CLINTWOOD, Va.- This past Saturday, the Coalfield Sheep Association, in conjunction with the Dickenson County- Virginia Cooperative Extension, hosted a sheep field day and lamb tasting event at the Coalfield Agricultural Center, in Clintwood Virginia.
The event drew a large crowd of sheep farmers from across Southwest Virginia.
In attendance was Dr. Paul Riedel, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University, Tim Shepherd from KNS, INC., Nick Belcher from Purina Nutrition, and Khala Campbell from Bioxyme Incorporated. The speakers provided information and education to ensure farmers are up to date on current trends related to sheep and livestock health.
The Coalfield Agricultural Center was established in 2009, in part by the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority, as a conduit for education and marketing for Coalfield area agricultural producers. To date, the center has hosted hundreds of events across a broad span of topics and interests for local farmers. Additionally, the center provides educational opportunities for the youth of the Coalfield, as means to promote and educate the youth regarding the need for continued agricultural production in our area.
Nick Forrest, lamb marketer and chef, who is regularly featured in Whole Foods Markets across the Eastern part of the United States, provided a cooking lesson for participants to learn easy and delicious ways to prepare locally sourced lamb.
On August 19, 2023 at 1:00pm, the Coalfield Agricultural Center will be host to the 2nd Annual Coalfield Hair Sheep Sale. Last year’s sale brought sheep farmers and buyers from nine states to Dickenson County for what was considered a very successful sale. Animals will be ready for viewing at 11:00am. This event is sponsored by the Coalfield Sheep Association.
For more information about future events, please follow the Coalfield Agricultural Center on Facebook.
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Photo Captions:
**Gilmer and Charlotte Childress from Mountain Top Farm with part of their flock of katahdin hair sheep
**Gilmer Childress and Anthony Grillo looking over some of the featured katahdin hair sheep Saturday at the event.
**Chef Nick Forrest (and wife), prepare for the cooking portion of the event