Wanted: New shepherds

LITTLE ROCK — Children everywhere love prizes and fuzzy animals, right? The North Dakota shepherding industry is counting on it.

In an unusual move meant to encourage youthful interest in a career field that could perhaps use a little excitement, a state group will be awarding sheep to select teens and preteens. They hope to encourage a new generation of shepherds.

Shepherding, always popular among storybook characters and as a religious metaphor, has taken a beating in reality. Nationally, tens of thousands of sheep ranches have disappeared in recent decades. And in mostly rural North Dakota, there are just 840 operations now, a drop of about 1,000 sites tending to lambs, ewes and rams since the late 1980s. Livestock specialists say that fewer people seem to have the patience or expertise to handle flocks and that there are concerns about the ease of marketing and slaughter.

As the remaining shepherds grow older, industry officials are hoping to entice replacements from elementary and high schools with a "starter flock" program. It will give 10 ewes to children who write winning essays about their interest in the field, who are North Dakota residents from the ages of 10 to 18, and who agree to pay back a part of the profits from their lamb or wool sales to help sustain the initiative. (Rams will be provided for breeding at no charge. Ewes are worth about $150 each.)

"We're looking for enthusiasm and dedication," said Justin Luther, a sheep specialist with the North Dakota State University extension service. "There aren't many programs in place to help young people get startedin the sheep business."

The program is a public-private venture between the university and the state's Lamb and Wool Producers Association, and the goal is to revive what they call an important part of American culture, as well as thelocal food and fiber industry.

All children need is an appropriate place to tend their sheep, like a barn or garage. So far, more than 100 people have inquired about applications. Five to 20 novices will be chosen to be supervised by a mentor.

Clay Hatlewick, 14, of Jamestown, in south-central North Dakota, thinks the idea of becoming a professional shepherd is cool.

"They're kind of funny sometimes when you play with them," he said of his family's two sheep. "And they're easier than cows."