For centuries, we have relied on sheep’s wool for clothing and blankets, and they relied on us for shearing. Now, sheep can’t molt without human help, though we’re using little of their wool.

South Dakota State University Extension hosts an annual Sheep Shearing School — a skill Sheep Field Specialist Jaelyn Whaley says there is a definite need for.

Most people think of the Valais Blacknose sheep when reading nursery rhymes, and it’s rarely seen outside of Europe. Its fuzzy black face, ears, and hocks make it look more like a toy than a living ...