UACES Facebook Intro to Wool Fiber Systems: A Journey from Sheep to Shawl
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Intro to Wool Fiber Systems: A Journey from Sheep to Shawl

PART I: Shearing school for beginners

Man shearing a sheep
Hands combing through wool
Hands spinning wool
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In this hands-on training, you will learn about the shearing process, proper equipment and safety procedures, and develop basic shearing skills. This course is designed for beginners and is intended to empower participants with a greater understanding of the shearing process. Please do not expect to walk away from this course shearing at a professional level.

📅 When: May 10 & 11, 2025

  • May 10: 10:00am-5:00pm (animal reception starting at 8:00am)
  • May 11: 8:30am-3:00pm

📍 Where: Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center, 1335 W. Knapp St. Fayetteville, AR 72704

💰 Cost: $100, snacks and lunch provided

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Instructor: Phoebe Smith. Phoebe is an Oregon-based professional shearer who has sheared on fine wool
Phoebe Smith holding a sheep
Instructor: Phoebe Smith
crews in the Western United States and New Zealand. She has won multiple intermediate shearing competitions and holds an impressive PR of 315 sheep shorn in one day! 
 
Bring your sheep to practice: To enhance your learning experience, attendees are encouraged to bring 1-3 sheep from their flocks. Although it is not required to bring your own sheep, learning about your own flock will be invaluable as each breed shears differently. Bringing your own sheep may also provide you with more hands-on opportunities.
 
Pens: Pens (6x12 ft) will be available for the duration of the course. Please bring your own feed, water troughs (like buckets) and feeders. Participants should take care of their animals. We recommend starting to pen the animals and adapting them to the diet before bringing them in order to reduce stress and the risk of digestive issues. The UADA will not assume liability for animals or participants during the training. No Veterinarians will be in service.  
 
If you have your own handpiece, feel free to bring it, along with sharpened combs and cutters.
 
Only 20 pens are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: In-state: Only healthy animals with scrapie tags will be admitted. Out-of-state: Interstate animal movement must follow Arkansas laws and regulations. Please follow the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Act 87 of 1963 (Code 2-33-101), Act 150 of 1985 (Code 19-6-448) & Act 1306 of 1997 (Code 2-40-823), available at https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/rulesRegs/Arkansas%20Register/2006/may_2006/125.00.06-003.pdf, which includes but not limited to scrapie tag and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
 
More information: dquadros@uada.edu or Washington County Extension Office  (479) 444-1755.
 

Sponsor:   Farm Credit logo


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She Shears Sheep logo
Ozark Fibershed logo
Heft Shearing logo
American Wool Association logo
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American Wool logo
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