The BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program, in partnership with the Mustang Heritage Foundation, is offering a unique 12-week employment opportunity to 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth ages 15-18 to train a yearling wild horse, while earning up to $750 and preparing the horse to be showcased at an adoption event during Reno Rodeo week in June. The Nevada 4-H and FFA Trained Youth and Yearling Adoption allows youth to earn money, while building their resume and offering a great experience for college/scholarship applications.Interested youth need to submit an application packet by March 30, 2012 (deadline extended), to the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Applications can be obtained either from the youth's cooperative extension contact or can be downloaded from the BLM Nevada website at: www.blm.gov/nv/. Approximately 20 lucky applicants will be chosen to participate. Applicants will be notified the week of April 2 whether they were chosen to participate.Pick up dates, times and locationApplicants must be able to pick up their yearling from the Palomino Valley Center outside Reno, Nevada either the week of Monday, April 2 - Saturday, April 7; or Monday, April 9 - Saturday, April 14. Pick up times must be scheduled with PVC: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. week days and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.Adoption date and locationUnless the applicant is adopting their yearling, he/she must bring the yearling to an adoption on Saturday, June 16 at a location TBD in Reno.How it worksThe trainers will be fostering the horses with the option to adopt the animals themselves. The yearlings, which are from the Calico Complex in Nevada, will be randomly assigned.For more information about the program, please contact:BLM: Jeb Beck, Assistant Facility Manager, Palomino Valley Center: (775) 475-2222Mustang Heritage Foundation: Randi Blasienz, Event & Program Director: (512) 869-3225
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
