Sheep Shearing Open Farm Days

Danny Smith, our professional sheep shearer from Missouri, finishes up a black ewe while the next sheep waits beyond the gate.

Danny Smith, our professional sheep shearer from Missouri, finishes up a black ewe while the next sheep waits beyond the gate.

Our 2018 Sheep Shearing Open Farm Day will be March 24–mark your calendar!

Sheep Shearing Open Farm Days are held once or twice a year, the third Saturday in March and sometimes in September. They are loosely scheduled because we never know quite when Danny Smith, our sheep shearer, will finish at the previous farm.  Normal starting time is around 10 a.m.

Weather can cancel a shearing or decrease the parking we have available. In case of severe weather, check the farm’s Facebook page for updates or call 785-979-6786 the day of the shearing.

While waiting for the shearer, attendees can enjoy the farm, peak at the spring crops, feed the sheep, and enjoy fiber-related demonstrations and displays. During the shearing, folks can watch from hay-bale bleachers or help bundle and label fleeces.

A variety of wool and craft items are always available for sale.

Want to help on Shearing Day? There are many opportunities to get involved:

  • Farm cleanup and preparation usually hits a frenzy Thursday and Friday; extra hands are always welcome to move things around, put up signs, etc.
  • Parking attendants/traffic directors are needed to make sure we don’t interfere with neighbors’ use of the road; you might miss some of the activities but will make an important contribution to our neighborhood relations.
  • People familiar with the farm are needed to act as hosts during the unstructured times to direct people, give tours, answer questions, etc.
  • Several folks usually start out the bundling and weighing of the freshly-shorn wool, then teach attendees who want to help on the spot; child/parent teams work well for this.
  • One or two people to help move the sheep is helpful; muck boots and grubby clothes required!
  • One person is needed in the pen with the shearer to help tidy things up in between sheep.
  • In the past we’ve generally served purchased snacks to the shearer and crew but donations of healthier homemade goodies would be appreciated.

MOVING FORWARD

Would you like to devote the time and energy to organizing an expanded Sheep Shearing Day festival? Let me know!

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