The Putnam County 4-H Special Lambs project is seeking participants for 2010.

The "Special Lamb" Project for Putnam County pairs youths with special needs with 4-H'ers experienced in raising livestock. 

Together, this pair shares the duty of feeding and caring for a lamb and showing it and selling it at the Putnam County Fair in July. Each member of the team receives part of the proceeds from the sale of the lamb. 

This program is unique in that it offers realistic experiences to youths with disabilities, with the goal of developing their physical and mental potentials. 

For the non-disabled 4-H member, this program will establish a greater understanding of persons with disabilities and establish a friendship bond that will last for a lifetime.

This will be the 21th year for the program, and 4-H officers and members wish to see record participation in next year's program. 

Determination of participation in the program will be based on age and physical or mental limitations and dependent on the ability to perform certain tasks and handle situations such as feeding, caring for and showing a market lamb.  Minimum and maximum ages will follow the guidelines for 4-H (9 to 21). Both participants are expected to commit to basic care of the lamb, and participants with special needs are expected to work with their lamb at least once a week. 

The lamb will be housed at the non-disabled participant's house, or whichever partner has the best capacity and facilities to care for the lamb. Lambs and necessary items for care will be provided at no cost to participants.  Opportunities to attend Putnam County 4-H Camp are also available.

If you are interested in participating in this program, call the Putnam County 4-H office at 304-586-0217. The registration deadline is Feb. 1.

Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin and marital or family status. (Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.)