Would you like to show sheep?
But You Can’t for Some Reason
1. Don’t own a sheep
2. Can’t afford to buy a sheep
3. Lives where you can’t have sheep
4. Want to try but not sure if you want to commit long term
Opportunity for you
Ø Learn about sheep
Ø Participate in several sheep shows across the state
Ø Participate in clinics
Ø Little to no cost to you
Requirements
v Time
v Member of 4-H, FFA or both
v Parents’ permission
v Some parent involvement
Contact for further information and a tour of the farm
But You Can’t for Some Reason
1. Don’t own a sheep
2. Can’t afford to buy a sheep
3. Lives where you can’t have sheep
4. Want to try but not sure if you want to commit long term
Opportunity for you
Ø Learn about sheep
Ø Participate in several sheep shows across the state
Ø Participate in clinics
Ø Little to no cost to you
Requirements
v Time
v Member of 4-H, FFA or both
v Parents’ permission
v Some parent involvement
Contact for further information and a tour of the farm
Sponsorship Program
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM:
We started out as a family that had no clue about showing. We have learned many things along the way. Trysten, our youngest son, had the biggest heart in the world. A few years ago a friend asked Trysten to help her show chickens. He taught her many things. When he saw what bird she had to show Trysten even gave her a bird that was much easier for her to handle to compete with. He was 9 years old teaching other kids how to show. As he stood in line waiting his turn in competion he would give pointers to the other kids he noticed were new at it. One year Dakota was approached by a girl because he was showing a breed of rabbit that she liked very much. She talked to him about her rabbit and unfortunately Dakota had to tell her she was sold a crossbred rabbit and not a show quality rabbit. She had never shown a rabbit so Dakota sat with her several times and went over the showmanship routine with her. She placed high in her age group. That made him very proud.
Over the years the boys grew in what they were showing. They have all tried to show at least once rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. They also developed high proficiency in showing rabbits, chickens and sheep. Placing in the top placing at places such as Florida State Fair.
Striving to be better we started attending every clinic that was offered. Trysten set a high goal for himself so he was striving to fulfill that goal, compete at NAILE in Lousiville one day. At one clinic he attended the instructor had told him he needed to teaching a class not taking one. This instructor's word meant a lot to Trysten so he would teach but would also continue to attend as many clinics and seminars he could because there would always be a different viewpoint he could look at and see if it could be helpful. Knowledge and being open to learning is the key.
When we started showing we had 1 sheep and no one taught us anything. We have picked our knowledge up from other breeders who were willing to sit and talk with us. Dakota was never taught how to show. He walked into the ring the first time without any clue on how to show his sheep and got second place.
After a very bad experience we decided that we did not want to see others go through what we did. But also we wanted to give kids who wanted to show but could not for some reason a chance to show. Our herd growing. Austin is a senior in high school next year, 2015 - 2016, so it is his last year showing. He has taken a breed that was unknown on the show circuit and has won grand and reserve champions with them.
So this program is here to help kids that want to show livestock but have not had he opportunity for some reason. One of the main reasons is that the parents can not make the investment into the animal that the kid would like to show. Another is that the kid lives somewhere where they can't have any livestock and no alternative place to keep it. Another reason is that the kid wants to experience showing but not sure they would like but won't try it because they don't want to buy an animal they may not enjoy showing and be stuck with that animal. This program is about time commitment in the beginning. Because where I am located I can offer this program to kids in Volusia and Lake county. For most shows you need to be a FFA or 4H member. This is not a club so you don't have to leave your club or chapter to be part of this program. The animals you begin with are ours but that doesn't mean they are you limits. There are many routes that can be taken. We know many livestock breeders.
For more in depth details please feel free to contact us.
We started out as a family that had no clue about showing. We have learned many things along the way. Trysten, our youngest son, had the biggest heart in the world. A few years ago a friend asked Trysten to help her show chickens. He taught her many things. When he saw what bird she had to show Trysten even gave her a bird that was much easier for her to handle to compete with. He was 9 years old teaching other kids how to show. As he stood in line waiting his turn in competion he would give pointers to the other kids he noticed were new at it. One year Dakota was approached by a girl because he was showing a breed of rabbit that she liked very much. She talked to him about her rabbit and unfortunately Dakota had to tell her she was sold a crossbred rabbit and not a show quality rabbit. She had never shown a rabbit so Dakota sat with her several times and went over the showmanship routine with her. She placed high in her age group. That made him very proud.
Over the years the boys grew in what they were showing. They have all tried to show at least once rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. They also developed high proficiency in showing rabbits, chickens and sheep. Placing in the top placing at places such as Florida State Fair.
Striving to be better we started attending every clinic that was offered. Trysten set a high goal for himself so he was striving to fulfill that goal, compete at NAILE in Lousiville one day. At one clinic he attended the instructor had told him he needed to teaching a class not taking one. This instructor's word meant a lot to Trysten so he would teach but would also continue to attend as many clinics and seminars he could because there would always be a different viewpoint he could look at and see if it could be helpful. Knowledge and being open to learning is the key.
When we started showing we had 1 sheep and no one taught us anything. We have picked our knowledge up from other breeders who were willing to sit and talk with us. Dakota was never taught how to show. He walked into the ring the first time without any clue on how to show his sheep and got second place.
After a very bad experience we decided that we did not want to see others go through what we did. But also we wanted to give kids who wanted to show but could not for some reason a chance to show. Our herd growing. Austin is a senior in high school next year, 2015 - 2016, so it is his last year showing. He has taken a breed that was unknown on the show circuit and has won grand and reserve champions with them.
So this program is here to help kids that want to show livestock but have not had he opportunity for some reason. One of the main reasons is that the parents can not make the investment into the animal that the kid would like to show. Another is that the kid lives somewhere where they can't have any livestock and no alternative place to keep it. Another reason is that the kid wants to experience showing but not sure they would like but won't try it because they don't want to buy an animal they may not enjoy showing and be stuck with that animal. This program is about time commitment in the beginning. Because where I am located I can offer this program to kids in Volusia and Lake county. For most shows you need to be a FFA or 4H member. This is not a club so you don't have to leave your club or chapter to be part of this program. The animals you begin with are ours but that doesn't mean they are you limits. There are many routes that can be taken. We know many livestock breeders.
For more in depth details please feel free to contact us.
Autumn. our niece, is the first kid in our sponsorship program. She wanted to learn more about showing Livestock. She showed for 2 years. She shows dogs also. Her reason is because she wants to keep Trysten's dream alive. She graduated high school 2017. She set her heart on kathdins but after the passing of her other cousin Austin she showed some of Austin's Florida Cracker Sheep.
William and Alex, McKenzie's brother, (yes twins) they came to see their sister showing and they wanted to get involved.
Caleb, his dad wants to help him be more confident and outgoing so this is a method they are trying. He has just started with us over the summer but looks like it maybe helping him come out of that shell.