FAIRMONT — Martin County 4-H is offering an Adopt-A-Market Lamb program this year. According to information provided by Martin County 4-H coordinator Kristie Gaalswyk-Pomerenke, the new program is an effort to grow the Martin County 4-H sheep project area while providing an affordable option for 4-H members to participate in the educational experience of raising and showing livestock. Gaalswyk-Pomerenke explains how the program came to be.

“This program was developed in conjunction with my livestock committee, and we were looking at a way to grow our sheep project area, and also offer the opportunity for raising and showing livestock for youth who may not have been able to afford it or may not have considered it before. So we decided by offering this type of Adopt-A-Market Lamb program, we could provide that educational opportunity at an affordable rate.”

Each participating member in the program was provided with one market lamb.The lambs were provided at a reasonable rate to Martin County 4-H by Gopher Club Lambs and Goedken Livestock.The participating 4-H members had to provide some investment into this program with a small fee in order to obtain ownership of the lamb they will be raising and showing. The feed for the lamb is provided at no-cost to the 4-H member thanks to a feed sponsorship by Weiss Milling,Inc. and Big Gain, Inc.

In addition to ownership of the lamb, the participating 4-H member is responsible for:

— the proper daily care of the animal

— providing the necessary facilities

— vet supplies, as needed

— preparing their lamb to show at the 2021 Martin County Fair

Gaalswyk-Pomerenke shared that Martin County 4-H is appreciative of the 4-H Adopt-A-Market Lamb committee members that have helped to bring the program to fruition, Steve Pomerenke, Lisa Stromberg, Reilley Rode, and Patti Mielke. The program would also not be possible without generous donations received from Federated Rural Electric’s Operation Round-Up program and Compeer Financial, as well as support from Weiss Milling, Inc., Big Gain, Inc., Gopher Club Lambs, and Goedken Livestock.

Gaalswyk-Pomerenke noted that the project will last for the duration of the summer season.

“They picked up their lambs on May 2, and they will take care of them all summer and prepare to show them at the Martin County Fair,” she said. “At the conclusion of the Fair, they will take their sheep to market.

“I’m really excited about it, I think it’s a great education opportunity for our 4-H members and those looking to get into the educational experience of raising and showing livestock in 4-H.”