Learn at Sheep School

Sheep School educates livestock producers new to sheep

on grass based sheep nutrition, health and profitability.

Courses

Beautiful Bottle Babies

Raising bottle lambs is without a doubt one of the most challenging aspects of shepherding.  Any sheep producer who has had a pen full of bummer lambs recognizes how difficult it is to maintain their health and well being while still keeping costs in check.  It is the epitome of shepherding skill.

In this class you will learn not only the basics requirements for caring for a newborn orphan or triplet but we take a deep dive into the most challenging aspects of artificially raising lambs including need facilities, digestive upset, best types of milk, vaccines, feeding schedules and needed equipment.

What you will accomplish in Beautiful Bottle Babies:

  • Create a healthy environment for your bummer lambs.
  • Identify common health concerns in newborn orphan lambs.
  • Create an optimal bottle feeding program for your lambs.
  • Introduce your lamb to solid feed.
  • Successfully wean lambs off milk.

GRAZE

Designed for both beginners and seasoned sheep producers,  GRAZE delves into the intricacies of farm goals,  genetics,  nutrition,  animal health, low-stress livestock handling and equipment. You’ll gain hands-on knowledge through interactive modules and real-world case studies, empowering you to maximize your flock’s health and productivity. 

This online program focuses on regenerative and holistic grazing principles for improved animal and soil health.

What you will accomplish in GRAZE:

  • Set grazing goals for your own farm.
  • Select the best sheep genetics for grazing in your situation.
  • Select the best forages for your sheep at different life stages.
  • Estimate your pasture productivity.
  • Identify common health concerns for your grazing flock.
  • Practice low-stress livestock handling
  • Evaluate what equipment you and more importantly, what you DON’T need.

 

 

 

I recently had a session with Cheryl to learn about how to better care for our new bottle lambs.  She patiently took time to answer my questions with a wealth of information about all different facets of care, from tricks for feeding to information about illnesses.  I am not new to farm animals but I am new to sheep, and her approachable style of teaching was perfect for someone who already had some basic understanding of ruminant care but was looking to grow their knowledge base to be more successful.  I would highly recommend Cheryl if you are looking for someone to mentor you in profitable Shepherding.

Melody Faville

 Comprehensive. Practical. Convenient.

Join our virtual classroom and participate in Sheep School online no matter where you live.

Your Goals

Build your beautiful, healthy flock.

Your Space

Learn from where ever you are.

Your Schedule.

Participate when and where you like.

Your Pace.

Learn at your own pace.

Your Community.

Connect with sheep graziers from all over the world.

Learn from Sheep School Founder Cheryl Cosner

Agriculturist, Grazier and Instructor

Passionate about all animals with hooves and a cud, Cheryl Williams Cosner works with forage-based sheep producers to create healthy, profitable flocks through understandable in-depth research based information in articles, videos and courses.

Cheryl’s love for livestock led her down a 30+ year path education and experience as a livestock producer and educator. She finds sheep to be some of the most fascinating, versatile and beautiful animals on the globe.

For three decades, Cheryl has spent time reading and studying every aspect of not only sheep health, nutrition and genetics but ranch management, micro-economics, marketing, grazing and land management.  Her knowledge has led her to participate in award winning collaborative projects with both Washington State University and Oregon State University.  For the past 12 years, Cheryl built a thriving farm-to-fork business where she marketed lamb, beef and poultry to 35 industry accounts including white table cloth restaurants, college and university food service, casinos and grocery stores.

Cosner’s outstanding contributions to agriculture have earned her recognition as Washington State University’s Woman Alumna of the Year and a national winner for the Farm and Ranch Survival Kit from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents’ Search for Excellence in Financial Management Education for Farms and Ranches. She is a board member of Roots of Resilience, a non-profit education organization that teaches holistic management and grazing principles to natural resource stakeholders.

Cheryl’s love of agriculture led her to Washington State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science with minors in Animal Science and Agriculture Economics. She earned her MBA in Marketing from City University of Seattle and was adjunct faculty teaching business at colleges and universities including a graduate level teaching assignment at a Chinese university in Bejing.  As a Small Business Development Center counselor, Cheryl has helped owners of business startups launch and manage their new businesses.

When she isn’t gathering forage samples to nutrition test for her flock and herd feed program, Cheryl is improving her horsemanship skills by attending training clinics with her favorite Quarterhorse, Billy Blue Tinkypoo.  She is a nationally recognized pastel painter who has received over 20 awards for her work depicting the landscape around her ranch.  Cheryl is married 40 years to her husband, Robert, and every day she brags about her three fabulous adult children to whoever will listen.

Past Collaborations And Projects

Workshops, Webinars, Guest Speaking, Advisory Boards, Extension Bulletins, Business Coaching

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