Urban Shepherds is a non profit organization promoting the grazing of sheep as a sustainable solution for managing landscaping. The benefits to the community include job creation, reducing environmental impact while lowering the cost of mowing, and producing locally grown food. Urban Shepherds also seeks to promote urban farming and increase sheep production, recruiting and training, and providing support to future shepherds. Urban Shepherds promotes urban grass fed lamb operations. It is our mission to educate urban and suburban residents how they can start their own for profit operations. We will help you start a program in your community, finding flocks, identifying appropriate lots for sheep, help with fundraising, assisting with zoning and permitting for sites, preparing the sites for the flocks, training staff or volunteer shepherds, and securing any needed professional shepherds to oversee projects. Learn more about how you can make money from lamb crops and save money on land management, enhance the environment, and provide social capital by managing your open spaces and vacant lands with sheep. www.UrbanShepherds.org

1. UrbanShepherds.org
Stop Mowing &
Start Grazing

2. UrbanShepherds.org
Urban Shepherds
Urban Shepherds is a non profit organization promoting the grazing of sheep as a
sustainable solution for managing landscaping. The benefits to the community
include job creation, reducing environmental impact while lowering the cost of
mowing, and producing locally grown food. Urban Shepherds also seeks
to promote urban farming and increase sheep production, recruiting and training,
and providing support to future shepherds.
Urban Shepherds promotes urban grass fed lamb operations. It is our mission to
educate urban and suburban residents how they can start their own for profit
operations. We will help you start a program in your community, finding flocks,
identifying appropriate lots for sheep, help with fundraising, assisting with zoning
and permitting for sites, preparing the sites for the flocks, training staff or
volunteer shepherds, and securing any needed professional shepherds to oversee
projects.

3. UrbanShepherds.org
Starting an Urban Grazing
Program
Allowing sheep and goats (small ruminants) to
graze seasonally for vegetation management
within your community.

4. UrbanShepherds.org
Urban Shepherds
• A nonprofit organization and
• A team of experienced planners,
shepherds, and educators who are:
– Promoting grazing as a cost-saving and
environmental alternative to mowing
– Promoting urban farming and increasing sheep
production
– Educating and recruiting future shepherds

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Steps to Getting Started
• Create zoning and permitting to allow for
small ruminants on appropriate sites
• Start Urban Shepherds Training and
Certification
• Work with your regional professional
shepherds to ensure clean healthy flocks

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Our modern idea of lawns was born from images of
European estates that were maintained by sheep.
The Origin of Lawns

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Grazing is Not a New Idea
The White House lawn once had sheep grazing during Wilson's
administration to save money on grounds keeping.

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Today

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Save Money

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• Lawn maintenance runs May through
October, some 24 weeks.
• In spring and fall, the grass needs to be
cut twice per week, and in dry conditions
every week and a half for an average
required of 32 cuttings per acre.
• The cost can top $1,900 per acre per year.

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• Sheep offer a cost-effective alternative to
mechanized mowers for landowners.
• Mechanical mowing of one acre requires
two to five gallons of gasoline.
• Hiring a lawn cut can cost $40-$60 per
week, and at times mowing twice a week.
• Costs can be $120 per week/acre.

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Reduce Environmental
Impacts
• Fact: According to the EPA, one gas mower spews
88 lbs. of the greenhouse gas CO2, and 34 lbs. of other
pollutants into the air every year.
Source: EPA

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Reduce Environmental
Impacts
• Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each
year refueling lawn and garden equipment – more oil
than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
Source: EPA

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Environmental Impacts
• According to Lawn and Landscape Magazine, the EPA
estimates that gas-powered lawn equipment, including
lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws
are responsible for 5% of air pollution in cities.
• Using a new lawn mower (it's much worse for older
models) for an hour creates the same amount of air
pollution as driving a used car for 50 miles
Brower and Leon, The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of
Concerned Scientists, 1999.

