U.S. Forest Service Dedicates Millions & Sheep Extravaganza

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the U.S. Forest Service will be dedicating $40.6 million for land acquisition projects in fifteen states with money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. These projects are to help preserve wildlife habitat, protect historic and wilderness areas, enhance scenic vistas, provide recreational access, and safeguard clean water. Washington projects approved for funding include $1.5 million for the Washington Cascade Ecosystem - Wenatchee National Forest, $1.1 million for Pacific North West Streams and national forests, and $1 million for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

If you’ve ever had an interest in raising sheep, or learning more about the breeding of sheep for wool, meat, or milk, then you need to attend the Shepherds’ Extravaganza held in conjunction with the Puyallup Spring Fair. Sheep producer Al Schwider talks about the upcoming event.

SCHWIDER: This is our 33rd year. We will have thirty some craft booths of finished wool related - fiber related products. We’ll also have about a 150 hand spinning fleeces for show and sale and a dozen or more registered pure-bred sheep. We have fiber related classes such as spinning, dyeing, weaving. And then this year we have a seminar on sheep health from a local vet.

The Sheep Extravaganza happens April 19 through the 22 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.