SUFFOLK STARTER FLOCK Grant Program SUBMISSION DEADLINE: RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 1 MISSION OF THE SUFFOLK FOUNDATION: 1. This Grant Program is provided by the United Suffolk Sheep Foundation to provide financial assistance to youth in starting a new registered Suffolk flock. 2. This grant program is open to all youth, including siblings of youth who have applied in recent years. This grant is strongly biased toward starting new youth and families in the registered Suffolk programs. GRANT ELIGIBILITY: 4. Applicant must be able to fund the first $250 towards the purchase of registered Suffolks. 5. Youth receiving a grant must purchase directly from a Suffolk Association member or from a sale in which the Suffolk Association member has entered the registered ewe. Examples - United Suffolk Sheep Association online sales, The Suffolk Event, Ohio Showcase Sale, Nugget All-American, and Midwest Stud Ram Sale. EWE GRANT WINNERS Where are they now? DEACON SHANKS, ILLINOIS My favorite show was the All-American where I met so many Suffolk breeders and was able to assist other youth in the ring. Another highlight was the Suffolk Event. I really enjoyed the classes I was able to attend that weekend. I found them very informative and enjoyed hearing from others in the industry. Since purchasing my first Suffolk fall ewe, I also purchased a 2025 spring ewe and a then a bred ewe this fall. I am now looking forward to the 2026 showing season with my yearling ewes and two ewe lambs born on our farm this January. MARSHALL HELDBERG, MINNESOTA 1. Applicant must be 9 years old as of January 1, but not older than 16 years old. 2. Applicant cannot be a current owner or previous owner of registered Suffolk sheep. 3. Only one application per family in a calendar year. I used my ewe grant to purchase a fall ewe from the MacCauley online sale. I showed her at Freedom Fest, the Suffolk Event, All-American, my section 16 FFA fair, Christian County 4H Fair and open show, Illinois State Fair 4H show and the open show. I finished the 2025 season at NAILE.
Thank you for granting me $1,000 to purchase a purebred Suffolk ewe. Your generosity truly means a lot to me and has made a positive impact on my sheep project. This grant has helped me add to my sheep entrepreneurship and diversity with the Suffolk breed in my flock. I have also bred Dakota to another purebred Suffolk ram from a local breeder in our area, and I am very excited to show her lambs this year and continue growing my flock. I was happy to share how I earned this grant in my FFA sheep proficiency Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) contest and was able
to promote the United Suffolk Sheep Association. Your support has opened my flock to new opportunities and connections that cannot be matched. I would also like to thank you for the really nice United Junior Suffolk Sheep Association member sign—it is really cool and something I am proud to display. Thank you again for your support and generosity. 118
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