Participant Requirements & Expectations
Each participating farm . . .
- must have less than 10 years of sheep experience. Producers with over 10 years of sheep experience can participate in some educational portions of the project.
- is encouraged to be an active member of the Maine Sheep Breeders Association/American Sheep Industry Association.
- will pay a nominal fee of $75.00/farm to help offset project expenses.
- must have an active e-mail address and access to the Internet.
- will keep a journal (recorded or written) to document their personal growth.
- is required to keep production records of their sheep, including 30, 60, and 90 day weights of lambs and brood ewe performance/year.
- will use Scrapie ear tags to identify individual sheep on their farm.
- will be required to have a written biosecurity plan for their farming operation.
- is required to keep financial records of their sheep enterprise.
- will learn to use Quickbooks for their farm enterprises.
- will plan to submit an annual Schedule F to the IRS.
- will develop a portfolio documenting their mastering of skills and knowledge.
- must have a written business plan by the end of year 1. Their respective plan can be changed at any time.
- is encouraged over the 30-month period to participate in at least one (1) of the following Sheep Management Courses (online) currently offered by the Pipestone Lamb & Wool Program:
- Introduction to Sheep Management – LWMP 1001 – one credit
- Equipment & Facilities – LWMP 1202 – two credits
- Introduction to Sheep Health – LWMP 1300 – two credits
- Ewe Ration Formulation – LWMP 1502 – one credit
- Wool Characteristics and Properties – LWMP 1701 – two credits
- will view Lambing Time Management Series (Recorded Presentations from Pipestone Lamb & Wool program).
- will be strongly encouraged to participate in the Sheep for Profit School offered by Pipestone Lamb & Wool program.