“You’re shy, but you can do it.” Those words spoken by former Greene County Extension Agent Roger Smith were ones of great inspiration for a blossoming young 4-H student named Lew Crouse a few decades ago.
Now, Crouse would express a similar sentiment to any young people who have caught the “bug” for farming or showing livestock but doubt their abilities to handle such responsibilities.
Crouse’s 4-H and FFA career began at West Greene High School around the age of 16. Under the direction of his Vo-Ag teacher, Byron Hughes, Crouse immediately became engrossed with every opportunity he could to learn about animals.
His first year of showing was 1977. He and his ewes traveled to the Jacktown, Greene, and Washington County Fairs for the first in what would become a long line of competitions for the young showman. “My parents were always good with hauling the sheep to big shows,” Crouse explains gratefully.
1980 marked the purchase of his first merino sheep, which he then showed for years after. “Truman and Florence Calvert from Spraggs really got me started…I’m still close with their sons,” he shares. “I still have Calvert blood in the merinos, which are fine wool sheep.”
In 1984, Crouse married his wife, Debbie, and by the time their children were four or five, they were already caring for and showing livestock of their own.
“I thought it was important for the boys to have their own breeds,” Crouse says. This emphasis on originality prompted Darren to select Rambouillets. Travis would select Targhee sheep, a western range breed, as his weapon of choice. Both boys were active FFA members, with Darren eventually becoming a key member of the Whyte-Crouse Club Lambs, and Crouse’s stepdaughter Ruth showing Suffolks as well.
“Both boys live on farms now in addition to being raised on one. I guess we must have done something right,” he says proudly.
As the boys went off to college, Crouse continued to show after a friend of Lew’s encouraged him to get back in the saddle. “Eva Jean Pettit put the fire under me,” shares Crouse. “She told me she’d like to see me do 50 years. I said I wanted to do 62!”
That goal is the same one that Crouse is actively working on. To aid in the process, Lew shares that he has made some accommodations to his barns that allow him to feed and care for his sheep more effectively. He hopes to show one sheep per year for 12 more years to reach his stated goal.
Today, Crouse owns 100 commercial ewes which he sells to a New York market made popular by Eastern Orthodox Easter traditions annually. “The show sheep get babied more, though,” he says laughing. And Crouse still houses many show sheep, including merinos, Targhees, and the color-morph “black sheep.”
When asked of his workload, Crouse replied, “Summer is the easy time. Lambing and winter are the hardest. But even then, you know it will be over soon.”
“We shear in September,” he continued. “There’s lots of life lessons to be learned by raising livestock. We try to have fun and learn something, which I try to encourage young people these days to do.”
That’s why Crouse encourages any kids who are interested in doing the same to find someone to mentor them as they begin their FFA or 4-H journey.
“Even kids from the city can participate if they have someone in the country to keep their livestock for them,” Crouse suggests. “ I was encouraged to do public speaking through Vo-Ag and showing, as well as the farming responsibilities. If you’ve got it in you, do it.”
From the looks of it, Lew isn’t the only Crouse who’s got it. The owner of a Supreme Champion Ewe and numerous other distinctions now has grandchildren who are equally as passionate about the show world. Sophie and Levi are busy showing market lambs and attending weekly Jackpot shows and local fairs. “Seeing my grandchildren progress week-to-week in their showmanship skills and seeing their lambs do better each week is why it’s worth it. We also have generations of friends who are buyers and have been supportive since day one.”
“Arielle and Caleb are also active in showing in Washington County and West Alexander Fairs, showing lambs, goats, and hogs.” Granddaughter Mallory is too young to show yet.
Crouse reminds his children, grandchildren, and now his Clover Bud Kids, 4-H participants aged five to seven under his direction, to always “strive to win something,” but to remember that “It’s not all about winning the ribbon. It’s about having fun, learning responsibility, and meeting new people who become lifelong friends.”
