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Ranchers Training to Show New Sheep
01/26/2012

A generous donation of sheep at the Batesville Ranch a few months ago has led us to begin a show program for our new additions.  I know that this is the easiest project to start as far as a show project for anyone just starting out.  After a few emails, a donor offered to buy the Ranch a set of four ewe lambs to show in the fall, and then we are going to use the lambs to start raising our own flock of sheep.  The lambs came from a breeder in Mississippi who is very well known for raising high quality show lambs.  The kids at the Ranch are excited about the new project and are starting to prepare the animals to show at the North Central Arkansas District Fair in the fall of 2012.

I hope to grow the program to the point of raising our own show lambs to take to the Arkansas State Fair next year.  The reason we are starting a show program is that I want the Ranchers to have the opportunity to show animals and understand the importance of farming in many different aspects.  I feel that this program will help our kids learn responsibility, leadership, a hard work ethic, and an overall feeling of pride!  The skills listed are all traits that we need to have, but they are especially something that the kids in today’s society need!  We hope to expand the variety of animals soon to include goats and cattle.  We are just trying to get new and exciting opportunities for children here at the Ranch!

By: Phillip Ives

About @YouthRanches

The Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches provide a loving, safe place to call home for children across Arkansas. Founded in 1976 by Arkansas sheriffs, ASYR has been home to more than 2,300 boys and girls from every corner of the state.