Who: Participants in Lambing Season programs at Heifer Ranch
What: Observe spring lambing and visit with participants
When: March 23, 2007, 6 a.m. to noon.
Where: Heifer Ranch, Perryville, Arkansas
During Heifer Ranch’s spring lambing season, women from all over the U.S. are introduced to Heifer’s mission to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. Participants say they leave these events with a deeper understanding of the world, Heifer’s work and themselves.
One participant said that she had gained a new and better outlook on how a majority of the world lives, which is different from her own life experiences. “This trip allowed my mind to open up, expand and see the bigger picture which I sometimes forget.”
Since 1995, women have shared in the births of dozens of lambs each spring during the Women’s Lambing Season programs. This year the Ranch expects more than 70 participants and from 60 to 100 lambs.
The opportunity to watch the birth of lambs is a highlight of the program for many people. “Watching the little lambs come into this world, I was awestruck and my heart just melted. It was a very profound and moving experience,” said a woman who attended last year’s lambing.
Each of the Women’s Lambing Season programs includes a brief introduction to gestation, birth, and post-lambing care of ewes and lambs. Additionally, the women learn about gender equity, sustainable agriculture and Heifer’s livestock practices.
Registrants can also participate in classes on value-added products such as cheese-making and/or wool crafts and assist with Ranch garden and livestock chores.
Participants also enjoy working and learning from Ranch staff, “The humility and encouragement of all the facilitators for us to share and ask questions really struck me. It was one of the best forms of education that I’ve ever received.”
For more information on attending this Media Open Call, contact Beth Newman, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at Heifer Ranch, by calling 501-889-5124 or e-mailing beth.newman@heifer.org.
Heifer Ranch is one of Heifer’s three U.S. learning centers, focusing on world hunger solutions, organic gardening and sustainable agricultural practices. At Heifer Ranch, over 28,000 visitors a year become familiar with the root causes of poverty and hunger and Heifer’s work to help the poor achieve self-reliance. Since 1944, Heifer has helped more than 7 million families in more than 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to “pass on the gift” by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring, or the equivalent, to another in need. For more information on Heifer’s work, visit the website at www.heifer.org, or call 1-800-696-1918 for a free catalog.
Media Contacts:
Beth Newman, Heifer Ranch
501-889-5124
Jennifer Pierce
Heifer International
501-907-2952
Christine Volkmer
Carpenters & Associates
214-520-3666
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