Perhaps not the right place for this? Please move (or delete) if need be.
This is my first post- I have been "lurking"on and off for some time and I have enjoyed observing. I am 27 and employed by a non-profit to manage a 5 acre vegetable "farm" in southeastern Wisconsin. My cousin owns Simangus cattle (cows are at my place) and I have (mostly) pastured swine/poultry. Beyond catching lambs and moving irrigation, my sheep experience is limited. They keep me employed over the winter doing a variety of things, but i am interested in finding some seasonal employment/apprenticeship over the winter. Obviously, somewhere south is the most logical location. I have been a herding dog nerd since I could walk i think, and currently have a 4 yr old herding mix (just a savvy farm dog, not much herd in him) and a recently turned 2 "mcnab" I brought back with me from the west coast. He wants to work and has been to one session with a sheep trainer. Although i really am tempted to spend all my money doing it, finding the time/money to go to lessons (and it would seem to me, if i do it, i need to do it often) is hard and almost impossible during the growing season. I am looking for training for ME moreso than just the dog i have now, but the chance to work him consistantly with sheep would be great too.I have considered purchasing sheep but i would like to gain a little more know-how and be sure i have a dog to work before i do all that (building fence, round pen, planning some rotations w/ grain/cover crops etc etc). Anyway, I think my best bet is to get out to trials and talk to folks, i have started that and will continue to do so, but i figured it wouldnt hurt to post here either. I guess the summary of my ramble is I am seeking someone with stock, stock dogs and experience breeding both. In a perfect world this person would also be into vegetable/fruit production (or interested in starting a garden) beekeeping, butchering, anything of the like. Obviously, i would give more detail about myself to anyone interested and expect to submit some something of a cover letter/resume/ references. I can drive a tractor, but im not a mechanic. I have vegetable/livestock/grain farming experience but am far from an expert. Decent with tools and very willing to work. I spend too much of my free time learning/reading about herding and stock dogs and am turning into an abca pedigree nerd, but have very little real world experience to show for it. If anyone even just has any ag boards/dog boards/ or resources they would suggest for my search, please let me know! Thanks!
