Course: Intro to Shepherding, June 22

Humans have been shepherding for over 8,000 years. Sheep provide us with an incredible amount of resources and entertainment. What does this ancient practice mean today and how can it fit into your life? In this course I am excited to invite you to my farm to share with you my practices and help you get started on planning your own! This course is for folks considering starting a flock, new shepherds with existing flocks, and shepherds who have been at it for awhile and curious to see how someone else does it! 
 
What we will cover in this course:
Determining your goals. Meat? Fiber? Land management? Business? All of the above? Once we have determined your goals we can figure out how to build a flock and systems that support those goals.
Different types of sheep and how to build your starter flock
Fencing: Different types of hard and electric fencing. How to handle and properly charge your electric fence.
Rotational grazing: Why it is considered “best practice”, creating paddocks and managing pasture
Nutrition
Medications and Vaccines: What to use and how to administer
Assessing health and condition
Handling sheep
Shelter and facilities
Trimming hooves
Managing your flock in different seasons
Breeding
Lambing
 
When and where:
Withywindle Valley Farm
600 Hartman RD SE Olympia, WA 98513
We will meet at 10 am, and will go until we are finished- likely around 4pm
Bring a lunch and snacks, wear sturdy shoes and cloths that you can get dirty!
There will be tea and coffee provided
 
 
You will leave this course with real-life, hands-on experience from a working farm. I will send you with a list of tools and resources you will want to start your flock and where to get them. When I started my flock, I made a lot of mistakes and did a lot of figuring out myself. My goal with this course is to save you and your sheep from unnecessary woes and tribulations and get you out on the right path!
 
This course will be taught by myself, Carissa Miller. I am a full-time farmer and the owner of Withywindle Valley Farm. My sheep are grass-fed, rotationally grazed and raised for meat and fiber