Shepherd’s Cross is hosting an American Sheep Industry Certified Sheep Shearing School April 16-18. Class will be held from 8:30a – 3:30p each day.
The classes are held on an authentic working sheep farm at Shepherd’s Cross. This is one of only a few American Sheep Industry (ASI) Certified classes taught in the whole nation. It is instructed by Israel Vasek and Dr. Diane Dickinson.
Mr. Vasek is a professional sheep shearer, and shears over 10,000 sheep per year. He learned to shear with his father, and is carrying on the family tradition. Israel is not only a quality shearer, but he is conscientious, and handles the sheep respectfully. He and his family live in South Dakota. It is an honor to have him come to Oklahoma to teach this class.
Dr. Diane Dickinson is a licensed veterinarian and an agriculturalist, with over 30 years of livestock and farming experience. Her unique perspective of animal husbandry care includes that of a producer, a veterinarian of small flock & herds, global agriculture, Biblical agriculture, sustainable living, natural production, agritourism and niche markets.
Each participant will learn how, and be given an opportunity to effectively shear a sheep. It will begin with the first step of catching and handling the animal, and continue with proper handling and maintaining the shearing equipment including blade sharpening. Shepherd’s Cross is an Animal Welfare Approved facility. They hold to specific standards of humane animal treatment.
Shepherd’s Cross will provide the sheep and shears for your use during training. You are welcome to bring any shearing tools you have for consultation & use if desired. Upon completion of class each student will have earned a certificate of accomplishment from Shepherd’s Cross and from the American Sheep Industry. They will also be given an official American Sheep Industry Shearing tutorial handbook and a DVD.
You can find a registration form at https://shepherdscross.com/files/Shearing_School_Registration_Form_2016.pdf. The class fee is $245.00 (the form and a deposit of $75.00 is due by April 5th). Please be prepared to sign a waiver & heed Shepherd’s Cross Rules, which can be found at: https://shepherdscross.com/files/Rules_and_Waiver_2014.pdf. You will need to bring a sack lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided. There is a minimum of 5 registrants and a maximum of 12.
Shepherd’s Cross and Heart of the Shepherd (the nonprofit 501-C3) host many classes including animal husbandry, wool processing and veterinary care all around the world. Our fiber classes go a step farther than most classes – we teach some history of fiber arts, and practical technology. Workshops are augmented by hands on learning tools available in the Educational Farm Museum. These fiber classes are offered on an individual or group basis throughout the year. Advanced Classes are also available upon request.
Since Shepherd’s Cross is an Animal Welfare Approved sheep farm our fiber is chemical free, hormone free, free range, all natural. We host a mini wool mill on site where we process wool from several hundred of our own sheep. We also offer tours guided or self-guided of our Bible Garden. Be sure to visit Shepherd’s Shop, our quaint country gift shop, featuring a host of handmade and farm related gifts and wares from many gifted artisans. The Gift Shop is open every week Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
