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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1998. PAGE A-5.
Agriculture '98
There's something sheepish about Shayrina
Feeding time
Kevin and Jacquie Bishop, owners of Shayrina Sheep
Farm at RR2, Bluevale are kept busy during the lambing
season.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Jacquie Bishop and her husband
Kevin both grew up on farms. But
Jacquie, whose mother was a teach-
er, learned early in life that the
lifestyle she found so familiar was
an enchanting educational experi-
ence for others.
"Mom taught kindergarten and
she always brought the students for
a visit to our farm. I realized that
many kids don't have the opportu-
nity to be on a farm."
It was that history that played a
part in the couple's decision to start
Shayrina Sheep Farm at their RR2,
Bluevale home. Kevin and Jacquie,
who had met as 4-H members, and
are graduates of the University of
Guelph's agriculture program,
returned as the third generation to
live on the Robertson family farm,
last year.
Having lived in Seaforth for the
past 10 years, Kevin had been man-
ager of a swine operation, while
Jacquie worked for the Ontario
Herd Improvement Corporation. In
addition to operating a 2,000 head
finishing operation, the couple pur-
chased a flock of sheep with the
intention of sheep farming.
Jacquie had visited the Lismore
Sheep Farm near Gorrie, on school
jaunts with their girls, Keshia, now
10, Kayla, eight and Kabrina, four,
CONTINUED FROM A-4
the Dairy Farmers of Canada will
become involved under two condi-
tions.
They want Prime Minister Jean
Chretien to temporarily stops the
mportation of blended products
while the CITT meets and change
he mandate to determine what tar-
ff line is appropriate, not if they
iigned the right trade agreement.
Core would like to see the impor-
ation of blended dairy products
and as a family. It reminded
Jacquie of what she had seen hap-
pening with schoolchildren who
had visited her farm. "They were
so fascinated by the animals and
learning about farming. I remem-
bered how important that is to some
who never get the chance to go to
the farm."
When Bishops heard that Lis-
mores were thinking of relocating
to the east coast they, after careful
consideration, decided to continue
what Lismores had started here.
The Lismores, who had opted to
move, Jacquie said, because they
had nowhere on their existing land
to expand, were thrilled someone
was going to take it over. "They
had done the groundwork and were
glad to see it was going to continue
here," she said. "My job ended
when we moved here so taking up
the sheep show was something that
would take up my time."
While the Lismores took their
breeding stock with them, Kevin
and Jacquie purchased the rams and
the stage, which they brought to
their 133 acre farm.
They now have 15 rams, 135
ewes and 100 lambs, though that
number changes daily, Jacquie
laughs.
The Bishops constructed a 40x80
foot shed, with the help of neigh-
bour Brian Schlosser, which will
besides housing a demonstration
stopped for all companies so they
buy Canadian.
"Many of these manufacturers
are multi-nationals where the prof-
its flow out. They are doing this
becathe it is cheaper."
Large corporations are also
bringing in the New Zealand but-
teroil/sugar through Mexico's free
trade zone.
"Canada supports supply man-
agement but they must show border
protection."
and viewing area, house a gift shop
and washrooms. Visitors will have
the opportunity to see sheep shear-
in.& and feel the differences in the
wool as it goes through several pro-
cesses from washing and carding to
spinning and winding to the fin-
ished product.
Children will also be able to bot-
tle feed lambs. "It will be very
much a hands-on experience," says
Jacquie.
There will be crafts for children
to work on that deal with weaving
and have information on the differ-
ent breeds of sheep. Jacquie says
.she is planning a needle in the
woolpile game, along with wool
sack races and other games related
to sheep.
The gift shop will offer hand-
crafted items from local talent, with
much of the focus on wool. Joyce
Johnston will be assisting in the
gift shop.
One other interesting idea, which
while not exactly in keeping with
sheep does provide an opportunity
to explore a farm is a corn maze.
"People in the neighbourhood have
designed a corn maze for people to
explore. We will have white flags
so there is no danger of anyone get-
ting lost and we haven't decided
what will be in the middle, but
there will be a surprise."
Jacquie believed that bringing
children to agriculture was impor-
tant. But that so many agreed has
been a bit of a surprise to her. Just
starting things off, she has ben
amazed at the number of calls she
has had about Shayrina. "I have had
a number of interested people
phoning from Toronto. Bookings
are starting to come and we have
only just begun."
To promote themselves the Bish-
ops are targetting schools and nurs-
ing homes. They also have
brochures available at tourism
offices and other public venues,
including Blyth Festival Theatre
CONTINUED ON A-6
DFC seeks PM's support