Every 4-H project offers a variety of activities and learning opportunities to suit your interests and strengths. Whether you're just getting started or taking your knowledge to the next level, there are several activities to learn and do throughout your project experience!

Beginner

• Learn the parts of a sheep
• Identify breeds of sheep and their uses
• Manage and train sheep for show

Intermediate

• Learn safety procedures and management practices for maintaining a flock
• Identify symptoms, causes and treatment of common diseases
• Study nutritional requirements for various ages of sheep

Advanced

• Learn reproduction and genetics of sheep
• Study technology's impact on sheep production
• Explore career opportunities in the sheep industry

Reasonably priced materials are available for every project in Kansas 4-H. You can order the materials for your project online or contact your local Extension Office.

Market Lamb (SH100) and Breeding (SH200)

• Lambs, Rams and You (ages 7-10)
• Shear Delight (ages 11-13)
• Leading the Flock (ages 14+)

General Sheep Resources

• Show Lamb Preparation and Showmanship
• Youth Livestock Safety
• Animal Science Youth Livestock
• Livestock Judging Guide
• KSU Youth Livestock Educational Resources

Project Leader Resources

• Sheep Helper's Guide

Record Keeping Resources

Related Resources - Veterinary Science

• From Airdales to Zebras (ages 7-10)
• All Systems Go (ages 11-13)
• On the Cutting Edge (ages 14+)
• Veterinary Science Helper's Guide
• Nebraska 4-H Veterinary Science

County Level

Medal presented at your 4-H award recognition event

State Level

Medallion and Scholarship to attend National 4-H Congress

• Participants may attend National 4-H Congress once as an active 4-H member

National Level

Represent Kansas at National 4-H Congress

State Fair Sheep Information

State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes
(Includes Livestock Judging Contest, Quiz Bowl, Skillathon and Meats Judging Contest)
When: August
Where: Manhattan, KS
Livestock Judging Contest

• Award: Trip to Louisville, KY (All Star Team)
• Award: Trip to National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO
• Award: Trip to American Royal, Kansas City, MO

Meats Judging Contest

• Award: Trip to National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO
• Award: Trip to American Royal, Kansas City, MO/KSU

State 4-H Sheep Show (Grand Drive), Kansas State Fair
When: September
Where: Hutchinson, KS

• Award: Cash premium and trophy buckle to Grand Champion
• Award: Cash premium distributed for Champion and Reserve Champion breeds

Junior Sheep Producer Day
Where: Manhattan, KS
When: March, even numbered years

• Junior producer days are held to provide educational material and hands-on experiences for youth, parents, leaders, and extension agents. Various speakers share information on topics such as selection, nutrition, showmanship, fitting, reproduction, feeding, and disease control. Talks, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and door prizes are present at all events. Beef and Sheep days are held in the even years and Swine and Meat Goat days are held in the odd years.

Completing a successful 4-H project is just the beginning of finding your spark. Members can take several meaningful steps to further develop skills and interests. Learn more about these exciting opportunities in career exploration:

• Discovery Days
• Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge - Network Kansas
• K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Sheep Page
• K-State Animal Sciences & Industry Youth Page