JUNE 28 - GOING SHEEPISH

Somehow a small idea of raising a couple of sheep for the summer turned into a neighborhood sheep farm.  Last summer in Idaho Samuel raised a lamb and took it to fair.  We told a couple of people that we wanted to do it again this year and the word got out and the next thing we knew we had 6 families involved.  Overall it really is a good experience (we just keep trying to tell ourselves that).  It definitely is not a huge money maker and the work you have to put into it far out weighs the compensation you get in the end.  However, the kids have to work hard (and their parents, I must say ) and it teaches them about responsibility.  So we are in it for the lessons learned and experience gained.  We ended up with 3 sheep because one hurt it's leg. Marah was thrilled because that meant she got to have her own sheep to walk.  She loves roping and chasing down the sheep to take them on walks.  So don't be surprised if Marah is the next FFA president.  She is all business when it comes to walking and caring for these sheep.  It is killing her that she has to be 9 yrs. old to show a lamb at the Weber County Fair.  She can handle the animal better than any kid I've seen.  Last saturday we all gathered together and had a sheep showmanship clinic.  Marlon Winger and his family were so kind to come and share with us their expertise on showmanship.  The kids practiced setting up their sheep and walking them in front of Marlon, our pretend judge.