool for the Oregon Sheep Growers Association (OSGA), resulting in several innovative new products that are being developed and tested.  This work led quite naturally to the formation of Oregon Shepherd, LLC and the development of a business and marketing plan to bring these products to market.

Joel and Kay  Pynch raise sheep, cattle, ryegrass and horses on their Halsey, Oregon farm. Joel received a bachelor degree in agriculture education from Oregon State University and was a vocational agriculture teacher for more than 30 years. He has served on multiple boards relating to agri-business including president of the Oregon Vocational Educators Association and project coordinator for the Oregon Lamb Board. His broad and lengthy experience in the hands-on application of equipment and processes is brought to bear in design and implementation of the process lines for production of the insulation materials.  Joel’s broad background includes more than 10 years as a general building contractor.  Kay brings her experience in advertising, media sales and design to the mix to round out the ownership team.