What you'll do
Explore the sheep industry. Learn to raise and show purebred or crossbred yearling ewes, aged ewes or market lambs. Topics include budgeting, digestive systems, reproduction, genetics, lambing, ethics, marketing and careers.
Levels of learning
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
- Find a club near you or contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
Already enrolled in the 4-H Sheep Project?
Join the Minnesota State Fair 4-H show committee
This is a leadership opportunity for 4-H members in grade 9 and up. Represent your fellow 4-H'ers on the livestock show committee, serving with adult volunteers.
What you'll do
- Attend two face to face meetings during the year as youth representative
- Participate in 2-4 calls during the year
- Staff a 4-H livestock information booth the first two days of the Minnesota State Fair
How to apply
Selected applicants will be notified in September and will be invited to a state fair meeting in October. This is a one-year experience, and you can apply for a second year.
Contact
Brian McNeill, Extension educator and advisor, mcnei006@umn.edu
Local livestock committees
You may be able to join your county 4-H livestock committee. Contact your local 4-H office for more information.
Sheep project resources for volunteers
Find training, project development committees (PDCs) and more support for volunteers on our volunteer site.
To volunteer with 4-H in your area, contact your local 4-H office.
Fairs and exhibits
Record keeping & evaluation
- 4-H youth record keeping - Reflect on your project and what you've learned.
- Animal science project interviews evaluation — junior level
- Animal science project interviews evaluation — senior level
- General livestock judging contest evaluation with reasons
You can exhibit
Your livestock
Breeding ewe
- Registered or commercial yearling ewe
- Registered or commercial January ewe lamb
- Registered or commercial February ewe lamb
- Registered or commercial March ewe lamb
Market lamb
- Speckle face
- Black face
- White face
Lamb lead
Make a wool outfit. Wear it while you're showing your lamb.
Sheep showmanship
Contact your local 4-H office for sign-up deadlines and more info about how to get started.
See requirements for breeds, birth dates and animal ID. These are required for all sheep shows (state and local).
Your knowledge
- Livestock interviews
- Science of Animals exhibits
- General livestock judging contest
- General livestock project bowl
Find out about livestock shows near you on your local 4-H website.
Future study
You could study agriculture at the University of Minnesota.
Reviewed in 2020