June 19 - 23, 2024

Sheep & Wool Camp is 5 days of hands-on training, instruction and resources for those wanting to work with sheep as a tool for land management, fibre and meat production. Hosted by Ferme Fiola Farm and Long Way Homestead

This camp will include these topics:

  • Context and Goals 

  • Infrastructure & Land set up

  • Resources

  • Farm and land considerations 

  • Sheep Health

  • Lambing 

  • Animal husbandry 

  • Shearing & Wool handling

  • Breed conservation 

  • Marketing your wool & wool products

  • Business Planning

  • Production models

Who is Sheep Camp for?

  • folks with no or limited experience in sheep agriculture who want an introduction to grazing animals and sheep husbandry

  • farmers who want a greater understanding of how to add value to their wool clip and develop an enhanced marketing and business plan for wool sales

  • People that are looking for hands-on training and experience with an actual fibre farm and a variety of sheep breeds in adaptive managed grazing operations

  • Wool brokers, business owners and community that want a deeper understanding of how to work with farmers and integrate farm wool into their own business/organization

Logistics for Sheep Camp

  • Sheep Camp will happen at Long Way Homestead and Ferme Fiola Farm (the two farms are 1/2 mile apart)

  • Camping on site (included in price)

    Limited cabin rentals 75$ per night

    Outhouse only, Outdoor shower only

  • Dinner for 4 nights is included in the price. (We can make some dietary accomodations please let us know)

    Participants are responsible for their own breakfast and lunch. There will be access to shared fridge, microwave, hot plate and dishes.

    Coffee, tea, and water will be provided.

  • Sheep camp is hands-on field work and learning. Each day will be 6-7 hours of learning including some classroom and some field work. Please be prepared with adequate foot wear and clothing (a list will be sent to those tha register).

    We believe that every participant and instructor has something to learn AND something to share. We believe that all participants will get more from the week if they are active contributors to the training and knowledge sharing.

  • Tuition includes all instruction, field materials and print resources. It covers a tent camping spot and 4 dinners.

    Sliding scale $350-$450

    If you are attending with a spouse or business partner, the cost for both is $500

    We have 1 full scholarship reserved for a person from an equity seeking group (please indicate your request for the scholarship on the application).

  • Applications will open Marc 1st, 2024

 

Meet the Instructors

Christel Lanthier (she/her/elle) is a Franco-Manitoban multidisciplinary Red River Métis textile artist, hide tanner, mother, shepherdess, and caretaker of land on Treaty One Territory. Her work focuses on the soil to soil cycle.

Anna Hunter is a first generation sheep farmer and wool mill owner in Eastern Manitoba, Treaty One Territory. Anna, her husband Luke, and their two kids raise Shetland sheep and run the only wool mill in Manitoba. Anna is passionate about building community and connecting rural fibre farmers with urban consumers, fibre artists and crafters. Anna believes that regenerative agriculture and climate beneficial food and clothing is integral to moving forward as farmers, fibre artists and Manitobans. Anna is passionate about growing a vibrant Canadian wool industry and has recently published her first book Sheep, Shepherd and Land.