The CEEDS farmers at the Horse Lake Community Farm Coop held their annual Sheep Shearing Sunday, Feb. 26 with a packed crowd of children in attendance!
Everyone took turns watching through the barn door as Master Shearer Dave Cadsand made short work of the 30 fleeces. Some Coop members were on hand to choose quality fleeces to take home for hand spinning, while the Coop itself collected a few to be processed into knitting ready wool for a Coop fundraiser.
Many of the children wanted to know why the sheep were losing their coats when it's still winter. Coop members explained it's so the spring bugs, and especially ticks don't get a chance to burrow in and hide in the fleece.
The sheep will spend the next few weeks sleeping inside the barn at night to stay warm, while they get used to their thinner sweaters.
The children also took turns jumping into the large wool bag to help pack it down. CEEDS collects the raw fleeces which aren't sold to individual spinners and weavers in large burlap bags, store them up in the barn loft and then sell to a bulk wool buyer every couple of years.
In another month or so, lambing will begin, so if any of the children wish to come back for a visit, please give Rod or Karen a call at 250-395-3580 or check the Farm Coop Facebook page.