Get ready for a hands-on farm experience at Whispering Pines in Seneca, SC!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Baby Goats and Lambs is an in-depth class for anyone who wants to learn how to care for pregnant goats and sheep, recognize labor signs, assist in delivery, and handle newborns with confidence.

You’ll get up close with baby goats and lambs, learn milking basics, newborn care, bottle feeding, and homesteading tips that matter. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just curious, this event delivers the real, practical skills you need - and it’s a great gift idea too.

👉 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-baby-goats-and-lambs-for-2026-tickets-1977817107209?aff=oddtdtcreator

Volunteer Training for Lambuary is a hands-on orientation for able-bodied volunteers who want to help during lambing season at Whispering Pines Dairy in Seneca, SC. This training prepares volunteers for the real work that happens before the cuddles - caring for pregnant sheep and goats, watching for labor signs, assisting when needed, feeding and watering animals, and protecting newborns from the elements.

Participants will tour the full 180-acre working farm, learn daily care routines, understand pasture safety, and get familiar with the physical demands of lambing season. Expect lots of walking, outdoor work in all weather, and meaningful responsibility. This training is required for volunteers who plan to help on a regular weekly basis and is not designed for children. Family-friendly options are available through other programs like Little Shepherds and Lamb Camp.

If you want deeper, step-by-step instruction on labor and delivery, check out the separate class What to Expect When You’re Expecting Baby Goats and Lambs.

👉 Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-training-for-lambuary-tickets-1979522956450?aff=oddtdtcreator

Little Shepherds Class is a hands-on farm experience designed for children and families who want to learn how to care for sheep and goats while experiencing lambing and kidding season up close. Hosted at Whispering Pines Farm in Seneca, SC, this class teaches kids how to safely approach, handle, and help care for livestock, including newborn lambs and baby goats.

Participants will be out in the pastures with working guardian dogs, pregnant animals, and possibly newborns - and there is a real chance of witnessing a live birth during class.
This is an interactive, educational experience similar to 4-H, open to all ages, and ideal for homeschool families, young animal lovers, and teens interested in future volunteer opportunities.

Parents must attend. Closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty are required.

👉 Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-shepherds-class-tickets-1979474951867?aff=oddtdtcreator

About This Event (Sign Up on our EventBrite Page)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, come celebrate the blessings that sheep give us: milk, meat, and wool.

This event brings together the best of education, craftsmanship, and farm life. Perfect for homeschoolers, homesteaders, craft lovers, and anyone who wants to connect with where their food and fiber come from.

What to Expect:
• Learn how to work with wool—spinning wheels, looms, and hands-on demos
• Explore how sheep milk becomes cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
• Talks and demonstrations on raising healthy sheep and managing quality forages
• Learn about rotational grazing and small-scale dairy management
• Visit the farm store for artisan cheese, wool goods, and farm-made products

Learn how you can purchase starter flocks for your homestead or hobby farm

Bring a bag to take home wool for craft projects. Free wool to each attendee!

You’ll leave with new knowledge, inspiration, and maybe a few new farm-made treasures to take home. Farm Store will be open for purchases!

Sign up here!

***South Carolina Sheep Association Members can attend Free of Charge. Not a member? Register here - www.scsheep.com

Homesteading 201: Sheep, Goats, and Native Grasses

Join us at Whispering Pines Dairy on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM (ET) for an in-depth look at how to raise sheep and goats while making the most of your land.

What You’ll Learn

• How to raise sheep and goats for milk, meat, or family sustainability

• The role of native grasses in improving soil health and supporting your herd

• Practical management techniques to balance livestock care with land stewardship

• Real-world insights from experienced shepherds and homesteaders

Who Should Attend
This workshop is designed for both new and experienced homesteaders who want to expand their skills and learn how to build a productive, sustainable homestead.

Why It Matters
Sheep, goats, and native grasses work together to provide food, improve land quality, and create a healthier environment for your family and community.

Come ready to learn, share, and connect with other homesteaders. This event combines education with hands-on learning, giving you knowledge you can take home and put into practice.

We look forward to seeing you at the farm!

Sign up on our Eventbrite page!

Shepherding 101 at Whispering Pines Dairy

Spend the day learning the essentials of shepherding on a working dairy farm. This hands-on class is designed for families, aspiring homesteaders, and anyone curious about sheep and goats.

What to Expect

• Rotating Learning Stations: Small groups will rotate every 20–30 minutes for focused time at each activity.

• Milking Parlor: Learn what equipment is needed and practice milking sheep and goats.

• Pasture Tour: Explore our pastures and understand the basics of nutrition, shelter, and fencing for healthy flocks.

• Health Checks: Practice FAMACHA scoring and BCS, learn humane handling techniques, and discover how to care for young lambs and kids.

