Agricultural Sciences

Extension offering sheep shearing workshops

The workshops are aimed at beginning shearers but experienced producers may attend. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Extension will offer sheep shearing workshops across the state this year for those interested in learning about sheep shearing and basic sheep management.

Co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Sheep and Wool Growers Association, workshops are scheduled for the following dates and sites:

--April 24-25, Tyler Hill, northeast Pennsylvania, 5 to 9 p.m. (both evenings).

--May 2-3, Scenery Hill, southwest Pennsylvania, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (both days).

--May 8-9, Grove City, northwest Pennsylvania, 5 to 9 p.m. (both evenings).

--Sept. 8-9, Penn State University Park campus, 5 to 9 p.m. (both evenings).

Topics to be covered during the sheep shearing workshops include professional shearing patterns, tagging and eyeing, equipment maintenance and repair, wool handling, and preparation and basic sheep care.

"The workshops are aimed at beginning shearers but experienced people may attend," said Walt Bumgarner, Fayette County extension educator, who is coordinating the sheep-shearing sessions. "Registration is being limited to the first 12 respondents per site to allow for as much one-on-one instruction as possible."

The registration fee is $85, with a $60 fee for a second person from the same farm or family. The fee includes tuition and handouts. Participants should wear work clothes and bring leather gloves, Bumgarner advised. Refreshments and all shearing equipment will be provided. At the Washington County site, participants may bring their own bag lunch or purchase lunch for $7 each day.

Register online. Credit cards are accepted online or participants may pay by check. Instructions for check payments are on the registration website. Those unable to use the Internet should call the Greene County office at 724-627-3745 to register.

For more information, contact Walt Bumgarner at 724-438-0111 or by email at wob10@psu.edu or Kay Mooney at the Greene County Extension office at 724-627-3745.

Last Updated April 14, 2014

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