SOUTHEAST — Some of the rarest farm animals found anywhere in the world have moved onto the Tilly Foster Farm in Southeast thanks to philanthropist and businessman George Whipple.

The Kent resident will be participating Saturday in the official opening of the Tilly Foster Farm Museum that contains rare and endangered early American farm animals to help celebrate the agricultural heritage of Putnam County.

Whipple and the unusally marked Jacob sheep. Below, Randall cattle peacefully graze

Jacob sheep and Randall Lineback cattle are both on the list of endangered farm animals as promulgated by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Whipple said his Randall cattle are listed as “critically endangered. There are fewer that 200 of these magnificent animals in the entire world. We have seven of them but unfortunately only three are ‘ladies,’” he said with a wry grin.

Two of Whipple’s favorites are named General Israel Putnam which was the first Randall Lineback bull born in Putnam County. Another bull has been named Colonel Henry Ludington, the name of Revolutionary War heroine Sybil Ludington’s father. Sybil rode through the Putnam countryside on her horse in the middle of the night in the 18th century warning the colonists that the British were burning Danbury.

Randalls are medium-sized cattle that have historically been used for dairy and beef. They are defined by the lineback color pattern similar to other lineback breeds and have dark colored sides, feet, eye rings, ears and muzzles.

The animals are vigorous eaters and have strong survival instincts. Whipple said the Randall cattle were “gentle and easy to work with if handled on a daily basis.”

Randall Lineback cattle originated in New England in the 18th and 19th century.

Jacob sheep are small to medium in size weighing from 80 to 200 pounds. Whipple explained that the sheep’s coloration was basically white with black or lilac spots randomly distributed on the body: “At least 15-percent of each color must be present.”

Jacob sheep are an ancient breed that originated in Syria more than 3000 years ago. Jacob sheep were imported into the U.S. for game parks and zoos at the turn of the 20th century.

Whipple explained his goal was to “preserve the farm for the people of Putnam County. I want our residents to be able to experience farm life free of charge. The people of our great county own the farm and they should have abilities to visit it with their children and grandchildren and experience farm life.”

Whipple hopes to expand the project next year to include other farm animals: “This is THE Putnam County farm. Everyone should visit and enjoy it!”

Whipple’s initiative results from his private family initiated not-for-profit educational organization established in 1999 to foster the preservation of the historic architectural character and natural environment of the county. The Whipple Foundation works with non-profit organizations and governmental agencies that are engaged in activities that promote conservation of Putnam’s built, natural and historic environments.