MERCER COUNTY

Sheep growers tend skills at Shepherd’s Night

Area sheep and wool growers enjoyed a lamb dinner and learned more about their business at the Shepherd’s Night Thursday at the Mercer County 4-H Park and Extension Center, Coolspring Township.

Co-sponsored by the Extension and Mercer County Sheep & Wool Growers, the evening began with a "skill-a-thon" where attendees had the chance to identify feed and equipment related to sheep farming, different breeds of sheep, grade wool and judge sheep.

"It’s the first time I’ve done wool grading. I think it will help me since my family and I raise sheep commercially, for both the wool and the meat," said Pamela Courtney, 56, of Mercer.

"It also made me feel good that I picked out the same sheep the experts did; that I’m using the same criteria with my not-so-trained eye as they are," Mrs. Courtney added.

Duane Miller, 64, of Salem, Ohio, came to support the area wool growers. "My wife and daughter own a sheep business, so we came to be supportive. This area is fortunate to have sheep producers organized out here."

Following the skill-a-thon, a lamb dinner was served in the Extension office, then Dick and Jane Burlingame of Russell, Pa, spoke about raising animals naturally and marketing them.

"I came because of my interest in sheep, to learn more about them," said Tim Gadsby, 15, of Stoneboro. Gadsby owns about 15 sheep and will be showing them for the first time at the Big Butler Fair next week.

"We just want to give area sheep and wool growers another educational opportunity," said Butler Extension Agent Don Hunter. "After all, the Extension is an educational arm of Penn State University."