Courtesy the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office.

KSWPA held a field day in Franklin, KY on August 15th hosted by New Slate Land Management

The KY Farm Launch program began the second round of cohorts in March. The program is designed for beginning farmers who have land and not sure what to do with it, or people who are still looking for property but want an enterprise in mind before purchase. Cohort started the first 6 weeks learning about business structure, record keeping, tax filing, marketing, business plans, and basic requirements for vegetable, beef, and small ruminant production. In May the participants b

After a terrific event in 2025, the South-Central Katahdin Association is returning to Munfordville, Kentucky in 2026 for a field day and elite sheep sale on September 18th and 19th. The SCKA has once again partnered with the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association for a weekend packed with speakers, vendors, food, and fellowship. This year the board of directors has also voted to hold the annual business meeting during the field day. Again, the SCKA will host an elite

By Kelley Yates In September 2024, the University of Kentucky was awarded an USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant. Sub grants were given to the Kentucky Center for Ag Rural Development and the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office. The goal of the grant was to create a co-hort of beginning farmers who were interested in learning more about raising vegetables, fruits, cattle, poultry, and small ruminants. The program would be for nine months, meeting once a

You can download a copy of the report below:

You can download a copy of the report below: .

Download a printable copy of the annual report below.

by Kelley Yates & Sarabeth Parido Tis the season to start racking your brain on what to get those hard to shop for sheep and goat friends and family members. Let’s face it, we all could use a piece of equipment, someone to pay our feed bill, or in my case, a new truck! But, as much as I love those around me, none of those are very feasible, or quite frankly, fun! Don’t get me wrong, practical gifts are great, but nothing says, “You’re important to me!” like when your husband

By Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office Saturday, October 19th was a beautiful day for the 2024 KY Annual Producer Conference in Flemingsburg, KY. Over sixty-five sheep and goat producers gathered to spend the day in fellowship and learning. The morning session was dedicated to learning about farmland transition, small ruminant education opportunities, and association meetings. Renee Carrico, Kentucky Farm Bureau, started the day by explaining the KFB Farmland Transitio

by The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Checkoff helped 54 producers across the state gain valuable knowledge and skills in parasite management in 2024. Through a new education initiative called Small Ruminant Boot Camp and Parasitology Clinics, the Checkoff Board expanded on the parasitology programs started in 2022. “We started parasitology clinics with Kentucky State University a couple of years ago, but kept getting requests for more

by Sarabeth Parido As summer officially begins, we'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who made the 14th annual Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival a success. Held on May 18-19, 2024, the festival welcomed over 4,500 visitors to Masterson Station Park, our highest gate numbers since 2020! Lexington boasted excellent weather for the weekend, and our vendors got to enjoy a few beautiful Kentucky spring days! Our dedicated fiber ent

by Sarabeth Parido There's something undeniably charming and wholesome about raising fiber animals. Whether you're an aspiring homesteader, a seasoned shepherd, or simply someone intrigued by the idea of nurturing your own wooly friends, the world of fiber animal husbandry offers a unique blend of tradition, sustainability, and creativity. These books are not only filled with valuable insights on animal care, but they also delve into the rich history and artistry of fiber cra