[Jacob-list] Jacobs at fairs in general

[Dr. David R. Lincicome]

1700 hrs/Sunday 26 August 2001

Dear Joan,

The article in JJSC had nothing to do with 4H, hence I am more than
surprised that 4H people think I am opposed to the 4H program.  The
article in JJSC refers only to the comparative show ring and to  those
breeders competing therein and, as you say, who are gungho for the
ribbons!

There are other PR ways of promoting the Jacob other than competing in
the comparative show ring, ways I have offered on several occasions.  I
find so few people really listen or really read with full
comprehension.  I wonder whether this is a major fault in our
educational efforts.

Warm regards....

David

WenlochFrm at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 8/25/01 3:43:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> 2512 at nethawk.com
> writes:
>
>
>
>> Thank you for your opinion.
>> I guess you don't understand 4-H.  Maybe you should consult your 4-H
>> manual,
>> children need to learn there are more types of sheep than suffolks,
>> and they
>> need to care for their project animal, thus the fair allows them to
>> have
>> some goals and responsibilty.  This list, last I knew, had people
>> that show
>> their Jacob sheep as well as some that choose not to, be it fairs,
>> state
>> shows or otherwise.  If you don't want your sheep going to the local
>> 4-H
>> fair with your children then by all means, don't.  I have a feeling
>> that the
>> article you are referring to has to do with "breed improvements" or
>> something along that line, and our tiny 4-H fair doesn't require the
>> need
>> for improving our little flock. It is about the child being
>> recognized for
>> their project regardless of whether or not it is just like everyone
>> else's
>> or not.  You are comparing apples to oranges, but that is a whole
>> different
>> story.
>
> I'm with Bonnie 100% on the issue of competitive showing of Jacobs at
> local
> county fairs, and especially for 4-Hers. Do we want our Jacobs to
> remain
> forever a rare breed whose future is shaky? If not, then we need to
> place
> them in the public eye where potential new breeders will see them. And
> please
> remember, 4-Hers are the breeders of the future. This breed will not
> grow by
> keeping our sheep down on the farm and  selling only to other
> breeders. I see
> little danger of any pressure to change the breed phenotypically by
> showing
> locally. And I do want to stress "locally". It is only when exhibitors
> start
> chasing after the 'glory' of capturing the big prize, the big win, at
> the
> large shows that we need to become alarmed. That is where the pressure
> to
> change  the breed will be. It isn't going to come from the 4-H kids,
> it's
> going to come from the 'big kids' feeding big egos.
>
> You 4-Hers and parents, hang in there with your Jacobs. It will change
> as
> more people become accustomed to seeing them exhibited in 4-H. Suzy
> Ivan's 7
> yr old son showed his second year in pee-wee showmanship this year at
> the
> Midland Co. Fair. The only Jacob in the show ring among 25 or 30 kids
> with
> Suffolks, and you could spot him (pun intended) a mile away. The
> comments
> from the crowd varied from "what a cute lamb", "oh, look at the
> spotted one",
> to "what breed is that, anway?". I also might add that I have several
> orders
> from 4-H parents for Jacob lambs next spring to show in 4-H. Maybe we
> won't
> be able to 'spot' Clay so easily next year.
>
> Have fun showing!
>
> Joan Franklin
>