Becky Peterson, ASRA Secretary
Do you have a 4-Her interested in raising sheep? Here is an opportunity for them to get started with a purebred, registered flock. The National Junior Shropshire Sheep Association is announcing the Shropshire Starter Flock Award for 2020. Through the generosity and vision of several prominent Shropshire breeders that the Seventh Shropshire Starter Flock Award will be given to a lucky youth in the spring of 2020.
Applications are due March 15, 2020.
What it is…
The Shropshire Starter Flock Award will be given out annually and will help to establish one new Shropshire flock every year. The award in 2020 will be a credit voucher of $1,250 which can be used to purchase no less than two ewes in any of the following sales, Indiana Premier.
Ohio Showcase, Great Lakes and The Midwest Stud Ram sale or any of the Online sales that have Shropshire futurity-nominated ewe lambs. The winner is requested to attend the National Shropshire Sale in Greenville, OH in May. The animals selected will range in age from ewe lambs to yearling ewes and should be of sound structure and will maintain good breed type.
How it works…
If you are interested in winning this award flock, you are expected to do the following:
- Complete the Application
- Include 1 or more letters of recommendation
- Write an essay to the National Junior Shropshire Sheep Association. Be sure to include background information about yourself. This document should illustrate your goals and intentions with the animals should you win the award.
- Include a Budget for the year for the keeping of 2 or more Shropshire Ewes
Please type your essay and assure its arrival by March 15, 2020. Please include your mailing address, telephone number and email address. All applicants should be between the ages of 8 and 20. Do not consider your application complete until you receive a confirmation of its receipt from the Shropshire office.
Also…
Winners are asked to give back to the Starter Flock Award Program in some way in the years to come. The awarded animals are asked to be shown at a county fair, a state fair and a Regional National show (All American Junior Show, North American International Livestock Expo, The Big E, or the Midwest Regional Show). These are the only things that we, the NJSSA, ask from the winner of this annual award.
Applications, essays and supporting documentation should be mailed or e-mailed to the address below no later than March 15, 2020. All applications will be reviewed and discussed by the award committee and the winner will be chosen and contacted to make arrangements to receive their award at a spring sale. Whichever sale you chose to make your purchase you will have a $1,250 credit which can be used when you pay for your purchases. You must purchase at least 2 ewes with this award.
Whether you are looking to add a second breed to your farm or looking to make a start in the sheep business, we invite you to take a chance and write to win. Good luck and we look forward to your application.
For more information, contact:
Becky Peterson, ASRA Secretary
413-624-9652
