FALMOUTH — The Maine Sheep Breeders Association and University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer sheep-shearing schools in March and April.
Four instructors will teach beginner sheep-shearing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport. The $45 a person fee includes a shearing manual and lunch.
A conventional shearing method will be taught with handheld electric shears. Enrollment is limited to 16, but spectators are welcome.
Kevin Ford will instruct at a two-day blade-shearing school from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 15, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester.
The $120 a person fee includes a shearing manual and lunch on Saturday. Participants will be taught to set up, sharpen and use nonelectric hand shears or blades. Enrollment is limited to 10 and previous sheep-shearing experience is recommended. Shears will be available for purchase. Spectators are welcome.
Register online at umaine.edu/livestock/sheep/sheep-shearing-schools. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, call Melissa Libby, 207-581-2788 or 800-287-7170 (in Maine).
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