Greene County 4-H members still have time to enroll in the 2017 Community Lamb Barn project.
The goal of the Greene County Community Lamb Barn Project is to make market lambs available to Greene County youngsters who are interested in completing a livestock project but who don’t have facilities and/or financing to allow it. Any youth currently enrolled in 4-H is eligible. Applications must be turned in at the Extension office by April 15.
Maintenance of accepted record keeping with instruction by mentors is an expectation. Each participant is responsible for the care, feeding, and preparation for showing their lambs, which is accomplished in a team fashion with details determined by supervising mentors. Grooming and showing workshops are held before the fair.
Besides the accountability and educational value there is an emotional attachment that comes from working with an animal. That can be seen as the kids load their lambs on the truck at the end of the fair. But after the year is over and we are looking at a new one Caden Etherton said, “Sheep is my favorite project.” Noble Hoyt agreed.
The Greene County Lamb Producers recently thanked the Greene County Community Foundation for the $1,000 donation to the Community Lamb Barn Project. With the Community Foundation funding the Lamb Producers were able to buy a five-head show rail, a steel sheep blocking stand, an air blow dryer, and two sets of blades for their clippers. The equipment was used this summer for the fifth year of the project in which 15 youngsters participated showing 25 lambs at the Greene County Fair.
Persons who want more information on the Community Lamb Barn Project or any other 4-H project can can call the Greene County ISU Extension and Outreach office at 515-386-2138.
Applications for funding from the Community Foundation for 2017 are due Feb. 9. Visit forgreenecounty.org for more information.
