Texas Sheep and Goat Expo adds youth program
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Chad Coburn, 325-378-3181, c-coburn@tamu.edu
Marvin Ensor, 325-653-4576, m-ensor@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – The Texas Sheep and Goat Expo slated for Aug. 18-19 at San Angelo’s First Community Spur Arena has added a youth component.
Billed as the largest, most comprehensive educational event of its kind, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-conducted expo addresses wool sheep, hair sheep, meat goats, club lambs and Angora goats. Now for the first time in its three-year history, a program specifically for young people has been added.
Chad Coburn, AgriLife Extension agent in Sterling County, leads the youth effort.
“We’ve enlisted two top educators with years of experience in teaching young people at all levels to ensure this inaugural effort is a success,” Coburn said.
Coburn is being joined by instructors Dr. Shawn Ramsey, a Texas A&M University professor of sheep and goat husbandry, College Station, and Marty Vahlenkamp, AgriLife Extension agent in Hood County. The trio will lead the young participants in hands-on training to learn about and then compete in Sheep Skillathon contests in Texas.
Coburn said the Sheep Skillathon is a knowledge-based competition designed to enhance the educational experience for youth by incorporating production and industry perspectives for Texas 4-H and FFA exhibitors.
“Contestants will be challenged with questions, skill stations and a public speaking component encompassing various facets of the sheep industry,” Coburn said. “This contest is not only designed for those who exhibit sheep projects, but also for those students who simply have a strong interest in the sheep industry.”
Exhibitors compete in age divisions: junior, intermediate and senior, with the subject matter tailored for the respective age group, Coburn said.
“This will be a fun and active learning event that should readily appeal to youth of all ages,” he said.
The final agenda and online registration is available at http://agrilife.org/westresults/registration.
Early registration by Aug. 15 is $40 for adults, while student registration is $15 per day. Late registration after Aug. 15 is $60.
For more information, contact Marvin Ensor, AgriLife Extension regional program leader, San Angelo, at 325-653-4576, m-ensor@tamu.edu.
