Sheep and Wool Skillathon
There will be a Youth Sheep & Wool Skillathon at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any youth between the ages of 8 and 18 is eligible to compete as an individual and member of a 3 or 4 person team. There will be junior (8-10), intermediate (11-13), and senior (14-18) age divisions. Youth will compete according to their actual (not 4-H) age. The top ten individuals and top three teams from each age group will be recognized.
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge and skills acquired in livestock judging, demonstrations, and care and exhibition of livestock into a single activity. The Sheep & Wool Skillathon will consist of a series of stations where youth will be tested on their knowledge and abilities related to sheep and wool.
Last year’s stations included equipment ID, feed and forage ID, breed ID, disease ID, meat ID, fleece (wool) judging, sheep judging, hay judging, a written test, and a senior group problem. Last year was the second year of the Sheep & Wool Skillathon at the Festival. Ninety-five youth from six states and nine Maryland counties competed. The first place junior team was from St. Mary’s/Calvert County. The first place intermediate and senior teams were from Carroll County.
The registration deadline for this year’s Skillathon is April 20. There is no registration fee. For information or to register, contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343. Study materials can be found on the Skillathon web page at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html
For more information, contact Sheryl Burdette
Last updated: 03/17/2008