Programs both scheduled in May

It’s spring and for those that raise sheep, it’s also shearing time.

Over time, it has become more and more difficult to find professionals that are willing to travel from farm to farm to shear sheep, especially for those that keep just a few sheep as pets or for the purpose of raising a few lambs every year. Cost of sheep shearing can also become prohibitive.

So what’s a producer to do?

New and experienced producers are invited to attend one of two sheep shearing workshops to be held in Western Pennsylvania. Workshops are planned for May 3 and 4 in Scenery Hill, Pa.

The sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

A second workshop will be offered May 9 and 10 in Grove City from 5 to 9 p.m.

Both workshops will be held at farms where participants will have a chance to get some hands-on practice shearing sheep.

The Washington County workshop, given the time frame, will provide more opportunities for hands-on practice.

Registration is required and the fee is $75 per person with a $50 registration fee for a second person from the same farm.

Registrations are being accepted online at http://agsci.psu.edu/sheep-shearing.

Credit card payments are accepted online or you may also follow the instructions at the registration site to pay by check.

For a copy of the brochure, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761, Ext. 222.

For questions and additional information, contact extension educator Walt Bumgarner at 724-438-0111 or e-mail at wob10@psu.edu.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.