Sheep shearing schools announce upcoming dates
A handful of American Sheep Industry Association-supported shearing schools have announced their dates for 2018 and 2019. In many cases, the schools are also supported by the state sheep associations in the states where they are conducted.
To receive ASI support, schools must be at least three days, include classroom time emphasizing proper animal handling techniques, and provide ASI with a roster of students. In addition to learning to shear in a hands-on manner, the schools offer teaching on equipment, animal welfare and staying in shape for the physically demanding task. Equipment is supplied, but students are often encouraged to bring any equipment they have, as well.
These schools offer training for a wide variety of students—from hobby farmers looking to shear their own flocks to those with aspirations of shearing professionally.
Kansas Sheep Shearing School; Oct. 19 to 21 in Manhattan, Kansas. For information, contact Alison Crane at [email protected].
North Dakota Shearing School; Nov. 17 to 19, in Hettinger, North Dakota. For information, contact Christopher Schauer at [email protected] or visit www.ndsheep.org.
South Dakota Shearing School; Dec. 5 to 7, in Brookings, S.D. For information, contact Jeff Held at 605-690-7033, [email protected], or visit www.sdstate.edu/agriculture-biological-sciences/animal-science/sheep-shearing-school.
Utah State University Shearing School; Jan. 17 to 19, 2019, details to be announced.
Washington State Beginning Shearing School; April 2 to 6, 2019, in Moses Lake, Wash. An Advanced Shearing School is April 7, 2019, also in Moses Lake. For information, contact Sarah Smith at 509-754-2011, ext. 4313, [email protected], or visit www.wssp.org.
Tennessee Annual Shearing School; April 26 to 27, 2019, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. For information, contact Mark Powell at 615-519-7796, [email protected] or visit http://www.tennesseesheep.org.
