Shearers Utilize Social Media

You may have noticed the increasing popularity of certain social mediums. The newly formed American Sheep Shearers Council (ASSC) is now utilizing one of those mediums - Facebook - to communicate with other shearers across the country and the world.

"As a new organization, we were looking for an effective way to make it possible for our members to communicate with each other, and Facebook seemed to fill that need," commented Jim Bristol (Mich.), secretary/treasurer of the ASSC. "By utilizing modern technology, we are able to promote our industry and get the word out about who we are and what we do."

The Facebook page is designed to give all shearers, from beginners to advanced, a place to get information and to ask questions. Details about upcoming shearing contests are posted there as well as information about shearing schools and classes.

"Many of the shearers in this country also have a rapport with their counterparts from other parts of the world, and this medium allows for a fast and easy way to communicate," continued Bristol. 

The goals of the ASSC are to create a team effort to assist in preparing a quality American wool clip, to help improve the reputation of U.S. wool and to promote U.S. sheep shearers worldwide.

The council is also developing a Web site to be launched in the future.