May 11, 2024
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wolfe’s Neck Center, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, Maine
Cost: $50-$120 (Lunch will be provided)
New to sheep or goats? This workshop covers important topics for successful sheep and goat ownership and production. University of Maine Cooperative Extension is working with Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Animal Health Team and the Wolfe’s Neck Center to bring educational programming to new farmers in Maine.
Learn about:
- Common uses, breeds, and selecting animals
- Housing and fence options
- Health and parasite management
- Biosecurity, record keeping, and building a veterinary kit
- Sheep and goats as a business
Hands-on experience:
- Handling
- Rotational grazing
- Hoof trimming
- Behavior & veterinary care
- FAMACHA certification (parasite indicator)
- Shearing demonstration
Speakers:
Rachel White, Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Educator
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Elizabeth Tarantino, Dairy and Livestock Manager
Wolfe’s Neck Center
Taryn Pearson, Assistant State Veterinarian
Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Carol Delaney, Livestock Specialist
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Agenda:
9:00-9:15 a.m. – Welcome and introductions
9:15-10:00 a.m. – Getting started with sheep and goats: the basics
10:00-10:30 a.m. – Sheep and goats as a business
10:30-11:00 a.m. – Diseases and parasites
11:00-11:30 a.m. – Record keeping and biosecurity
11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon – Building a vet kit
12:00-12:45 p.m. – Lunch
12:45-1:00 p.m. – Biosecurity in practice (booties on to start stations)
1:00-3:00 p.m. – Stations (half-hour each):
- Rotational grazing
- Hoof trimming
- First aid and behavior
- Handling, FAMACHA and body condition scoring
3:00-3:15 p.m. – Break
3:15-4:00 p.m. – Shearing demonstration
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Sue Baez at 207.667.8212 or 1.800.287.8212 (in Maine) to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however, all requests will be considered.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).