Landon Learns to Make a Buck

Landon Joins 4H Sheep Project

When we sold our house down in Hayward we moved to Fairview Avenue up on the hill above California State University. We had 2 acres of land and there was a fire danger if you allowed weeds and grass to grow unchecked. We bought three ewes to keep the grass mowed down to a reasonable level. Our neighbor up the hill from us had a ram. Well he saw those beautiful young ladies chomping on the grass and he got ideas. There was a wire fence between him and the ladies. Well that was no problem for a determined ram and he would back off from the fence about 20 yards and then lowered his head a run full tilt to the fence. He battered that fence until it began to lean something terrible. He kept at it day after day. Eventually after the fence was tilted enough, he was catapulted into the air and over the fence into the midst of the three young ladies. All four of them took little time getting acquainted.

After the Judging there is an Auction

Well in not too long we had four lambs. The three ewes were named Ace, Duce, and Spud. Ace had twins the others had a single. The boys joined the 4H Sheep Project. They took care of their lambs and got them to the right weight at the right time. They must be between 90 and 110 pounds at a certain weighing date to enter. Both kids made the weight. The fair came and they trimmed their lambs washed them and had them ready for the fair. They lived at the fair for a few days. Both Chet and Landon got blue ribbons for their lambs. With a blue ribbon you can sell your lamb at the 4H auction if you wish. Both kids did. Businessmen usually bid on the lambs and 4Hers get very good prices at the auction. Landon shamelessly went to many of the men and persuaded them to bid on his lamb. During the bidding he showed many tears to help increase the bidding on his lamb. Landon successfully got an excellent price for his lamb through these means. He is still an excellent businessman today. After that we bought the Grand Champion Ram at the fair for $150 and the boys had even better lambs the following years.