Success StorySheep and Goat Short Course



Sheep and Goat Short Course

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Planning Unit: Russell County CES

Major Program: Small Ruminants

Plan of Work: Livestock Production

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Russell County has always been a county of great agricultural diversity.  In the past 10 years sheep and goat production has become a major part of that diversity.  With an increase in the number of sheep and goats in the county, I felt that there is a need for more education on sheep and goat production.  Small ruminants have always been part of the ag community, but with more people working away from the farm and having smaller acreage, sheep and goat production tends to be a more viable option for producers, but the main component of this type of production seemed to be missing.  That burning question was, and still is for some, " what do I need to do, to start raising sheep or goats"?  This question was the basis of the Sheep and Goat short course.

After meeting with my Ag Advisory Council, they felt that small ruminant production was an important part of the community, and continuing to get questions on sheep and goat production, I contacted specialist and began to design the series of introduction courses.  The three meetings covered topics related to starting production, herd management, forages and birth management.  The average attendance was 13 producers.  We also visited a local sheep producers farm and the class was able to get first hand knowledge from a production based farm.






Stories by Jonathan Oakes


Cook Wild in SE KY

Cook Wild in SE KY

about 8 months ago by Jonathan Oakes

In South Central Kentucky, food insecurity is a sad reality that many of Extensions clients face. Ac... Read More


Cultivating Safety: Farm Safety Day in Russell County, KY

about 6 months ago by Jonathan Oakes

In the heart of rural Russell County, Kentucky, lies a community deeply rooted in agriculture. With ... Read More


Stories by Russell County CES


Cook Wild in SE KY

Cook Wild in SE KY

about 8 months ago by Jonathan Oakes

In South Central Kentucky, food insecurity is a sad reality that many of Extensions clients face. Ac... Read More


Clean Hands Prevent the Spread of Illness

Clean Hands Prevent the Spread of Illness

about 9 months ago by Megan Gullett

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one of the best ways to help prevent the spread o... Read More