Youth Conservationist Program
Updated for 2026
The Youth Conservationist Program (YCP) strives to connect aspiring youth with established shepherds to promote the preservation of heritage breed sheep. It is an important tool in building the next generation of shepherds in the United States. Breeders donate a registered yearling ewe to the youth of their choice, based upon application answers and letters of recommendation. The program goes beyond just the physical donation of a sheep though; breeders are asked to mentor their young shepherd over the following year and beyond. From advising on management decisions to assisting in locating additional suitable breeding stock, the mentoring breeder’s value is immeasurable. Hosted annually at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, the YCP has been the foundation of many successful young flocks around the country. Many of those youth go on to be heavily involved in the industry and donate back to the program when their flocks are on their feet.
The Youth Conservationist Program is open to all youth between the ages of 9 and 18. Recipients agree to the following conditions:
- They must exhibit their ewe a minimum of two times in the receiving year, preferably one of which being their state fair;
- They must breed their ewe to a registered ram of the same breed in the fall of the receiving year;
- They must utilize the ewe’s fleece, either by processing it themselves or by selling it to another crafter;
- They must prepare a report with pictures for the donor, to be displayed the following year at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival;
- They must promote the YCP and their breed at least once, whether through an article in their local paper or through a breed association newsletter;
- They must be present at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026 to receive their ewe.
Applications from interested youth, along with a one-page letter of recommendation, must be submitted by April 1, 2026.
Applications must be filled out completely and signed by both the youth and their parent/guardian. To submit applications or inquire about the 2026 breed list, please email Lydia Smith at: moc.liamg@peehspcy.
Thank you to our 2025 donors!
Breed | Donor | Recipient |
Black Welsh Mountain | Robbie Nichols Wilde Thistle Farm Fairplay, MD | Madelyn Spencer Milltown, IN |
Bluefaced Leicester | Floya Hawkins Floya’s Fleece Chana, IL | Izzy Hoffman Foster, RI |
Cotswold | Alison Ungar Chaotic Farm Medina, OH | Amaya Freund Lincoln, VT |
CVM/ Romeldale | Michaela & Jason Hockenberry Far Crick Farm East Waterford, PA | Robbie Nichols Fairplay, MD |
Finnsheep | Haley & Brady Campbell Finnie Thrills & Frills Ashland, OH | Natalie Layn Bristol, VT |
Gotland | Polly Metzinger Ambling Brook Farm Frederick, MD | Emma & Cady Cheek Chepachet, RI |
Ava Proctor Franklinton, NC | ||
Jacob | Royal & Susan Unzicker Ivy Brook Meadows Telford, PA | Sienna Kauffman New Holland, PA |
Madelyn Spencer Milltown, IN | ||
Leicester Longwool | Mary Lou Williams The Rosefield Claysville, PA | Samantha Carrick Walnut Grove, NC |
Carolann McConaughy Stillpoint Farm Mt. Airy, MD | Addison Freebery Lewes, DE | |
David & Eve Berryhill The Berryhill Farm Pine Island, MN | Liam Houck Ramona, CA | |
Lincoln Longwool | Don & Debbie Moore Heritage Hill Farm North East, MD | Zoe Amones Chelsea, VT |
Alison Ungar Chaotic Farm Medina, OH | Arielle Leeds Street, MD | |
North Country Cheviot | Amy & Drew Manko The Ross Farm Eighty Four, PA | Grace Fink Orangeville, PA |
Chaney Leonard Louisburg, NC | ||
Teeswater | Tracy & Mike Tush Almost Ready Farm Washington, PA | Isaac Capozella Lousia, VA |
Heidi Hileman Wild Patch Woolies Indiana, PA | Alexis Camp East Canton, OH | |
Abbigale Cattrell East Canton, OH | ||
Kelly Miller Hopping Acres Bruceton Mills, WV | Lukas Verbos Harrisburg, PA | |
Tunis | Joshua Menard Cybertron Acres Harrington, DE | Randi-Mae Eatmon Pisgah Forest, NC |
