Sheep shearing demonstrarion
Instructor Emily Garnett watches as Sami Li tries her hand at shearing during a UMaine Extension workshop in 2024. This year’s two-day sheep shearing school is scheduled for May 30-31 in Belgrade.

UMaine Extension to host annual sheep shearing school in Belgrade

April 21, 2026 In-Person, Livestock, News, Penobscot

BELGRADE, Maine – University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering its annual Sheep Shearing School on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the North Belgrade Community Center (and Sunrise Farm), 508 Smithfield Road.

This two-day workshop is for individuals interested in learning to shear sheep at the producer or professional level. Topics covered include sheep handling, crutching, full body shearing, and equipment maintenance. Instructors include Rachel White, Extension sustainable agriculture and livestock educator, and professional shearers Jeff Birchstead, Emily Garnett, Abigail Smith, and Arla Casselman. Shearing participants are expected to have prior basic sheep-handling experience, be able to bend for extended periods, and lift 50 pounds. Minimum age is 16 and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Lunch will be provided on both days.

The cost for the two-day event is $350. An auditing option is also offered for $25 per day or $40 for both days. Registration to participate in shearing or to audit is required by May 22. For more information and to register, visit the 2026 Sheep Shearing School page. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Sue Baez at 207.667.8212 or sue.baez@maine.edu.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety, and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H, which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.