By Andi Anderson
The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program is organizing a shearing school, hosted by the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA), on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The event will be held at Purdue University’s Sheep Center, located at 5480 ASREC Drive, West Lafayette, IN, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, with check-in starting at 8:30 a.m.
The workshop is open to participants of all skill levels, providing an opportunity to learn the necessary techniques for sheep shearing. This year, ISA is offering an advanced class in addition to the beginner class. The advanced session is designed for individuals who have previously learned shearing, can shear independently, and are aiming to pursue professional shearing.
“With the addition of the advance shearers’ class, we hope to assist promising shearers with fine-tuning techniques that will decrease stress on the shearer and increase the number of head they can do in a day,” said Gerald Kelly, manager of the Purdue Sheep Center. “We also aim to give demonstrations and hands-on practice for setting up sharpening equipment and grinders and real experience sharpening combs and cutters.”
Experienced shearers, including Matt Kennedy, a master shearer and co-organizer of the event, will serve as instructors. Kennedy’s family has a long history of training shearers, making them experts in the field.
The registration fee for beginners is $50, which includes the cost of the workshop, lunch, and shearing equipment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment, if available. The beginner class will be limited to 20 participants, while the advanced class will accept only five participants.
To register, individuals should visit the Indiana Sheep Association’s website at http://indianasheep.com and mail the completed registration form and fee to ISA Executive Director Emma O’Brien at 6840 S 280 E Lebanon, IN 46052. All forms must be received by February 10, 2025, and attendees must sign a liability waiver.
This workshop aims to address the growing demand for skilled sheep shearers as older generations retire. By training new shearers, the event supports both producers and 4-H members in efficiently shearing their sheep.
For inquiries, contact Emma O’Brien at executive@indianasheep.com.
Photo Credit: istock-globalp
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Goats & Sheep