According to the Kentucky Census of Agriculture, Laurel County’s ranking in sheep and goat production has risen from 77 in 2012 to 49 in 2017.  As the local interest in sheep production has increased, so has the need for educational opportunities for farmers to learn best practices for keeping the herds healthy.  On March 18, the Laurel County Extension Office worked with the Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers and the University of Kentucky for a lamb slaughtering and processing tour.  Twenty participants were transported to the university’s sheep farm in Woodford County for instruction and a tour of the facility, followed by a tour of the UK Meat Lab in Lexington.   All participants reported gaining useful information that they plan to use in managing and processing their own herds.