March 5, 2010

Contact: Harold Boomhower, 315-785-8131

NNY Farmer Starting Sheep Producers Discussion Group

Rutland Center, NY -- As a member of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program farmer committee that selects research, outreach and technical assistance programs to encourage the productivity and profitability of farms in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, Harold Boomhower of Rutland Center, NY, knows the value of sharing knowledge, data and experience. To facilitate the exchange among his fellow sheep producers, Boomhower is developing a new discussion group.

“This group is for experienced, commercial sheep farmers who want to discuss possible ways to increase the financial sustainability of our farms. I envision a group in which farmers share ideas to keep costs and labor demands down and to increase flock productivity,” Boomhower says. “We will bring in speakers to explore other types of farming operations a sheep farmer could diversify into to increase revenue flow while still complementing the sheep enterprise.”

Boomhower says marketing information kits and fact sheets developed by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) will also be available through the group.

Sheep farmers interested in joining a Jefferson County Sheep Producers Discussion Group may contact Boomhower and his wife and business partner Colleen Woolley by email at krautman50@yahoo.com or phone at 315-785-8131.

He says sheep producers from neighboring counties are welcome to join the group.

A monthly NNY Sheep and Goat Newsletter is posted in the Livestock section of the NNYADP website at www.nnyagdev.org. For more information on the North Country Shepherds group based in Canton, contact Betsy Hodge at Cornell Cooperative Extension St. Lawrence County, 315-379-9192. #