Sheep Shearing Event Returns to Cherry Valley's Highland Springs Resort

Families are again invited out to Highland Springs resort to experience what it's like to help shear a sheep.

"The main feature of the event is the rounding up and shearing of the sheep," an event announcement states.  "There will also be fleece processing demonstrations, crafts for the children, and tasty lunchtime snacks (no lamb included)."

The annual event is scheduled for March 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and costs $12 per person.  Children under 5 are free.


Here's a little background on the event, from Highland Springs Resort: 

Each spring it is time for the sheep to be shorn at 123 Farm, so Highland Springs Resort has made this event in the calendar into an event to be shared with the local community.

There have been sheep at 123 Farm since 2007, when 10 organic sheep were purchased initially with the idea that they might wander through the lavender fields and eat all the weeds (they are not partial to lavender). The plan backfired when the sheep, with a mind of their own, began to wander into neighbouring fields and gardens to partake of the delicacies to be found there and leave their calling cards.

Next a moveable pen was tried, but this required too much manpower. Finally, it was decided to set the flock free in the 70 acre field and change their role from weeders, to meat producers.

The rams that are born to the flock are used to supply the award-winning Grand Oak Steakhouse at the Highland Springs Resort. The entire farm is certified organic and the sheep graze on 70 acres of grass, their diet being supplemented by organic alfalfa, and olive leaves from the property (these are fed to the sheep because of their antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical properties.)

There are now just under 100 sheep in the herd, around 40 of which have been born this year. There is also a llama that lives with the sheep and it will be shorn this year as well.

It is necessary to shear the sheep every spring, but it was only last year that 123 Farm began to make use of the fleece. For the past year, 123 Farm has been experimenting with washing, drying, spinning, and dying with natural dyes, using vegetation to be found on the property. All of this was done by hand, but last fall some of the fleece was sent to the mill for processing.

123 Farm wool is now on sale at the Highland Springs Resort gift shop and online. It is 100% wool and only the natural color at present. Other colors using our natural dyes are planned for the future. 

Highland Springs Resort is located at 10600 Highland Springs Ave in Cherry Valley.