Vermont Shearing School
April 9, 2016 at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT and April 10, 2016 atMerck Forest and Farmland Center. Rupert, VT
The Vermont Sheep and Goat Breeders Association in conjunction with UVM Extension will sponsor two Vermont Sheep Shearing Schools this year: April 9th at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT and April 10th at Merck Forest and Farm Center, Rupert, VT. These are beginner / intermediate sheep shearing schools. Participants will have a hands-on experience shearing sheep with the guidance of professional shearers. All aspects of shearing will be discussed including shearing day preparations, equipment set up and basic maintenance, fitness, the shearing pattern, sheep handling and control and basic wool handling. Participants will receive a shearing binder that covers all the course work and has a wealth of additional pertinent information. Also, this year we will give instruction for shepherds on how to crutch and deal with fly strike. Even if you are not interested in shearing sheep for a living the course will offer valuable information to the shepherd regarding the process and the equipment.
Participants should have their own equipment. Oster Shearmasters or equivalent electric machines are ideal. There will be a limited number of loaners available for the day. We will also have a grinding wheel available for combs and cutters. We will supply coffee and bagels, participants should bring a bag lunch. We will try and coax our own “Old Shepherd”, Chet Parsons, out of retirement to come and give us a hand. If we can, we’ll have some entertainment for lunch!
The cost for the complete course at either location is $150.00. The course is also open for auditing without the actual shearing for $50. If you are interested in a career in shearing or improving your shearing skills, you should consider attending both days for $275.00. The VSGBA offersone scholarship a year for young shearers (The Dan Korngeibel Scholarship).You can contact VSGA president Bay Hammond at to get further details on the scholarship. Schools start at 8:30am and usually wind up around 3pm (or when all the sheep are sheared). We have limited openings this year so register early.
To register or for more information call 802-483-2463 or email Jim McRae at .
Jim McRae