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HANDS-ON
SMALL SCALE SHEEP PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
Held
every summer
2010
SHEEP PRODUCTION WORKSHOP DATES TBA
2009 Workshop
Dates
Saturday June 20, 2009 - 8:30am-5pm
Saturday July 11, 2009 - 8:30am-5pm
As
preparation for this workshop, you may want to see SkyLines
Farm's website Management
Practices
for in-depth discussion of my organic approach to sheep
production. Write
to get on the mailing list for all SkyLines Farm educational
opportunities.
BACKGROUND ON
SKYLINES FARM
I've been raising
sheep by organic methods since 1992, and
have
carefully grown the flock to my current size of about 50
vibrantly healthy ewes and their lambs, on this beautiful
65-acre farm north of Moscow ID. The sheep generate three
major products that I direct-market to consumers:
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Premium natural-colored and white wool for
handspinners
> Hardy & productive breeding stock for
other shepherds
> Lean, healthy grassfed freezer lamb for
families
WORKSHOP
OVERVIEW
This workshop is
designed specifically for beginning small-scale farmers,
whether you're just considering raising sheep or have
already started your flock. You'll get a broad overview of
all aspects of keeping your small flock healthy, happy, and
productive using organic methods. You'll also get up-close
and hands-on with the SkyLines sheep as you learn and
practice some of the basic sheep care procedures.
A SkyLines
Romney ewe nurses her chunky twin
lambs.
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Discussion
Topics
-
Overview of SkyLines Farm's operation
- Management principles and practices for maintaining superb
sheep health
- Feeding sheep
- Designing a feeding program to match nutritional
requirements throughout the year
- Managing rams
- What a healthy happy sheep looks like and how to tell when
something's wrong
- Basic sheep health care - dealing with minor wounds,
internal & external parasites, hoof care
- Simple and functional sheep facilities - barns, sheds,
fencing, gates, feeders, water
- Rotational grazing principles and advantages
- Using Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) and donkeys for
predator-friendly flock protection
Hands-On
Activities
- Low-stress sheep
handling - moving sheep, restraining sheep
- Condition scoring sheep (how to tell if this walking ball
of wool is thin, fat, or perfect)
- Drenching sheep with garlic (or chemical wormers if you
choose) for internal parasite control
- Trimming hooves
- Where and how to give shots if they're needed
Farm Tour
The day will include a guided walking tour of the farm.
We'll view and discuss:
- Examples of fencing styles and materials...woven wire
field fencing, permanent electric, portable electric, rigid
panels, fence charging systems
- The SkyLines runway system (photo below) that allows the
sheep access to water and lets me maintain precise control
of how long and where the sheep are grazing
- Deciding on pasture divisions for rotational grazing
- Moving the sheep to fresh pasture (this is fun!)
- Plus you'll meet all of the SkyLines critters...the team
of Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian dogs, Peaches the guard
donkey, the horses, beef calves, chickens...and of course
the sheep!
Leading the
flock down the runway from pasture #13 to pasture
#1,
to begin another grazing rotation.
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SkyLines workshop
participants say...
Thank you for
the day of inspiration and education! What a
great way to get the "real scoop" on how to raise
healthy happy ewes and lambs, run a sustainable
business, and make decisions in line with your
dreams and your priorities.You're a rock star!
Melissa Radloff, Sustainable Ag/Small Farms
University of Idaho, Moscow ID
I wanted
to thank you for the clinic. I feel that I
learned a lot. I appreciated your down to earth and
realistic approach to your farm and am eager to
apply some of the principles that you
practice...such as breeding for a healthy flock
through a critical selection process. I look
forward to another clinic that would cover pasture
management and rotation.
Joel Steele, St. John WA
Thank you for
an excellent workshop! I learned far more than
I could have through just reading books and
websites. Your hands-on approach is very helpful
for those of us with no real experience, but a
desire to pursue shepherding.
Stephen Martin, Tensed ID
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THE DETAILS . .
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What to Wear
We'll spend most of
the day outside in the barns and walking through the farm's
woods and pastures, so wear sturdy walking shoes or boots
and dress for the weather. You may want to bring a light
jacket, sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellant if you use
them, and perhaps a water bottle.
Note: Biosecurity
is an important aspect of managing any farm, and it's
particularly important to me. Please respect my farm
management practices and wear clean clothing and footwear
(if you must wear your own barn boots please clean and wash
them thoroughly in advance, removing all mud and manure).
Before visiting the sheep barn you'll walk through a bleach
footbath as a precautionary measure.
Food
Lunch is included in your registration fee. We'll eat lunch
as a group either in the house or on the deck, depending on
the weather.
Lodging
On-Farm: You are welcome to spend the night on the
farm before or after the workshop, with advance reservation
required. Options:
A) My newly remodeled upstairs guest suite is available at a
discounted rate for workshop participants. The suite is very
private & comfortable, with your own bath, cozy seating
area, writing desk, queen bed, lots of happy plants, and
fabulous views overlooking the farm and organic veggie
garden. $75/night/1-2 persons.
B) Overnight dry camping on the farm in your camper or tent
is available to participants for $15/night. (Sorry, no dogs
or other pets allowed.)
Off-Farm: A private
campground with full facilities and a Forest Service
campground are both within about 5 miles of the farm. The
town of Moscow ID is 30 miles away and offers motel and
B&B options.
If you spend a night, meals other than lunch on
Saturday are on your own or potluck with the group.
Write or call for
more details on any of these options or to place your
on-farm lodging reservation.
Cost
Cost for the 2010 Sheep Production Workshop is
$99/person (adult or child) including lunch &
reference materials. Two people registering and paying
together $89/person. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve
your spot early. $50/person nonrefundable deposit is
required to guarantee your reservation, balance due by
workshop day.
PayPal or personal check
are gladly accepted. Use PayPal to securely pay with a
credit card or bank transfer. Send your PayPal payment to
melissa@skylinesfarm.com or make your check out to SkyLines
Farm and mail to 4551 Highway 6, Harvard, ID 83834. Contact
me to confirm space availability before sending
payment.
Minimum
age
Children 12 or over are welcome, and must be supervised by
parent or guardian at all times.
To register or for more
info
Call me at
208/875-8747 or write me at
melissa@skylinesfarm.com.
SkyLines'
Angus
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SkyLines
Farm employs working
Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs.
Please leave your dogs at home.
SkyLines
Farm 4551 Highway 6 Harvard, ID 83834
208.875.8747
Purebred Romney & Romney-Cross
Sheep
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