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An Ellsworth farm family wants more 4-H youth involved in showing sheep at the Rock County Fair.
Chris and Jamie Tiesler will bring their idea to an introductory meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at the Extension office in Luverne.
The Tieslers propose providing interested Rock County youth with quality show lambs as a way to increase the number of sheep exhibited at the July fair event and introduce youth to livestock production.
Working with smaller livestock like a sheep can provide youth with a more positive experience.
“We have sheep in our barn that are like a pet,” Chris said. “I like that aspect. They are a docile animal — for kids, they are fun to work with in learning to lead.”
The Tieslers work with prospective show lambs at two to three weeks of age.
By fair time the 6- to 7-month-old lambs can be led and controlled by their handlers.
Kelsey Maeschen is the Rock County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator.
“Working with animals teaches 4-H’ers to be responsible and helps them gain an understanding of what it takes to care for them,” she said. “This project will not only help 4-H’ers learn how to win or lose graciously, but will help them gain respect for their animal and make new friends along the way.”
Last year, local 4-H’ers were able to participate in a leased livestock agreement through New Vision Co-Op that allowed youth to own, raise, exhibit and sell a calf or hog under the supervision of 4-H and New Vision staff.
The swine program is available again in Rock County this year. Deadline for signup is also Monday.
The Tieslers’ idea is patterned after the lottery lamb program offered by the Murray County 4-H program.
Prior to the May 15 livestock registration deadline, 4-H’ers signed up for the Rock County lamb lottery will have their names randomly drawn to select one or more ewes or wether lambs from the Tiesler herd.
At the fair, special lottery lamb classes will be conducted with all the participating 4-H’ers.
The Tieslers began building their Suffolk/Hampshire-cross herd in 2009 on their acreage east of Ellsworth.
Now the herd consists of almost 100 ewes with more than 80 lambs expected to be on the ground by spring.
About a fourth of the Tiesler lambs are sold for the show ring.
“Everything we raise is home grown,” Chris said.
With that pride comes answers to raising and showing lambs for those youth participating in the lamb lottery. Help will be a phone call away.
“If they have any questions, they will have my phone number,” he said.
Questions about registering for the sheep or swine programs, contact Maeschen at 507-283-1302 or klmaesch@umn.edu.