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March 13, 2010
Sheep Lambing Workshop
Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont
The University of Vermont Extension, in conjunction with Shelburne Farms will be holding a classroom discussion on lambing, including what to do to be prepared for lambing, how to care for newborn lambs, and how to deal with lambing problems. The classroom will be followed by a "hands-on" session with the Shelburne Farm's sheep flock. The flock will be lambing at that time and there should be several new-born lambs. If the ewes cooperated, we may even see an actual birth. If we don't, we will have a video of a ewe giving birth to twins. The emphasis of this workshop will be the proper management of the lambing ewe and how to care for the new-born lambs. Participants will have the opportunity to work with the lambs. This will include dipping the navel, docking the lambs, and inserting a feeding tube. If you have never experienced lambing or would like more experience under the guidance of an experienced shepherd, this workshop is for you. The workshop will run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont. Registration fee is $35 per farm. Youth that are interested in raising sheep are encouraged to attend. Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive a letter of confirmation with directions. As biosecurity is always an issue, attendees will be asked to wear clean clothes to work with the sheep. Plastic boots and gloves will be available as will a disinfectant to wash rubber footware. If you require more information please contact: Chet Parsons or Elaine Burnor UVM Extension 278 South Main St. Suite 2 802-524-6501 Email: chet.parsons@uvm.edu elaine.burnor@uvm.edu
April 3, 2010
Introduction to Sheep Management
South Burlington, VT
The “Old Shepherd Series”, Presented by Chet Parsons, Livestock Specialist
The Old Shepherd is presenting a class this spring on sheep management. The goal of the class is to provide interested shepherds with the basic knowledge to raise and care for sheep. Topics that will be covered include “which breed is for you,” health, nutrition, lambing, and facilities. If you are having trouble deciding which breed of sheep will work best for you, or you are apprehensive about assisting a birth, or you are not sure when to feed 1st or 2nd cut hay, this class is for you. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive more information on the class, directions to the location you chose, and your first assignment! For more information, call 802-524-6501, Elaine at ext. 201 or Chet at ext. 212.
Registration includes handouts on raising sheep. For those with computer technology, the booklet will be on a USB flash drive with selected video clips on sheep management. elaine.burnor@uvm.edu
April 10, 2010
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE SHEEP SHEARING CLASS
with the "Old Shepherd", Chet Parsons, Livestock Specialist, UVM Extension
Grafton, VT
The class will cover how to set up equipment and the basics of how to shear a sheep, followed by actual shearing under the supervision of a professional shearer. Because of this, we are only able to have a set number of participants who will actually be able to shear. Each appli-cant will receive one-on-one instruction with a professional shearer and a shearing handbook with a shearing video. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is the responsibility of each participant to provide his/her own shearing equipment or make arrangements to use someone's equipment before the school starts. Names and addresses of local equipment suppliers will be included in the confirmation letter. Registration fee for the course is $125 per person. If you would like to come for the lectures and observe, the fee is $50. Classes will start at 9:00 AM and go until 4:00 PM. More de-tailed instructions will be sent upon receipt of your registration. For more information, call 802-524-6501, Elaine at ext. 201 or Chet at ext. 212., elaine.burnor@uvm.edu
April 18, 2010
Making Wool Presentable for Sale Workshop
Flora/Fauna Farm in West Topsham, VT
It is a good time to learn the characteristics of a good fleece, how to skirt fleeces thoroughly, how to roll them, and how to make them look presentable for both selling and competing. The instructor will be Phyllis Rockwell. She is the owner and operator of Newfound Wool Works in Bristol, NH. Our shearer, David Hinman, will have already completed his shearing task for this year. The cost this year is $20.00 for non VSGA family units and for VSGA member family units $5.00, and by donation for board members. The same is true for New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Growers' Association members. Lunch is included and will be served around 1:00 PM. Make checks payable to VSGA and send them to me at the following address. After the skirting of about twenty-four fleeces is completed, I will show how our sheep feeding is accomplished during the winter months along with their facillities. Please let me know as soon as possible if you desire to come. Directions to our farm will be sent out when I receive your payment. These directions will be your tickets for admission. Please expect to wash your footwear before going up stairs in the barn. Chris Hall, Ribbon Winning Fleeces, Flora/Fauna Montadale Sheep Graziers, 73 Willey Hill Road, West Topsham, VT 05086, (802) 439-624 flofauna@TOPS-TELE.COM
April 24, 2010
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE SHEEP SHEARING CLASS
with the "Old Shepherd", Chet Parsons, Livestock Specialist, UVM Extension
Shelburne, VT
The class will cover how to set up equipment and the basics of how to shear a sheep, followed by actual shearing under the supervision of a professional shearer. Because of this, we are only able to have a set number of participants who will actually be able to shear. Each appli-cant will receive one-on-one instruction with a professional shearer and a shearing handbook with a shearing video. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is the responsibility of each participant to provide his/her own shearing equipment or make arrangements to use someone's equipment before the school starts. Names and addresses of local equipment suppliers will be included in the confirmation letter. Registration fee for the course is $125 per person. If you would like to come for the lectures and observe, the fee is $50. Classes will start at 9:00 AM and go until 4:00 PM. More de-tailed instructions will be sent upon receipt of your registration. For more information, call 802-524-6501, Elaine at ext. 201 or Chet at ext. 212., elaine.burnor@uvm.edu
May 15, 2010
Introduction to Sheep Management Class
Windham Foundation in Grafton, VT
The “Old Shepherd Series”, Presented by Chet Parsons, Livestock Specialist
The Old Shepherd is presenting a class this spring on sheep management. The goal of the class is to provide interested shepherds with the basic knowledge to raise and care for sheep. Topics that will be covered include “which breed is for you,” health, nutrition, lambing, and facilities. If you are having trouble deciding which breed of sheep will work best for you, or you are apprehensive about assisting a birth, or you are not sure when to feed 1st or 2nd cut hay, this class is for you. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive more information on the class, directions to the location you chose, and your first assignment! For more information, call 802-524-6501, Elaine at ext. 201 or Chet at ext. 212.
Registration includes handouts on raising sheep. For those with computer technology, the booklet will be on a USB flash drive with selected video clips on sheep management. elaine.burnor@uvm.edu
November 5, 6, & 7, 2010
The Northeast Handspinners Association 2010 Gathering
Grand Summit Resort Hotel & Conference Center at Mount Snow, West Dover, VT
Ten fiber mentors are scheduled to teach at the Gathering; Sara Lamb from California, Deb Menz from Wisconsin, Letty Klein and Amy Tyler from Michigan, Nancy Morey from New York, as well as some New England area instructors. Class topics include: Weaving with Cut Pile; Combs & Hackles; Braid Rugs with Roving; Color Blending at the Wheel; Needle Felting; Natural Dyeing; Knitting/Cutting Without Fear; Wire Knitted Jewelry; and more! There will be a great variety of fiber oriented learning, sensational food, fabulous vendors, and fun! For more information, contact Norma Bromley, 3069 Schoolhouse Rd., Newark, VT, (boreas25@localnet.com) 802-467-3222, or check out updated information on the Northeast Handspinners Association website: www.nehandspinners.org
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