NY Sheep Shearing School 2025




Event Details

Date

March 15, 2025

Time

9am-4:30pm

Location

Stone & Thistle Farm
1211 Kelso Road
East Meredith, NY 13757

Host

Cornell CALS

Doug Rathke
320-583-7281



This 2-day sheep shearing school is great for beginners and also for those who want to improve their current shearing skills. Doug Rathke, a seasoned shearer, knows what it takes to learn the art of shearing and he knows what it takes to teach it on a level so it can be understood and retained. 

This class will give you the confidence to start shearing your own flock or take it to the next level and earn income by shearing for others.

You are required to bring your own equipment to the class. Please call/text Doug Rathke at 320-583-7281 with any questions on the equipment needed.

What you will learn:
• Preparing for shearing
• Understanding & appreciation of shearing gear
• Selecting combs & cutters
• Setting up a hand piece
• Setting up the shearing work area
• Learning the basic shearing pattern and footwork
• Learning how to properly sharpen your tools
• Modifying the shearing pattern for different types of sheep

Students must have their own sheep shearing equipment as this is a hands-on school. Questions about equipment? Doug can help guide you. Call him at 320-583-7281.

Cost: $315 (NO REFUNDS)

A maximum of 12 students. 

Doug also offers private sessions. E-mail info@lambshoppe.com for more details on the one-on-one instruction and scheduling.
 
To Register: NY Sheep Shearing School 2025 | Lamb Shoppe LLC or call Doug at 320-583-7281




more content - left
Field Crops

Field Crops

Dairy

Dairy

Business

Business

Livestock

Livestock

Grains

Grains

more content - right

Upcoming Events

NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 3, 2026 : NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course
Ellicottville, NY

NYSDEC training course in preparation to take the pesticide applicator exam.

From Data to Dollars: Making Data-driven Decisions to Increase Farmers Market Success

March 3, 2026

The Cornell Agricultural Marketing Research Program and Penn State University are excited to present this new, 6-week course as part of Cornell's Farmers Market Research Project. The course is for farmers with experience selling at farmers markets who wish to increase their earnings through management and marketing practices.

Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference

March 6, 2026
Waterloo, NY

Farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers from across the Northeast are invited to the 2026 Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference, held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, N.Y.

Co-hosted by New York Soil Health and Cornell CALS, the annual conference brings together leaders in organic grain, dairy, and livestock systems to share practical tools, new research, and farmer-tested strategies to support resilient and profitable organic production.

Announcements

Cows, Crops & Critters Newsletter Sponsorship

TRYING TO REACH GROWERS AND AGRIBUSINESSES IN OUR SOUTHWEST REGION OF NEW YORK?

Our two forms of publications feature research-based and timely information from our four specialists, listed to the right, along with local event notifications and Cornell University outreach. This information is provided to participants who range from dairy, livestock and field crops producers to agricultural suppliers and consultants.

Weekly Email Update: Shared with 625+ households who have signed up with our program.
Monthly Paper Mailer: To reach our stakeholders and farmers who lack internet access, we send out a monthly mailer where your company's logo and contact information would be featured with a mailing list of 330+ households.

If you sponsor our weekly and monthly publications you reach approximately 955 households.


Questions? 
Contact Kelly Torrey  |  585-268-7644 ext. 10  |   KLB288@cornell.edu