High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) (formerly the American Minor Breeds Conservancy) is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock. Founded in 1977 through the efforts of livestock breed enthusiasts concerned at the disappearance of many of the US`s heritage livestock breeds, the ALBC was the pioneer livestock preservation organization in the United States, and remains a leading organization in that field. It has initiated programs that have saved multiple breeds from extinction, and works closely with similar organizations in other countries, including Rare Breeds Canada. With 3,000 members, a 9-person staff and a 19-member board of directors, the ALBC has an operating budget of almost half a million dollars.