4-H members show at annual Achievement Days

Brand new to Eddy County 4-H this year was the 4-H Sheep Lease Program. This program offers 4-H members who may not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in a livestock enterprise with a way to carry out a livestock project.

The sheep were housed in the 4-H livestock barn at the Eddy County Fairgrounds (as seen in the background of the photo at left). As this program is geared towards bringing youth a bit of the farm life, each 4-Her participating was expected to do some chores. They groomed and clipped their sheep to maintain a healthy, show-quality coat, cleaned the stalls to maintain a healthy environment for the sheep, and even took turns doing chores on "weekend duty." At the end of the lease period, the sheep were returned to the producer, and the youth received ribbon and premium money at Eddy County 4-H Achievement Days for tending to and showing their animals.

In the photo at right, William Jorgenson, Katie Cleveland, Tillie Swart, Neecie Swart and Nicholas Berglund compete in the sheep showmanship event during 4-H Achievement Days on Friday, July 9.

See all the results from this year's achievement days at this link: https://www.newrockfordtranscript.com/story/2021/07/19/news/2021-eddy-county-4-h-achievement-days/6976.html