American Heritage Fleece Buying Association is organized to preserve and promote heritage sheep, and other heritage fleece animals, which are at risk of decline or complete loss of the breed. As a buying group, preservation of at-risk breeds will be pursued by the creation of broader market opportunities. Association purchases of herd fleeces for processing and sale will fund grant assistance as needed to preserve and protect the heritage breeds. The Association will target at risk sheep breeds, including but not limited to Gulf Coast Native, American Shetland, and Navajo Churro sheep, as well as other fleece animal breeds, designated by the fiber industry to be in decline. Public and breed owner education concerning preservation of fleece animal breeds at risk of loss is a goal of the organization.