STUDENTS SHEAR MORE THAN SHEEP WITH FFA CO-OP EXPERIENCE

It's the week before the fair and everyone is busy getting ready.
There's 4-H projects to complete, last minute seams to sew, jams and pies to make, machinery to shine and animals to wash, clip, brush, and in the case of the agricultural class at Waukon Senior High School, sheep to shear before show day on Thursday.
Known as the Waukon FFA Sheep Co-op, the group is made up of nine students, ranging in age from 16 to 18 years, and Agricultural Instructor Nate Gebel, who has been teaching the group the responsibilities of raising 21 Suffolk sheep.
Planning started last February; the sheep were bought from Sigurd and Scott Ness in April. Since then, the students have been totally responsible for care of the animals, from changing their bedding and cleaning their pen, to twice daily feeds, vaccinations and shearing of wool. As part of the project, they've set up a roster for chores and shared transportation to and from the project site. In summary, the students have found that tending sheep is a lot of work, but is also enjoyable.
Student Mike Peck, who lives in town, says the project has "been real fun." Mike has enjoyed learning how to take care of the sheep, and says that the more you work with them, the more you recognize that they all have different personalities.
Brooks Kruger has also enjoyed the "learning experience," and with 45 sheep back on the family farm it looks like he will be able to take some good practical experiences home from the project.
And, while student Matt Doubek likes farming, he has decided that showing sheep may not be for him. But, his family hosting the project has had its advantages. "I liked having friends come over everyday," said Matt.
For one student, cleaning the shed and caring for the sheep inspired an individual project. John Schellhammer decided to go into business for himself, buying seven sheep of his own early this spring. Two lambs later, he now has nine sheep, which he plans to use as breeding stock.
John says the project has taught him how to keep the animals healthy and so far he has had no problems at home or on the project site.
So as show day approaches, the excitement rises and the nerves start to rattle. It will be an early start for the group as they get their sheep ready to parade in front of the judges. The aim is to hold your sheep steady, stretching back its rear legs to make the animal look long so the judges can see how much meat is on the sheep.
At the conclusion of the fair, the sheep will be for sale at the 4-H and FFA Auction, and it's then that the students will get their biggest lesson. "At the end of the day, it's a gamble," says Gebel, "as they don't know what the sheep will sell for." The students get the experience of running a business and realize that, as Gebel put it, "some years you may make money from farming and some years you may not."
Gebel says the project would not have gone so well without the tremendous help from the community, particularly Larry Schellhammer who donated hay, Randy Kruger, supplying lambs, Dean "Beanzie" Schellhammer, who sharpened the clipper blades, Tom Christianson, feed dealer at United Cooperative, and Tom Doubek, who supplied the pen and shed for the sheep. Gebel particularly acknowledges the assistance from Sigurd, Scott, Danny and Brent Ness, who continued to give their time from day one, teaching the students how to correctly vaccinate, shear, and generally care for the sheep.
Throughout the year, students of the co-op learned about a range of agricultural topics, from horses and corn, to soybeans and welding. "I want to give the students an overview of agriculture so they can see which topics interest them," says Gebel, "and then they can go on to learn more about a particular topic if they choose."
But for him, the sheep co-op has been one of the highlights of the school year. "This project has been a great success, as it has given the kids an opportunity to learn something new and gain confidence, especially the kids who live in town," says Gebel. And as for Gebel, he's got a background in agricultural science. "After all," he says, "farming's what I love to do."