Denise Trotter
In Town: Denise is an agriculture teacher at Elkins High School.
In the Country: Denise is the vice president of the Arkansas State Sheep Council and an adviser for the Junior Council, both of which maintain recognition programs for Arkansas-bred sheep and emerging sheep breeders. She became involved in agri competition when her then-7-year-old daughter joined the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association, which had a sheep program. She then became an adviser when the Arkansas State Sheep Council expanded its program about six years ago. “Young people are a very important part of the agriculture network,” she said. “Our goal is to make them more knowledgeable about the sheep industry as well as to provide them necessary skills and networking opportunities.”
What is the value of youth participating in the sheep council?
The Arkansas State Sheep Council provides top-quality club lambs to youth, encourages the exhibition of Arkansas-produced lambs, supports youth-agriculture programs, offers scholarships for its junior members to further their education in sheep husbandry and helps promote the sheep industry in the state. Livestock showing is unique to youth-competitive sports because children are not divided by age. It’s a physically demanding sport, especially for little ones, because they have to physically be able to move that animal into place. This teaches children that being a good showman affects the outcome by a greater degree because of the physical demands. More importantly, children who raise livestock learn what daily responsibility of an animal entails and what animal health means to maintaining practices set forth by industry standards.
How involved is your time with the council?
The group holds about 10 shows a year, with a spring show set at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville, and the more experienced members lead learning activities for younger members at a summertime lamb camp.
By Jules Miller
