If you have spent much time on my blog, then you know that I am passionate about teaching and helping other shepherds gain the confidence they need to successfully raise their flock of sheep. Through the years, I have written countless blog posts to help each of you on your journey owning sheep. Though my blog has provided me with a way to reach beyond my own fence line in teaching others, something has been lacking. As a teacher, I love interacting with my students. I love the two way dialog between teacher and student. I love seeing and hearing about progress made and brainstorming when progress is not made. I love the exchange of ideas and creativity when working with a group of students.
Shepherd Mentoring
So eight months ago, I began offering shepherding workshops and education beyond our fence line through online teaching and mentoring. I absolutely love working with the shepherds in my mentoring program. I have shepherds of all levels from brand new to experienced. Each has their own needs and challenges. Through my mentoring program, I help them identify the skills they have and those they need using my Shepherd’s Path. This path becomes their road map as they continue growing as shepherds. The program has a growing list of resources to help them gain the knowledge they need.
Each month new information is added to the mentoring program as well as a monthly shepherd’s calendar of flock management and marketing tasks. This summer I began a monthly challenge to help encourage them in areas related to raising sheep to further their knowledge, confidence, and skills. The past few months we have worked on numerous topics in the mentoring program including:
- pasture management
- learning about the characteristics and qualities of wool
- discussing ways to promote your breed of sheep
- learning how to use an online resource for designing promotional graphics for your farm marketing.
Enrollment is only open two or three times a year allowing me to focus on my new shepherds and getting them settled into the program. I would love for you to join me. With every new shepherd that joins the program, our conversations become richer. If you would like more information on joining Shepherd Mentoring, click the button below.
