Sheep Boot Camp Weekend 2021

Friday June 18-Sunday June 20, 2021

This 3-day course held on a working sheep farm will teach you the fundamental principles and challenges of raising sheep, with an emphasis on practical skills and hands-on experience. You will be based at Owens Farm, and will also visit other sheep operations to see how marketing strategy influences infrastructure, management protocols, lambing season, and nutrition.

Click to See Training Schedule Register for Sheep Boot Camp

Training Overview

DAY 1: HANDLING AND HEALTH Behaviorial basics, moving, catching, tipping, restraint, safety, equipment and facilities. Health Assessment, The Big 5 Sheep Problems, hoof health, vaccination, animal ID.

DAY 2: FARM TOURS AND MARKETING After a morning of sorting, handling, judging and more, we hit to road to visit different sheep operations. We see how marketing strategy impacts facilities, management, lambing season, and nutrition programs

DAY 3: LIFE WITH SHEEP Border collie basics, realities of rotational grazing, breeds and current trends, fencing, infrastructure, keys to success in breeding and lambing.

Your Instructors

Caroline Owens is a former Vocational Agriculture teacher with a B.S. From Cornell University in Animal Science/Agricultural Education and an M.B.A. from Boston University. She has raised sheep on two farms in two states since 1992. Pat Hourihan is a retired Vocational Agriculture teacher and department head from Ledyard, CT. On Saturday's farm tours, you'll meet and learn from other sheep producers with different goals, facilities, issues and concerns. Details will be posted after January 1, 2021.

Your Host, Owens Farm

David and Caroline Owens raise Coopworth and Katahdin sheep on 112 acres in Sunbury, Pennsylvana. The flock currently numbers 150 ewes. The family has raised sheep since 1992, starting with Finnsheep and Dorsets in New Hampshire. Their operation is based on rotational grazing and once-a-year spring lambing. They sell direct-marketed 'freezer' lamb, feeder lambs, and breeding stock. Owens Farm also supplies the sheep who graze the Solar Array at Susquehanna University.

Sheep 101, or Sheep Boot Camp Weekend,
What's the Difference?

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Sheep 101 is a one very full day. Sheep Boot Camp is three days, enabling us to dive deeper and broader into the subject matter.

The full Boot Camp experience offers:

-more time handling sheep, in more different scenarios, with more skills practice
-more time with the border collies, examining facilities, & other day-to-day practicalities
-visits to different sheep operations
-farm-to-table lamb feast
-the Cool Tee-Shirt!

REGISTRATION

Program fee of $550 includes 3 days' training, lunches, refreshments, and Saturday dinner. Class size is limited due to the hands-on nature of the course.
$100 Deposit reserves your space
$450 balance due on or before April 1, 2021.

Register for Boot Camp with Deposit Is your school system paying? Email us to reserve your spot,
and we will contact Accounts Payable

Address
2611 Mile Post Road
Sunbury PA, 17801

Contact Us
Email: info@owensfarm.com
Phone: 570-286-5309

Quick Links
Farm Tours
Overnight Farmstays
Lamb Cutting Instructions
Pork Cutting Instructions
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