Sheep Industry News December 2024

Apply Now for Shearing Grants

A SI has once again set aside $15,000 in grants to as sist developing shearers and mentors. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025. There is a large and continuing need for sheep shear

full-time shearer will be given priority. • Mentors may manage a crew or be an individual shearer and must support the developing shearer by aiding them with shearing skills and techniques and by aiding them in finding work. • Past grant recipients may apply. • The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025. Applications will be re

ers across the United States. Domestic shearers are becom ing fewer and it is increasingly difficult to bring international

shearers into the United States. Seeing the need of

more shearers for both large and small sheep operations, the ASI Wool Council devel oped this grant program to incentivize the development of domestic shearers. This program supports developing shearers as they work to increase the quality of their shearing and the amount of sheep they are able to shear

viewed by members of the ASI Wool Council. Ranking and funding recommendations are based on the following crite ria: Applicants must describe how many sheep they cur rently shear, how/where they shear and how the mentor

will assist them. This informa tion will aid in understanding how much this program will impact the industry. All appli cants will be notified by Feb. 1, 2025, via phone, email or mail if their proposal was accepted and approved. Developing shearers must provide required documentation to receive final $1,000 pay ment. This includes: • A completed W-9 form as grant funding is considered taxable income. • Videos showing shearer progress: including quality of shorn sheep; improved shearing/handling techniques; and speed of shearing. • Final written summary and photos (1-2 pages), which document: how has the shearer progressed since January; new equipment the shearer has purchased; description of how the mentor was most helpful to the developing shearer; and a photo for promotional purposes. Get the full details at SheepUSA.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/10/2025-ASI-Developing-Shearer-Mentor Grant.pdf. The same information is available in Spanish at SheepUSA.org/ wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025- Subsidio-para-esquiladores-en-formacion-y-mentores Informacion-y-solicitud.pdf.

each day, thus working to build their income and lon gevity in the shearing indus try. Additionally, as mentors provide developing shearers with education and an avenue to shear – thereby sharing their work and income – mentors may also apply for assistance. The grant will be given to 10 developing shearers and/ or mentors at $1,500 each. Developing shearers will be paid $500 once accepted and $1,000 upon completion. Mentors will be paid $1,500 upon completion. Developing shearers and mentors may apply jointly or separately; jointly is preferred. Priority will be given to developing shearers who meet the grant’s goals, includ ing those who show dedication to becoming a professional shearer. Developing U.S. shearers who have a supporting mentor and shearers serving as a mentor to developing shearers are eligible to apply. • Applicants must be 16 years or older by January 1, 2025. • Developing shearers should be able to shear at least 10 head of sheep per day. Developing shearers shearing 25 to 75 head per day and showing a commitment to working as a

14 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org