Hello, Croppers!
This week we learned that Utah officials recently killed three wolves that were getting dangerously close to livestock in southern Cache County.
Also in this week’s Crop, we’re checking in on Little Lambs Foundation for Kids’ progress toward meeting some very ambitious growth goals and digging into a USU program that’s helping refugees find meaning.
Plus, FYI Hyrum folks: you might want to adjust your commuting route — see below for details.
And btw, if you love The Cache Crop, please consider sharing it with your family and friends.
Yours,
Sam
Utah officials kill three wolves to prevent breeding and protect livestock
(Christopher Cherrington | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah officials shot three wolves in Cache County earlier this month after spotting them near livestock. It’s legal because that corner of northeastern Utah sits outside federal gray wolf protections.
Interesting fact: The greater Yellowstone actually extends into Northern Utah. The Utah portion — mostly east of I-15, extending south toward Ogden — is the only part of the state where wolves can be managed. Everywhere else, wolves are federally protected endangered species and harming them is illegal without federal permission.
State law directs wildlife officials to prevent wolves from breeding in this delisted area. “Lethal removals ensure they don’t establish breeding populations in Utah,” said DWR spokesperson Faith Jolley.
Most wolf sightings in Utah involve lone animals, but a handful have migrated in from Wyoming and Colorado over the past year. Since 2004, wolves from neighboring states have crossed into Utah at least 21 times.
Little Lambs gets big glow up — but they need a bit of help
(Stefanee Chalfant | Little Lambs Foundation for Kids) Volunteers for Little Lambs standing in front of one of the nonprofit's delivery trucks.
Since we last covered their work last February, Cache Valley staple Little Lambs Foundation for Kids has made serious progress on a major expansion.
Thanks to support from the State of Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they’ve purchased a new property in Logan and developed site plans for a 12,000-square-foot facility combining a diaper bank and community resource center.
The goal: $1.55 million. Raised so far: $997,000. They’re close, but not quite there. Yet.
“While this is a huge step forward, we still need community support to bring the project to life and meet the growing demand for essential items for Utah’s youngest and most vulnerable children,” Little Lambs’ Shelly Nazer told the Cache Crop. “The expansion represents a major statewide investment in early childhood stability and family well-being.”
Wanna support the cause? They’re looking for donations, sponsorships, in-kind construction help, and community fundraising.
$20K grant fuels refugee farming program in Utah
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Carlos the llama protects the herd from coyotes and other predators who may enter the East African Refugee Goat Project.
Utah State University is helping refugee communities turn farming experience into self-sufficiency.
At Utah Refugee Goats — an 80-acre farm west of Salt Lake City — refugees from Somalia and across East Africa are learning to raise chickens alongside goats. Of the refugees, many arrived with deep agricultural knowledge, but without land or resources, that expertise went unused.
The problem? Bird flu wiped out their chicken flock. But then USU’s Joseph Okoh and Chad Page secured a $20,000 grant to fund training and coop upgrades focused on biosecurity.
“There is this kind of healing that is also attached to keeping livestock,” Okoh said. “Most of them come from areas that are war-torn, and when they go into animal agriculture, it gives them this healing.”
The ultimate goal is to help refugees become self-sustaining farmers who can contribute to their communities. And if things continue going well, there are rumors of a potential expansion to Logan.
FYI, Cache Valley: 2400 W. closed for a couple of weeks
(Cache County)
Heads up, Cache Valley commuters: 2400 West will be closed to through traffic for roughly two weeks.
The culvert just south of 5700 South needs replacing, making the road impassable between 5700 South and 6600 South during construction.
Your detour? Use 3200 West instead. But keep in mind that 1800 West over Hyrum Dam will also remain closed during this period, so plan your routes accordingly.
If you rely on 2400 West for your commute, now’s the time to find an alternate route and give yourself extra time.
Got questions? Reach out to the Cache County Public Works Department at 435-755-1560.