Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

Event Calendar

March 29 - 4-H Tack Sale, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

March 29 - Introduction to Sheep Management, Smokey House Center, Danby

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Sponsored by the UVM Extension Service. $50 per farm by March 5, 2008. Smokey House Center, Danby. Information and registration: Chet Parsons, UVM Extension, 278 South Main Street, Suite 2, St. Albans, VT 05478; 802-524-6501 or 1-800-639-2130; chester.parsons@uvm.edu . The goal of the class is to provide interested shepherds with the basic knowledge to raise and care for sheep. Topics covered include which breed is for you, health, nutrition, lambing and facilities. Will also include a hands-on segment that will allow participants to learn how to handle sheep, trim feet, examine a sheep for soundness, and care for the newborn lamb. Youth are encouraged to attend.

April 2 - Backyard Habitat, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

TIME: 7–9 pm • FEE: $5/member; $6/nonmember. We will discuss and illustrate the essential elements that provide a safe and attractive habitat for wild birds at your home. There will be living examples of the bird species you may possibly attract. Children welcome. Offered by OFES For more information contact www.shelburnefarms.org

April 9 - Whole Farm Approaches to Parasite Prevention & Control on Organic Dairy and Livestock Farms, Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center

10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -$20 per person, including lunch. Presented by Dr. Ann Wells, DVM, Spring Pond Holistic Animal Health, Prarie Grove, Arkansas. For more information contact Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont: 802-434-4122 or info@nofavt.org.

April 10 - Whole Farm Approaches to Parasite Prevention & Control on Organic Dairy and Livestock Farms, Applecheek Farm, Hyde Park

April 12 - Celebrate the Fleece, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

Watch the shearing of sheep, greet the new lambs, and meet people who turn fleece into felt, yarn, and cloth. Spin, card, and dye your own wool. For more information contact www.shelburnefarms.org

April 19 - Beginner/Intermediate Sheep Shearing Class, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the UVM Extension Service. Registration deadline April 4; $100 for lecture and participation, $35 for lecture only. Shelburne Farms, Shelburne. Information and registration: Elaine Burnor, UVM Extension, 278 South Main St., Suite 2, St. Albans, VT 05478; elaine.burnor@uvm.edu ; 800-639-2130 (toll-free) or 802-524-6501 . How to set up equipment and basics of sheep shearing, followed by actual shearing under the supervision of a professional shearer. Each applicant will receive one-on-one instruction with a professional shearer and a shearing handbook with a shearing video. Registrations are limited for the hands-on sharing portion and filled on first-come, first-serve basis.

April 26-27 - Everything Equine, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

Look for the VVMA at the Large Animal Medical Associate's booth! The region’s largest educational horse show, featuring 60 seminars with national and local equine experts including Jane Savoy, 175 exhibitors, 4-H kid’s corner, Breyer’s Model Horse Tour, Versatile Horse competition, silent auction and more. “Horsin’ Around” equine variety show on Saturday, 7 pm, separate admission required. Hours: Saturday, 8:30 am to 6 pm, Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Advance tickets, $6, day of show, $8, kids under 5 free with adult. For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

April 27, Calf Open House, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

TIME: 1–4 pm • Free to all. Usher in the spring at the dairy by greeting the newborn calves and trying your hand at milking a cow. For more information contact www.shelburnefarms.org

May 3 - Beginner/Intermediate Sheep Shearing Class, Windham Foundation, Grafton

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the UVM Extension Service. Registration deadline April 4; $100 for lecture and participation, $35 for lecture only. Windham Foundation, Grafton. Information and registration: Elaine Burnor, UVM Extension, 278 South Main St., Suite 2, St. Albans, VT 05478; elaine.burnor@uvm.edu ; 800-639-2130 (toll-free) or 802-524-6501 . How to set up equipment and basics of sheep shearing, followed by actual shearing under the supervision of a professional shearer. Each applicant will receive one-on-one instruction with a professional shearer and a shearing handbook with a shearing video. Registrations are limited for the hands-on sharing portion and filled on first-come, first-serve basis.

June 6-8 - Summerfield Horse Show, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

June 6-8 - Seventh Annual Strolling of the Heifers Parade & Festival, Brattleboro

This Mardi Gras-like celebration annually occurs during the first weekend in June. The light hearted Strolling of the Heifers Parade on Saturday, June 7, is the festival's focal point. The animal and entertainment cavalcade culminates at Brattleboro Retreat Healthcare's ground where the Dairy Fest and Marketplace, which features food, agricultural demos, Vermont farm products and the Family Farm Fun Tent, takes place. This year, a Vermont Farm Aid concert is a new element of the event! 802-254-4565 stuartcomm@comcast.net or visit: www.strollingoftheheifers.com

June 8 - Humane Society of Chittenden County's 14th Annual Walk and Run for the Animals at Battery Park in Burlington.

For more information, contact the HSCC at 862-0135 or www.chittendenhumane.org.

June 21 - Animal Planet Expo Tour, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

July 11-13 - Vermont Cluster Dog Show, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

July 26 - Cow Appreciation Day at Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, contact 457-2355 or www.billingsfarm.org

August 3 - Sheep Herding with Border Collies at Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, contact 457-2355 or www.billingsfarm.org

August 15-16 - Vermont Dressage Days Horse Show, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

August 23-September 1 - Champlain Valley Fair, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

September 6-7 - Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct.

For more information, www.cvexpo.org or call (802) 878-5545.

September 11-14 - Tunbridge World’s Fair, Tunbridge

Where the past, present, and future meet up for 4 days of the fair! The World’s Fair 2008 may be an agricultural fair with great livestock shows, but a good half of the fair is made alive by our vendors and amusements, many vendors having come for years now. Gillett’s Shows brings the trademark ferris wheel every year, and where would we be without a bit of fried dough? Or Italian sausage, or fudge, or maple cotton candy or...??? 802-889-5555 or E-mail: info@tunbridgefair.com.

Ongoing Events

Humane Society of Chittenden County

142 Kindness Ct., just off Queen City Park Rd., South Burlington

B.I.N.G.O. The HSCC hosts charity bingo at Broadacres Bingo Hall in Colchester two nights a week.l Our regular night is Wednesday, and in March, Friday evening sessions. To find out more about HSCC's session schedule, call DeVida at 802-862-0135 x16.

Dog Training Classes. The HSCC offers classes thoughtout the year for puppies and adult dogs alike and are taught by HSCC's Dog Behaviorist, Kasey Carpenter. To find out more, call Kasey at 802-863-0135 x18 or visit www.chittendenhumane.org.