By Scout Nelson
For the 17th year, North Dakota State University Extension and the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association are giving young people a special chance to enter the sheep industry. Their Starter Flock Discounted Loan Program helps youth build their own sheep flock and learn about farming.
Youth selected for the program will receive a loan, without any interest, to buy 10 yearling Rambouillet ewes. The North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association will buy these ewes from the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center and provide them to the youth.
A unique part of this program is the mentorship offered to participants. Each youth will be paired with a mentor who will guide them on raising sheep, keeping farm records, and setting goals for flock management. If they want, the youth can also choose their own mentor.
The loan repayment is also designed to support young farmers. Participants must pay back 70% of the ewes' value. The first payment is due by November 1 of the second year after receiving the ewes. They have two more years after that to finish paying the loan.
This program teaches youth valuable skills in farming, business management, and responsibility. It also helps grow interest in the sheep industry and supports the future of agriculture in North Dakota.
With this program, North Dakota’s youth gain lasting connections with mentors and the farming community. The Starter Flock Program shows how partnerships between universities and agricultural groups can open doors for the next generation of farmers.
Photo Credit: istock-globalp
Categories: North Dakota, Government & Policy, Livestock, Goats & Sheep