Earlier this fall I was given the opportunity to work with veteran OSU Extension Specialist Gene Pirelli to help develop a New Producer Mentorship Program for emerging entrepreneurs in our industry. Through a partnership between the Oregon Sheep Growers Assocation http://www.sheeporegon.com/index.html , the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association http://www.oregonpurebredsheep.org/OPSBA/Home/Home.html and Oregon State University Extension, new producers or people interested in gaining experience in the sheep industry will be able to further their knowledge at no cost.
There will be two potential educational and networking opportunities for interested parties to expand their horizons. The first program is scheduled for Saturday December 1st at the Polk County Extension office in Dallas, Oregon and the second will be on Saturday January 12th in Prineville, Oregon.
Both programs will feature an overview of our industry organizations, a panel of progressive producers discussing a variety of marketing opportunities, an update on the Scrapie Program by Robert Dyk from the USDA, a free lunch, a short program on maximizing feeding opportunities as well as a presentation on forage management and a short course in lambing prep by Dr. Chuck Estill from OSU.
Why is this diverse program valuable to any producer? First and foremost because at the end of the program emerging producers will be linked with mentors from throughout the industry with similar interests that will continue to help guide the new producer down a road to success!
For more information, please feel free to contact Gene Pirelli at gene.pirelli@oregonstate.edu or Kris Jones at ktjones@crestviewcable.com. Also for the December 1st program, please rsvp by Thursday November 29th to 503-623-8395. Lunch is provided and there is no charge, but rsvp’s are requested. Also, please note this event is limited to adults over 18 only.
Oregon Sheep Connection 