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Environmental Impacts
• The University of Florida estimates that a gallon of
gasoline is enough to mow four acres. If mowing season
is considered to span from May until October, this means
that if the lawn is mowed weekly, it will be mowed
approximately 24 times.
• Sustainable Portland estimates that 1 gallon of gas
produces 20 pounds of CO2.
• This means that (1 acre)*(1 gallon of gas/acre)*(20
pounds of CO2/gallon of gas)*(24 times/year)=
480 pounds of CO2 per year per acre

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Benefit of Grazing
• 200 animal days of grazing creates 600
pounds of manure containing ten pounds
of nitrogen and eight pounds of phosphate
that are readily available for plant growth.
• This would be similar to the amount of
fertilizer recommended for a spring
treatment for the average lawn care.

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Benefit of Grazing
• Sheep can operate in conditions, like
steep terrains along power lines, that men
and machines cannot easily access.
• Sheep can eliminate thistle, brush,
noxious weeds, and other invasive plants
and restore native grasses.
• Sheep do not compact the soil or
disturb the indigenous species.

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Sheep Provide a Sense of Place
Neighborhoods take ownership
and keep a watchful eye on the flock.

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Urban Ag-tourism Opportunities
Communities Flock to see the Sheep

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Support Urban Farming
Educational Programming

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Create a More Productive
Crop than Grass Clippings

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Additional Benefits
• Sheep are the original lawn mowers, their
grazing habits are ideally suited to keeping
grass at a uniform height while fertilizing the soil.
• Studies show that sheep mowing reduces
pollution, maintenance, use of herbicides, and
gas and oil requirements. Sheep fertilize while
they graze and produce lean, healthy, local food
and wool products

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Additional Benefits
• The benefits of using natural lawn mowers
go beyond saved time and money.
• An acre of lawn can provide 600 pounds of
grass forage. This is enough forage to
produce about 160 pounds of lamb meat
and several pounds of wool.

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Needed Growth in the
American Sheep Industry

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Lamb as Local Food
Shift to local food purchases means more
money stays in our communities
Based on a $3 food multiplier that can
generate economic development

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Urban Grazing Occurs During
Sheep Maintenance Periods
Urban Shepherds grazing program utilizes sheep and goats
during the maintenance period of the Shepherd’s Calendar

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How It Works
Pasture-based, low input system
• Weaned lambs are purchased and graze
during the growing season until the season
ends and they are ready to be sold at market.
• Non pregnant/non lactating ewes are leased
(and insured) and graze for the season
before returning to their farms for breeding.
• Goats are used for clearing projects.

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• Animals weighed before and after the
grazing season.
• Lambs sold at market for a profit based on
weight gain.

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Maintenance Responsibilities
• Checking to make sure the sheep have
water and mineral daily.
• Checking for any signs of predators or
parasites daily.
• Moving the sheep, temporary fencing, etc.
for rotational grazing every 2 to 3 days.
• Worming, trimming, and shearing as
needed.

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Training & Certification
• Urban Shepherds teaches people how to
care for a flock during maintenance

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Training
• The Shepherd’s Calendar
• How to Handle a Sheep
• How to Oversee Grazing Flocks
• How to Recognize Common Sheep Ailments
• Moving and Maintaining Fencing

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Certification
• Upon completion on training, certification
will ensure the New Urban Shepherds are
ready to care for flocks during the
Maintenance Period of the Shepherd’s
Calendar and that they are prepared for
their Urban Grazing Project

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Model Zoning
• Rely on state standards for raising animals
• Conditional Use for grazing during the
growing season
• Require Urban Shepherd Certification
• Require Urban Shepherd Management Plan
• Require Healthy Flock Certification
• Require Insurance

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Urban Shepherds
Management Plan
• Density
• Fencing
• Rotational Grazing
Plan
• Watering Plan
• Mineral Supplement
• Parasite Management
Plan
• Handling System
• Manure
• Predator Management
Plan
• Biosecurity Plan
• Shepherding Schedule
• Marketing Plan

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Density Plan
• Estimates of forage availability are made
on a case by case basis.
• Professional shepherds calculate carrying
capacity (number of animals to stock
per unit area for a defined time).
• Although rarely found, sites are checked
for any toxic plants before turning in
animals.

