Frederick County
Sheep Breeders Association
Dedicated to:
-
Promoting sheep, lamb and sheep related activities in Maryland
-
Supporting sheep producers and the area's farm flocks
-
Educating its members and the public
-
Supporting and mentoring young shepherds' 4-H activities
-
Helping to improve breeding stock, lambs, and the wool industry
July Banner Photo: Summer is here, hay is baled, and sheep are on pasture. Using new photo "Flock of Sheep in Thurmont", sent to us by Melody Jamieson, Noteworthy Photography, Thurmont, MD. Photo is copyrighted. Melody was out walking, had her camera, and came across this flock of sheep and goats in a pasture. Melody said this photo was not staged. For more information about her photography, go to Melody's two websites: www.noteworthyphotos.com and www.noteworthyphotos.etsy.com
Future Banner Photos: Do you have a spring, summer or fall scene of a flock of sheep or lambs for the Banner Photo above? Your photo needs to be wide angle, at least 740 pixels wide. Can then adjust top and bottom of photo to fit the Banner image. Contact Peter Vorac - pvorac@comcast.net). We try to change the Banner image every two months.
Members of the Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association are helping to preserve the rural character of Frederick County by raising sheep for a variety of yarn and wool products, farm-fresh meat, 4-H lamb projects, registered and commercial breeding stock, and other products and services.
Members provide consumers with a source of fresh, locally raised, custom processed, quality lamb (some raised on organic farms), as well as being a resource for various wool products, roving, yarn, fleeces, clothing and blankets.
Events. The association has several events during the 2009 year: (1) general membrship meetings with a speaker; (2) our FCSB display and informal get together at the Sheepman Supply Open House, Feb. 14, 2009; (3) Frederick County Ag. Week at the FSK Mall in Frederick, Feb. 16-21 with various Fiber Arts Demonstrations on Saturday, Feb. 21st.; (4) participates at the Brunswick Co-Op Open House, March 28th.; (5) spring and fall pasture walks and farm tours; (6) the FCSB sponsors one of the 10 events (sheep judging) in the Youth Skillathon at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, May 3, 2009; (7) this year's summer picnic is at Jim and Mary Ann Peterson's Pleasant Grove Farm on Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2009; (8) the FCSB sponsors various 4-H and Open Class events at the Great Frederick Fair in September; (9) provides the two Premier Exhibitor Banners (one for Wool Breeds and one for Meat Breeds) at the Great Frederick Fair; and (10) helps co-sponsor the 4-H Decorated Lamb Contest and Shepherd's Lead Contest at the Great Frederick Fair.
Fund Raiser. Our major fund raiser is the FCSB Colorfest food concession, Oct. 10-11, 2009 - selling lamb sausage sandwiches, lamb burgers and lamb McMuffins. Mark Liberto is the chief organizer for Colorfest, plus there were 23 folks who helped out in 2008. Colorfest photos are on the website.
Shearing School Assistance. The FCSB provides Beginning and Advanced Shearing School scholarships (pays the registration cost) through the Pete Creamer Memorial Shearing Scholarship Fund, established by Sylvia Creamer.
Annual Dinner and Social. The FCSB wraps up the year with a winter dinner meeting and social - plus those all-important door prizes - at the Cozy Restaurant in Thurmont, Thursday, November 5, 2009, beginning with the social at 6:00 pm. The Events section lists all activities and is constantly updated.
To Join. Please join your fellow shepherds to support all aspects of the sheep and lamb industry in Frederick County, and the surrounding counties in Maryland. To join, click on "Join" and contact Ellen Nicodemus, Treasurer. Membership includes listing your farm, your products, your photos, and your website on the FCSB website.
Membership is open to everyone. You don't have to live in Frederick County. Currently, have members from 4 counties, and one from Pennsylvania.
Contact Members. Members have all sizes of flocks, knowledge, and experience -- from a few sheep to about 75 ewes, from just beginning in the business to members with 25 years experience; plus many members also raise goats, cattle, horses, turkeys, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and have a variety of wool product businesses, etc. Members currently come from Washington County, Montgomery County, Carroll County, and Frederick County. All are invited to join. Membership provides a great way for a new shepherd to learn health care, the lambing process, management, and marketing techniques from others; for members to share knowledge and experiences; and for all members to share in the on-going "practical lessons learned" of farming.
"Links" Section. Has a wealth of information and resources. Check it out.
New "Links" Categories. Recently added 3 new Categories with a red (New) identifying each listing.
-
Lamb Camps -- learn about developing, nutrition, feeding, fitting and showing club lambs
-
Sheep Equipment -- Blades, Cutters, Hoof Trimmers, Hand Trimmer Sharpening Services
-
Wool & Fiber Equipment Companies
Welcome your suggestions to add to these categories -- send us an e-mail.
Enjoy the Website. Review upcoming and past Events; News items; Photos of Members farms; list of Members - their breeds and specialities; Links (extensive list of resources, always looking for more - including Members who shear sheep, goats, alpacas); plus Committees and Officers. Website information, Events and Photos will be updated and posted throughout the year.