Help Nova Farming Purchase Sheep Shearing Tools

Hey y’all! I’m Rizpah Bellard, a rancher in Fresno, CA and I just graduated from the UCANR Hopland Research & Extension Center Sheep Shearing school under the instruction of Trevor Hollenback of Hollenback Shearing. In this 7-day course, I learned the New Zealand (AKA Bowen) method of shearing, along with basic care and management of a small flock of sheep. I was taught humane and ethical shearing techniques to reduce stress to both the sheep and myself, I learned about pressure points on sheep, and I learned about the greater global wool industry…something I never thought about! And now, I want to bring all of this knowledge to our youth!

True to our motto “Expose and educate, we grow people”, Nova Farming is looking to inspire America’s next large flock shepherd or ovine veterinary specialist…they just don’t know it’s them yet!

In shearing school, I set the record for fastest beginning shearer at 9 minutes! This class helped me realize I am a natural sheep shearer and I want to put my training into practice. I am looking for donations to help me purchase a motor and driveshaft, shears, and combs and blades. With my own shearing tools, I can travel the state of California as a shearer for hire during our Spring shearing season that runs from April to July.

If you’re interested in seeing more shearing content from a Black cowgirl or want to help support youth learn about the sheep industry, please donate today! And please, share this video and link with others so they can donate too.