The Eugene Blair AL Starter Flock Program 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE- JULY 15TH, 2022

1. Purpose:
To increase lamb and sheep production in Alabama by helping interested people get started with a small flock and by providing the needed education and support to encourage success in the raising of lambs in Alabama.

2. Plans:
The program will provide selected individual(s) with four ewes.

Two years after receiving these ewes, the selected individual will be expected to pay back the Starter Flock Program two offspring from these ewes. To coordinate this effort, please contact the Division Director at the Alabama Farmers Federation via email or phone.

Contact information for health, feed, and forage specialists as well as other shepherds and sheep resources will be made available and farm visits to local producers will be encouraged.

The recipient can choose a mentor if he/she knows someone with sheep experience to call on or the committee will gladly help match one with the recipient.

The use of a ram will be donated if needed to facilitate the use of quality rams and the recipient will be responsible for the daily care of the ram throughout the period that they choose to use him.

3. Selection:
Individuals who receive the starter flock(s) will be selected by the Alabama Farmers Federation Sheep & Goat Division.

Applications for these Flocks will be open from April 1st – July 15th. A decision on who will be awarded sheep will then be made and the ewes will be available sometime between September 1st and November 1st depending on availability.

Flocks must be picked up by the selected applicant(s) no later than December 1st, 2022. The flock will be automatically forfeited by the applicant if not picked up by this deadline.

The number of flocks distributed will be determined by both interest and availability of donated sheep and funds.

Applicants should have access to adequate pasture, fencing and shelter, show an interest in sheep production in general and a very basic understanding of animal husbandry.

Priority will be given to juniors (FFA and 4-H), 15 years of age and older and to members of the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmer Division but other individuals will be considered based on interest and need.

Three options will be available depending on the applicant’s wants and needs.
a. Club Lamb Dams (Juniors will be encouraged to select this option and show)
b. Commercial Wool Sheep (as available locally)
c. Commercial Hair Sheep

Recommendation by Agriscience teachers and local Farmers Federation members will be encouraged.
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  • Obtain all signatures required below, and attach the following to this application:

    • An essay written by the applicant which details your interest in sheep production, other sheep or livestock experience you or your family may have, the facilities you have available for raising the sheep, and your intentions for the sheep. The committee needs to get a sense of who you are and what are your intentions for receiving these ewes.

    • If you are a junior (18 and younger) you will need a signed letter from your parent(s) or guardian(s) stating their approval of your application and all the responsibilities (feed, finances, time, etc.) that go along with possible receipt of this award.

    • If you are a junior (18 and younger), you will need a signed letter of recommendation from a 4-H/FFA leader, or from a current Local Farmers Federation member
  • Clear
    Applicant Signature
  • Clear
    Parent/Guardian Signature
    (For those 18 and younger)