Agritourism Events 2026!

What Makes These Programs Different

Most farm “events” are passive. These are not.

Each session is structured around:

Small-group, interactive learning
Real operational workflows (not demonstrations built for optics)
Direct engagement with equipment, animals, and systems
Q&A and discussion built into the program design

From a program design standpoint, each session is built to run approximately two-four hours, allowing for meaningful instruction, hands-on exposure, and participant interaction.

Stay Connected

Because many of these programs have limited capacity and variable scheduling based on farm operations, the best way to stay informed is:

Follow us on Facebook for announcements and registration openings.
Sign up for our mailing list (below)
Check our website regularly for updated dates and program details

Cost & Access

All programs are offered at little to no cost to participants due to grant support from the State of New Jersey.

This funding allows us to:

Bring in experienced professionals (shearers, butchers)
Provide educational materials and structured programming
Maintain safe, well-organized learning environments

The Bottom Line

This initiative is about rebuilding practical knowledge.

If you’re interested in:

Raising your own animals
Understanding where your food comes from
Learning traditional skills that are increasingly rare these programs are designed to give you a grounded, no-nonsense introduction.

Upcoming Programs at Sheepy Hollow Farms

Hands-On Agritourism Education in Ethical Livestock Production & Processing

Updated May 7, 2026

Sheepy Hollow Farms is proud to launch a series of hands-on, educational programs designed to give participants a practical understanding of ethical livestock raising, processing, and sustainable land management.

These programs are supported through funding from the New Jersey Agritourism Grant Program, enabling us to offer high-quality, small-group experiences at little cost to the community.

Our objective is straightforward: provide real-world exposure to responsible farming practices, from animal care to pasture management to processing, in a way that is transparent, educational, and grounded in how farming is actually done.

1. Sheep Shearing Demonstration

NEW DATE: Sunday, May 17th, 9-11:30am.

This live demonstration offers a firsthand look at proper shearing techniques and animal handling. Participants will:

Observe safe, humane shearing practices performed by a professional shearer
Learn why shearing is essential for animal health and welfare
See hoof trimming and general livestock maintenance in practice
Have the opportunity to ask questions in a working farm environment

This is not a staged demonstration. It reflects standard farm operations, including real-time decision-making and animal handling (and catching!).

Interested in attending? Message us on Facebook to reserve a spot.

2. Hands-On Butchering Demonstrations (Fall)

Dates: To Be Determined

We will host two in-depth butchering demonstrations (with a mobile, professional butcher on-farm) focused on either lamb, deer or pork, depending on participant interest and seasonal availability.

Each session will:

Walk through the full processing workflow from carcass to usable cuts
Cover basic anatomy, breakdown techniques, and meat utilization
Address food safety, storage, and freezer preparation
Emphasize ethical harvesting and respect for the animal

These sessions are designed for individuals who want a practical understanding of where their food comes from and how it is processed responsibly.

3. Portable Fencing & Grazing Systems

Timing: Early to Mid-Summer (Date TBD)

This program focuses on one of the most important operational levers in small-scale livestock farming: controlled grazing.

Participants will learn:

How to set up and manage portable electric fencing systems
Rotational grazing strategies to improve pasture health and productivity
Species-specific considerations (sheep, pigs, poultry, goats - all onsite for the demo)
Predator mitigation and pasture protection techniques

This session ties directly to real farm infrastructure investments, including fencing systems and grazing tools used daily on-site.

4. Pasture-Raised Poultry Series

Timing: Late Summer to Early Fall (Date TBD)

This multi-part educational series provides a start-to-finish overview of raising poultry on pasture.

Core topics include:

Sourcing and selecting birds
Brooding and early-stage care
Transitioning birds to pasture systems
Feeding, health management, and humane treatment
Processing and preparing poultry for home consumption

The goal here is end-to-end literacy. Participants should leave with a clear understanding of the full lifecycle and what it actually takes to raise poultry properly.