Applications are open for our Herding Dog Foundation Camp for Regenerative Producers! 

Are you a regenerative farmer or rancher utilizing herding dogs in your operation? Apply to attend this two-day foundation camp, led by specialists Hana Fullmer and Cathy Sumeracki, and be in community with peers in your field.

While the cost of the camp is free, upon acceptance, handlers must purchase and download Cathy’s Foundation Boot Camp Handbook from her website for $50: https://www.summernyranch.com/store/p41/FOUNDATION_BOOTCAMP_MANUAL.html

Once your application is submitted, Quivira Coalition will accept handlers on a rolling basis within a week of receiving your application. The camp has space for 12 handlers and their dogs.

Interested in auditing? Email nina.katz@quiviracoalition.org to be an observer. Auditors may not bring a dog to the camp, but will still learn a lot from the instructors. 

Why apply?

This foundation camp is designed for handlers who want more than mechanical instruction. While many participants might be newer to herding, a significant number are experienced handlers who want to shift from mechanical handling to a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play. 

Across all levels, the same shift tends to happen: people realize it is not their job to herd. The dog already carries the instinct and skill to do that. The handler’s role is to provide direction, communicate the rules of the work, and help refine that natural instinct so the dog can operate with clarity and confidence.

Most handler challenges do not stem from a lack of effort, but rather from the inability to accurately see what is happening in real time. Once that changes, timing improves, pressure becomes clearer, and the work becomes significantly more effective.

Having a herding dog can be an asset in your regenerative agriculture toolbox when it comes to moving livestock through a rotational grazing system and preventing overgrazing on both private and public lands.

How the camp works:

This is a true working format designed to keep handlers engaged throughout the entire camp. Enrollment is limited to 12 handlers, divided into three groups of four. Each group rotates every 90 minutes through three stations:

  • Working session with Cathy Sumeracki
  • Working session with Hana Fullmer
  • Structured learning block (no dogs): video review, exercises, and understanding checks

This structure ensures continuous learning rather than passive waiting for turns.

What you’ll learn:

As handlers begin to understand pressure, timing, and influence — rather than relying on mechanical instruction — their dogs become more consistent, more thoughtful, and easier to work with.

The goal is not to control the dog’s work, but to support and refine it.

When that shift happens, the work becomes quieter, more connected, and more effective. The handler stops trying to make things happen and begins to understand how to guide what is already there.

Skills and drills:

  • Five laws of leadership exercises 
  • Getting your dog’s mind 
  • Find the joy 
  • Square flanks
  • Stops 
  • Arena dynamics 
  • Navigating obstacles 
  • Pen/corner work 
  • And more

Hana Fullmer: Hana and her husband Daniel own Tierra Vida Farms, a two-acre farm committed to growing the most nutrient dense vegetables possible at the base of the San Juan Mountains. Part of this includes managing a goat herd which relies heavily on her dog Zoey, who is her most reliable hand.

Hana brings real life experience to herding training. Her methods are the same as SummerNy’s, utilizing as much as much of the dog’s innate ability as possible. As a trainer, she is patient and soft spoken. Her gift is the ability to explain herding so her students can understand it. Herding can be difficult to grasp and Hana makes it easy!

Hana works with all breeds and all levels. She is one of the trainers for foundation camps and does private lessons.

 

Cathy Sumeracki: Cathy began herding in 2005 after getting a rescue Border Collie, Midge, who, despite Cathy’s attempts at agility, insisted on herding. Once Midge and Cathy met Dawna Sims (PSR Stock Dogs) and saw Dawna’s training methods, she vowed to articulate those methods so herding training was clearer to the dogs and handlers. She co-founded the ICE Training program with Dawna Sims. She is also co-author of the book, “Teaching the Rules of the Hunt, An Introduction to Herding.” She has authored multiple herding shorts and a Herding Practice Manual. These are easy to read and follow step by step instructions (with exercises) on various topics including take pen, penning, square flanks and more.

Since 2010, her training has evolved into a methodic program that is suitable for all breeds and ensures the dog is doing the work.

Cathy is not about titles or ribbons – it’s always about good work! Since her first trial in 2008, she has had a great track record in all of the herding venues, including seven ASCA Working Trial Dog Champions, 10+ AHBA Herding Trial Dog Champions and 12+ AKC Herding Champions. She has earned hundreds of High in Trials and had five Most Promising Started dogs who are now working at open and advanced levels. She has competed in time and points on cattle, making the top ten at the Denver Stock show with her Rowdy boy. She currently has 10 students, (many who are working at an advanced level) and gives clinics throughout the U.S. Cathy is an AHBA judge and an AKC herding judge.

In addition to lessons, Cathy teaches a number of classes that are designed to assist in the success of herding for the dog and the handler. Her classes are known for their high energy, fun format.