Working in partnership with the County Extension Agents and local High School Agriculture Teachers, SEKSPA arranges for donations of sheep to qualified students.  The students who are selected for the program are provided with a curriculum that includes classroom and hands-on instruction, publications and educational materials, routine (weekly or monthly) call-in checks and a 24/7 emergency on-call advisory service. 

Qualified students have two potential options to follow for starting their flock of sheep.  The first option is to receive two (2) weaned lambs to raise which they can enter into competitions (county fairs, market lamb shows, etc.) in order to obtain show ring experience. The donated lambs can be grown out and eventually bred to produce more lambs if the student so desires. The second path is to receive two (2) mature ewes that have been exposed to a ram. The student would be provided with approximate lambing dates if possible.

Participating students are expected to give a prescribed number of lambs that are born from each donated sheep back to the ‘Sheep Donation Program’. If 4 or more lambs are successfully raised, 2 lambs will be given back to the program. If 3 lambs are successfully raised, 1 lamb will be given back to the program. If 2 or less lambs are successfully raised, 0 lambs will be given back to the program. Students can choose which lambs are given back to the program. The lambs should be weaned after 90-days before they are given back to the program. The give-back requirement will continue until the number of sheep given back matches the number received. The lambs that the students keep can be sold, processed for the freezer, or kept and bred to increase the students flock, as he or she wishes. The donated ewes cannot be sold until after the second lambing season without the permission from the Extension Service, Agriculture Teacher and/or SEKSPA.

An application form and a farm visit is used to determine the student’s qualifications for the ‘Sheep Donation Program’. Students and parents will enter into a written agreement with the Extension Service or Agriculture Teacher to ensure an understanding of the requirements of the program. The program is competitive and the student’s application to the program will be evaluated on the basis of: (1) their level of commitment, responsibility and willingness to successfully raise the sheep; and, (2) their ability to provide appropriate facilities (shelter, space, feed, water, etc.). Under special conditions, some loaned materials may be available to enhance a student’s ability. If the student violates the conditions of the agreement, the Extension Service, Agriculture Teacher and/or SEKSPA will take possession of the sheep. The sheep will be checked by a veterinarian at SEKSPA’s expense before the donation is made. The family will be required to be members of SEKSPA in good standing (dues are $10 per family per year).