Shearing Day at Grace Valley Farms

Shearing went exceptionally well this year! Many volunteers turned out to help and the two shearing days went ever so smoothly!

 Our favorite shearer, Karsten, returned to shear the sheep.

After each sheep was shorn, Ben and Karsten removed the soiled wool from each fleece.

When a sheep was finished being shorn, it was helped up and moved over to the recoating area. A new, smaller coat was applied. Here, Pat holds a gray ewe while a new coat is selected for her.

Zach holds a ewe lamb while Forrest puts a new coat on her. 

The shearing crew.

Robert, Ben, and Karsten carefully skirt each fleece to avoid contaminating it with soiled wool from the sheep's neck and belly.

When the fleece is done, Ben picked it up and carried it into the shop for further skirting. 

  

The skirting crew at work on a black fleece.

Rolling a silver fleece after it has been skirted.

A beautiful charcoal-colored lamb fleece.

Emily and Diana roll up a fleece.

Lunch Time! Lunch is always a fun time of food, fellowship, and friendship!

This year we cooked up a big Mexican meal.

We served almost 30 people for lunch.

A big "thank you" to all our friends and farm workers who came from near and far to help us. We all worked together like a team and the process went smoothly. It is such a joy to have friends who take good care of our sheep!

We are currently in the process of sorting, photographing, and grading our fleeces. When they are all cataloged,  we'll notify our customers.

Photography by: Russ Angwin