March 21, 2011
Contact: Betsy Hodge, CCE St Lawrence, 315-379-9192; Ron Kuck, CCE Jefferson, 315-788-8450; Bernadette Logozar, CCE Franklin, 315-483-7403; Peter Hagar, CCE Clinton, 518-561-7450

Photo: 10th Mt. Division soldiers from Fort Drum learn goat production basics from Karen Stumpf at Thousand Islands Goat Farm in preparation for a special agricultural education mission in Afghanistan. Photo: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

Sheep & Goat Basics Training Set for April 12 in Chateaugay, April 14 in Canton, April 20 in Cape Vincent-Watertown

Northern New York — Sheep & Goat Basics Training offered in April by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Northern New York will provide participants with the opportunity to develop many different livestock production skills. Afternoon on-farm sessions include sheep handling, hoof trimming, and temperature taking with live sheep and goats. Evening classroom sessions will focus on feeding and health management.

“This training is a great opportunity for beginners and new farmers to learn about how to avoid sickness, what vaccinations sheep and goats need, and how to work with a veterinarian, and about the different types of forages, grains and minerals,” said training instructor Betsy Hodge, a Livestock Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Northern New York Sheep and Goat Basics training sessions will be held:

• Tuesday, April 12, 1-4 pm starting at Kirbside Gardens farm of Kirby Selkirk, Chateaugay, with 7-9pm classroom session at the Knights of Colombus Hall, Chateaugay; register with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, Plattsburgh, 518-561-7450, or Franklin County, Malone, 518-483-7403;

• Thursday, April 14, 1-4pm and 7-9pm for barn and classroom training at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm, Canton; register with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, Canton, 315-379-9192; and

• Wednesday, April 20, 1-4pm starting at Thousand Islands Goat Farm, Cape Vincent, with 7-9pm classroom session at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, Watertown; register with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, Watertown, 315-788-8450.

Hodge says the programs were scheduled during school breaks so youth can also attend the training. The fee to participate is $5.00 per farm or family. #