Maryland Sheep Breeders Association

www.marylandsheepbreeders.org

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is the flagship event of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association (MSBA). The association also organizes the annual MSBA Shearing School in early spring as well as a range of sheep, wool, and lamb promotional and educational activities; a scholarship fund; and an annual members’ dinner in October.

Officers

President: Jeffrey White
Vice President: Andrew Keller
Treasurer: Colleen Histon
Secretary: Carolann McConaughy

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Chairperson

Gwen Handler

2023 Directors

Steve Breeding
AJ Hesketh-Tutton
Polly Matzinger

2024 Directors

Susan Schoenian
Penny Sica
Kate Warner

2025 Directors

Amanda Cather
Kenneth Farrell
Laura Kefauver
Nancy Starkey

Membership

Anyone with an interest in sheep and sheep-related topics, products, markets, or activities is welcome to join the MSBA. You don’t need to own or breed sheep or even reside in Maryland. If you want to join a community that shares a passion for this amazing and useful animal, its related products, businesses, or activities, MSBA would be happy to have you. Whether you are a farmer, shepherd, spinner, knitter, dyer, chef, student, or animal lover; or a sheep, wool, dairy or agriculture-related business; or just interested in learning about any of these – you are welcome to the MSBA community and resources!

As a member you will:

  • Join an active and friendly community of shepherds and others
  • Support the core activities of the MSBA
  • Receive the Maryland Sheep News, an informative newsletter that is emailed to all MSBA members three times a year
  • Receive regular publications from the American Sheep Industry Association
  • Receive priority consideration for enrollment in the Maryland Shearing School (applicable only if you own sheep), and your family members will be given priority consideration for the annual MSBA scholarship
  • Receive free admission to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
  • Receive a free copy of the Festival catalog by mail
  • Pay a reduced commission on any fleeces consigned for sale at the Festival’s Fleece Show & Sale (membership must be current as of April 27)
  • Be able to promote your farm or business through a free profile page on the MSBA website, marylandsheepbreeders.org.

Annual membership dues are $25. The membership year runs from October through September. Dues received before June 1, 2023 will be recorded as paid through September 30, 2023. Dues for new memberships received on or after June 1 will be recorded as paid through September 30, 2024.

County Associations

Frederick County Sheep Breeders

Mary Ellen Clark, President

Dedicated to all things related to sheep and goats. Offering a variety of opportunities to our members, and educational and community experiences to those interested in learning more about the sheep and goats we raise. Membership is not limited to Frederick County residents. Find us at www.fredericksheepbreeders.com

2023 Featured Breed: Jacob

Learn more about the Jacob breed and talk to JSBA members in the Breed Display Barn (Barn 7-8 on the map) while you are at the Festival.

Schedule of Events

Search schedule by:

Event Type

Day

In case you missed our earlier announcement, we are now accepting orders for a second printing of large tote bags and moss green t-shirts at www.sheepman.com/product-category/maryland-sheep-wool-festival-online/. Orders will be accepted through COB on Wednesday, May 24th. After that time, the order will go to the printer. They have given us a turn around time of around 2 weeks to have the items printed. Once we have the shirts in hand, we will start shipping to fulfill the orders. Your credit card will not be charged until your order ships. Note: The "guesstimated" shipping fee that is computer generated by the online sales platform at the time of your order tends to run high. You will likely notice the actual charge when your order is shipped is considerably less. Store pickup at the Sheepman Supply showroom in Frederick, MD is also possible; put "store pick up" in special instructions when you check out and you won't be charged the shipping. #mdsw #mdsw2023 #festivalgear #celebrating50years ... See MoreSee Less
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Due to the overwhelming popularity of our 50th anniversary items, we are now accepting orders for a second printing of select items at www.sheepman.com/product-category/maryland-sheep-wool-festival-online/. The order period will run until COB on Wednesday, May 24, at which time we will send the order off to the screen printing company. The delivery time will run 2-4 weeks from that point. These second printing items are limited to the large boat tote bag and a short-sleeve t-shirt in Moss green. The shirts are a ComfortWash by Hanes garment-dyed t-shirts in 5.5 ounce, 100% ring-spun cotton and standard unisex sizing, sizes S to 3X. All sales on this second printing will be final (no returns or exchanges). There is also a small quantity of already-printed items available on a first-come, first- served basis until supplies are exhausted:Short-sleeve t-shirt in “Indigo Blue” – Small (16), Medium (14), Large (8), XL (6), 2X (4), 4X (4), 5X (2)Hooded long-sleeve t-shirt in “Saltwater” – Small (6), Medium (4), Large (4), XL (8)Large boat tote bags (8) – these are the same mentioned above“Peacock” blue backpack (13)“Red Rock” beach wash shoulder tote (6)Large posters (12)Small posters (7)These are the same items that were available online prior to the festival and were also sold at the festival. Pickup at Sheepman Supply in Frederick, MD is available. Put “Store Pick Up” in special instructions when you check out and you won’t be charged the shipping. Thank you for your patience while we worked out these details.#mdsw #mdsw2023 #celebrating50years #festivalgear ... See MoreSee Less
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