American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization working to save over 180 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Founded in 1977, ALBC is the pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock. ALBC’s mission is to strengthen the future of agriculture through genetic conservation and the promotion of endangered breeds of livestock and poultry.

What does ALBC do?
ALBC is a catalyst for rare breed conservation. ALBC uses research, education, outreach, marketing and promotion, and genetic rescues to help ensure the future of rare breed agriculture.

ALBC works directly with farmers to bridge the gap between conservation theory and on-farm practice. We provide educational materials, information, resources, training, and consultation to equip farmers with the tools necessary to successfully raise and market rare breeds of livestock and poultry. The end-result is the effective conservation of rare breeds.

Conservation of heritage breeds:
• protects our food system by securing genetic resources;
• ensures broad genetic diversity for the evolution of agriculture;
• retains valuable genetic traits such as disease resistance, survival, self-sufficiency, fertility, longevity, foraging ability, maternal instincts, and more.
• captures our heritage, history and culture;
• maintains breeds of animals that are well-suited for sustainable, grass-based and organic systems;
• gives small family farms a competitive edge in the challenging economics of small scale production.