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• The value could vary from 1-7 adult sheep
per acre over an entire season or could be
much higher for finite periods (May and
June) during the height of grass
growth. The density of sheep grazing an
area at any point in time depends on how
fast the grass is growing and how often
you move the animals.

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• Daily movements during fast grass growth
might be 500 sheep per acre or just 5
sheep per acre if they are moved every
week when the grass growth has nearly
stopped (August).

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• Quality of forage is less variable:
Weeds can have nearly as much value as
improved grass — so the forage issue is
more about quantity of the vegetation.

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• The more you move sheep, the more they mow.

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Fencing Plan
• Perimeter: Woven wire or goat panel for
secure perimeter to provide a physical
barrier (woven wire up to 4 ft or equivalent
with secure gates)
• Interior for Rotational Grazing Divisions:
Electric fencing or goat panel for
subdivision that is portable and
movable.

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Purpose of Fencing
• To keep livestock contained
• To keep predators out
• To control grazing and manage livestock

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Rotational Grazing Plan
• A plan for moving grazing livestock
between pastures/lawns on a regular basis
• Evaluation of the nutritional and forage
assess forage quality and quantity
• Regulating the acreage of access to
control which parts of the pasture animals
will have access.

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Watering Plan
• Fresh, clean water access needs to be
met with portable water lines or tanks that
move with the animals.
• Water lines can be set up with multiple
access points to make moving grazing
animals efficient.

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Mineral Supplement
• The sheep also need access to a mineral
supplement

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Parasite Management Plan
• A Five Point Check schedule
and FLAMACHA (parasite
diagnostic tool) to deal with
internal parasites
• Parasites are a primary health
issue for sheep/goat producers
• Particular attention to not
calendar worm is needed to
prevent resistant parasites.

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Handling System
• Provisions should be made to gather animals
for inspection and care as needed.
• A portable handling system is needed and can
be shared between sites.
• Animal gathering and movement needs to be
considered and the use of a trained herding
dog permitted.

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Shelter and Catch Pen
• A small pen where animals can be wormed,
vaccinated, treated, and routinely checked.
• A movable structure to provide shade and
relief from extreme weather.
• A locker for mineral feeders and wormer
storage, flock management guides, tools and
medicine, crooks, etc.

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Manure Management
• Manure concerns are minor if the animals are
properly managed with good grazing practices.
• Typically manure disperses into soil well within a
month if a few rain events occur. If it is dry, the
manure may stay around longer, but it will dry
out and lose much of its scent and eventually
decompose as soon as it rains.

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Predator Management Plan
• Fencing for secure perimeter to eliminate
most domestic dogs and other predators
• Use of Guardian animals such as dog or
llama
• Signs to warn the public to avoid pressure
on the flock, theft, etc.

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Biosecurity Plan
• The flock needs to be inspected and tested
for diseases of concern prior to the start of
any urban grazing
• On site, a dip for visitors is needed to
disinfect their footwear and high-risk visitors
should be provided with protective footwear.
• Display signs to provide information on
biosecurity measures.

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Shepherding Schedule
• Daily care of animals
• Pasture management
• Parasite control
• Assistance from professional shepherds
with herding dogs

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Marketing Plan
• Finished lambs need to be sold for highest
net price
• Direct marketing will increase profitability
– Keep ethnic holidays in mind
– Niche marketing opportunities

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Link to Healthy Flocks
• Professional Shepherds provide healthly
sheep from reputable closed flocks to
match your grazing needs.
• Flocks to be certified
– Disease status/parasite resistance status
– Good body condition
– Breed differences

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Offers the Shepherd
• Free Grazing and Flock Management
when Leasing Sheep
• New Market Opportunities Selling
Unfinished Spring Lambs
• Shepherd Consultation Fees for Managing
Urban Areas

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Offers the Landowner
• Education and Training
• Short & Long Term Planning
• Zoning and Permitting
• Program Development, Startup, and Operations
• Coordinating Professional & Volunteer Shepherds
• Flock Management
• Fundraising Assistance
• Program Marketing

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STOP MOWING AND
START GROWING WITH
URBAN SHEPHERDS

57. UrbanShepherds.org
Thank You.
for considering a Greener future.