Are you interested in raising your own sheep or goats? The Virginia Cooperative Extension-Buckingham office is offering a workshop on Setting Up a Sheep or Goat Enterprise on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the BARN located just west of Buckingham Court House at 11851 W. James Anderson Hwy. Sheep and goats can be raised to provide meat, milk and fiber. These livestock can be raised for 4-H Projects, clearing brush from an area or simply as pets.

If you’re interested in raising sheep and goats for meat, this class covers all the basics you will need to start your enterprise such as: Starting a farm business (insurance, tax and legal considerations), Everything you need to know to raise sheep and goats (breed selection, housing, supplies/equipment, fencing, feeding and marketing), health of your sheep and goats, reproduction (to include preparing for lambing and kidding), hands-on activities (including hoof trimming, body condition scoring, correct drenching techniques, lambing, FAMACHA, etc.)

Dress warmly as the afternoon portion of the workshop will be held at a local producer’s farm. Lunch is provided. Registration forms with fee must be received by Dec. 3. Space is limited so register today by calling Rochelle Clabough at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office (434) 969-4261 to request a registration form or email her rclaboug@ vt.edu.

The Buckingham 4-H Livestock Club will hold their next monthly meeting on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Virginia Cooperative Extension-Cumberland office at 1548 Anderson Hwy., Cumberland. David Baber, nutritionist with Cargill-Southern States Cooperative, will speak on livestock nutrition and the Southern States’ Club Master Program. The club will discuss nominations for the new slate of officers that will be voted on at their December meeting as well as discuss their plans for participating in the Dillwyn Christmas Parade. New members are always welcome to attend. All youth ages 9–19 and their parents are eligible to participate and learn how to raise and show beef cattle, hogs, sheep or goats.

Cloverbud 4-H Members (ages 5–8) may participate in meetings with their parents to learn more about raising livestock but they are not eligible to participate in the livestock show until they are nine years old. You do not have to own a farm or livestock in order to join the club, just an interest in learning more about raising and showing livestock. For more information, please call the Virginia Cooperative Extension-Buckingham office at (434) 969-4261.

The Historic Village Market will have Christmas festivities on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 1–4 p.m. Featured are Amish baked goods, ornaments, jewelry, paintings, arts and crafts and more. No admission fee required. Attractions also include live music, period decorations and Foxfire wreaths. The historic village is located at Lee Wayside, 2 miles west of Sprouse’s Corner.

SHERRI WISE is the columnist for the Buckingham Bulletin. She can be reached at wise.buckingham@gmail. com.