Youth Conservationist Program

BLU supports this program, and has secured a donation of a registered BFL ewe for the past few years. Youth interested in applying for the 2020 Youth Conservationist Program    must be between 9 and 18 years old.   The application and rules for participation can be found here.

Some Winners of Previous Years’ Donated BFL ewes

2019 Winner Tia Iversen with donor Margie Smith

TIA IVERSEN: “I am so happy my advisor told me about the Youth Conservationist Program. It was fun having my picture taken with you and Pippa at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It’s still hard to believe have Pippa AND PRESTON. I have learned so much about caring for sheep since Pippa came home.
I am excited to have a Bluefaced Leicester that I can tell others about. You didn’t only give me a beautiful ewe, but you are giving your time by staying in touch with me and supporting me by teaching me and letting me know you are there if I need help. “

2018 winner McKenzie Weist with donor Margaret VanCamp

Makenzie is the daughter of Jennifer and Kevin Weist, and hails from Creamton, PA. In her essay that was part of the selection process, Mackenzie states that she lives on a farm that her great, great grandparents purchased in the early 1900’s. The farm has a history of sheep on it, and now is home to Bluefaced Leicesters. She looks forward to using the fleece from her ewe to make a sweater, and a hat for her aunt. The ewe was donated by Pitchfork Ranch in Michigan, and was awarded during the recent Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.

2017 winner Charlie O’Boyle and donor Meredith Null

I am Charlie O’Boyle from Cumberland, MD. I am a 4-Her in the Mountain and Valley 4-H livestock club in Allegany county. I am hoping that by participating in the Youth Conservationist Program on my own project it will allow me to help preserve our past and the farming way of life and to share it with others. I have helped my brother with his YCP project this past year through helping to care for his sheep as well as in telling others about the importance of sheep in our lives.

2016 winner William O’Boyle and donor Margaret VanCamp.

My name is William O’Boyle and I am from Cumberland, Maryland. As a member of the Mountain and Valley 4-H club, I have been a part of 4-H for eight(8) years and was also a part of the homeschool 4-H as a clover and Junior member for four (4) years. I am currently in my first year as a senior member of 4-H. I am also a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 9 where I am working on the rank of Eagle and have completed numerous merit badges including Animal Science.

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