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, 2024 will be recorded as paid through September 30, 2024. Dues for new memberships received on or after June 1 will be recorded as paid through September 30, 2025.

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

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Event Type

Day

Only five days left to submit seminar proposals for the 2024 festival! Proposals are due by July 15.The Fiber Arts Seminar Committee invites instructors from every heritage, culture, belief system, and lifestyle to submit a teaching proposal.If you are interested in offering a seminar, class, or lecture at the 2024 Festival, please use the Online Proposal Form at sheepandwool.wufoo.com/forms/request-for-proposals-2024-fiber-arts-seminars/.#MDsheepwoolfest #mdsheepandwool #mdsheepandwoolfestival #mdsw2024 #fiberartseminars ... See MoreSee Less
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If you are interested in applying for a vendor booth at the 2024 festival, we are now accepting applications online at sheepandwool.wufoo.com/forms/2024-vendor-booth-space-application/. The deadline for applications is October 1.Photo Credit @philgrout #mdsw2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Reminder - The deadline for submitting seminar proposals for the 2024 festival is July 15, 2023.The Fiber Arts Seminar Committee invites instructors from every heritage, culture, belief system, and lifestyle to submit a teaching proposal.If you are interested in offering a seminar, class, or lecture at the 2024 Festival, please use the Online Proposal Form at sheepandwool.wufoo.com/forms/request-for-proposals-2024-fiber-arts-seminars/.#MDsheepwoolfest #mdsheepandwool #mdsheepandwoolfestival #mdsw2024 #fiberartseminars ... See MoreSee Less
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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpFtt0J2tmsmUmt3Jzr5t3uz6wg3H4DV_