• Wool Workshop: Try your hand at felting with a take-home project, plus take home extra raw wool (bring a bag).

• Bible Lesson: Learn why sheep are the most mentioned animal in the Bible, taught by a shepherd.

• Working Farm in Action: Watch Border Collies herd, see livestock guardian dogs at work, and experience daily feeding and farm tasks.

Farm Store
Our farm store will be open after class with cheeses, meats, fresh milk (cow, goat, and sheep), kefir, yogurt, and wool products including yarn, roving, blankets, and hides.

Who Should Come
We have taught visitors from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, inspiring new micro dairies and homesteads. If you are considering starting your own flock, this class is the perfect place to begin. Families are welcome, and children under 5 attend free. Tickets are the same price for children and adults, with discounts for SC Sheep members.

What to Bring

• Weather-appropriate clothes

• Rain or rubber boots (easy to hose off)

• Baby wipes and hand sanitizer

• Water bottle

• Bag for wool to take home

This event runs rain or shine. The SC Sheep annual meeting will follow the class. Do not miss this opportunity to connect with nature, gain practical skills, and enjoy a memorable farm day.

Sign up now on our Eventbrite page!

Learn how to raise healthy, happy sheep & goats using regenerative forage methods at our upcoming event!

Sign up on our Eventbrite Page

Date and time

Saturday, September 27 · 9am - 3:30pm EDT. Doors at 8:30am

Location

Whispering Pines Stables/Upstate Equestrian Ministry

681 Campbell Bridge road Seneca, SC 29678

Get directions

Agenda

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Gates Open, Follow Signs to parking areas and Sign in

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Introduction to Whispering Pines and the dairy.

A brief tour of the facilities, a quick description of how to milk and introduction of speakers. Then we will divide up into groups to walk through different pastures. The leaders will stay in their area and attendees will move from pasture to pasture to benefit from learning from each forage expert.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Forage evaluations

Whispering Pines has 180 acres with over 25 different pastures of a variety of forages to suit the wide variety of livestock. Attendees will learn how to evaluate forages for nutritional value, identify Native grasses, seasonal annuals, grasses, legumes, brassicas and forbs as well as learn the why and what purpose of each type of forage to bring to your farm- whether medicinal value for small ruminants or increase of protein, fiber or mineral values and the related soil health outcomes.

Also, the methods needed for each forage- whether to broadcast or drill! Great information for seasoned farmers or beginning homesteaders!

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

How to milk sheep, goats and cows

We have an option to learn milking of cows, sheep and goats for any interested attendees.

This option is available at no additional charge but you will need to sign up by contacting Whispering Pines by 9/20/25. Only limited number of attendees can sign up.

This experience will be an overview but a dedicated milking class is recommended, which we offer throughout the milking season on Tuesday- Friday by appointment.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Basics on Sheep and Goats

Learn basic handling, herding, hoof care and health check basics. Some small ruminants have been handled less than others. Learn good shepherding techniques! Chasing them is not one of the techniques!

Learn the how to in handling, basic health checks, learn how to do vaccinations and why? An opportunity to learn some basic hoof trimming techniques and corrective hoof care. For those interested in evaluating breeding stock or learning some tips for record keeping during breeding season, we're already started and share our methods at Whispering Pines.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch - We provide lunch. Great time for networking!

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

FAMACHA Certification and Body Condition Scoring

FAMACHA is a great tool for evaluating anemia in small ruminants (sheep and goats). Using this method, you can determine whether you need to deworm or not. Dewormers should not be given periodically but only when necessary. Learn what dewormers should and should not be used on sheep and goats as well as parasite resistance to certain types of dewormers. This segment will have a class room as well as hands-on opportunity.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Wrap-up- final thoughts and questions, finishing up on skill trainings

About this event

South Carolina Sheep and Goat Association welcomes you to Whispering Pines Dairy Farm sponsored by National Grazing Lands Coalition

Raise healthy, happy sheep & goats with regenerative forage practices

Come join us at Whispering Pines for a hands-on event all about raising your sheep and goats the right way! Learn about regenerative forage practices that will keep your animals healthy and happy. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to improve their livestock management skills. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals and gain valuable knowledge to take back to your own farm. See you there!

Join us for a hands-on introduction to the art of cheese making.

We will begin with a guided tour of our creamery, where you will see the molds, methods, and equipment behind our cheeses. You will also get an overview of the different products we create right here on the farm.

Next, roll up your sleeves as we learn the process of making cheese. You will follow along with a recipe you can take home, and each guest will leave with a 1/2 pound of fresh soft cheese.

Fresh milk and cheese-making supplies will be available for purchase. Because it is the end of milking season and quantities are limited, we recommend placing orders in advance. Our farm store will also be open after class.

Sign up here on our Eventbrite page!