Youth need sponsors for sheep project

The Jackson County Youth Livestock group, currently made up of around 10 members, began meeting earlier this year on a bi-monthly basis on the second and fourth Thursdays. Topics for the meetings have consisted of various livestock industry topics including general livestock management tools and practices (ear tagging, deworming, castrations, etc.) and the majority of the group is currently about to begin their sheep projects.

The Jackson County Youth Sheep project teaches fundamental production methods of the current sheep industry and allows youth to explore the areas of animal husbandry, livestock selection and evaluation, health management and even meat science.

Sheep projects include market lambs and breeding ewes.

The main objectives for the sheep project however, include:

1) developing life skills essential for becoming skilled, productive and responsible citizens

2) cultivating skills and interests that can assist in future career preparation

3) developing quality leadership skills that promote positive youth development

4) learning to value and apply ethical, industry-accepted practices and research findings in specific project areas

Youth, along with their family, that are involved in the sheep project have made a commitment to work with their project animal on a regular basis (daily) and keep it clipped, clean and exercised, for the duration of the project. As a participant, youth will also be completing a project record book which will assist them in developing other life skills such as responsibility, goal setting, record-keeping, stress management and self-discipline.

The project began Thursday, May 11, when lambs were picked up, and will go through late August and/or September, when youth will show their lambs at the local agricultural fair livestock shows, such as the Swain County Fair.

The Jackson County Youth Sheep Project is currently seeking sponsorship to help youth pay for their project animals as well as feed and equipment (halters and buckets).

Anyone interested in speaking with someone related to sponsorship or involvement in the group may find out more information by contacting me at the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Center at 586-4009 or by email at kendra_norton@ncsu.edu. Contact the Swain County 4-H Livestock group at 488-3848.