Lamb Courthouse Employee: Shrek the Sheep’s Tennessee Tale

Anderson County, Tennessee, has a new, rather unusual, courthouse employee. Shrek, a nearly four-week-old hare sheep, has taken up a seasonal, part-time role at the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Agriculture Extension office, located inside the Anderson County Courthouse. The lamb’s presence has quickly turned him into a local celebrity, drawing visitors and sparking conversations about agriculture in the community.

Shrek’s unusual employment arrangement began out of necessity. He’s a twin, and his owner, Breeanna Stanford, 4-H and Agriculture Extension agent for Anderson County, explained that he wasn’t getting enough nutrition from his mother. “He has a twin brother, and he was getting all of mom’s milk, so we needed to pull Shrek from his mother so that way we could make sure he got all of the nutrition he needed to grow,” Stanford said. Because Shrek requires bottle-feeding every four hours, Stanford brought him to work with her, ensuring he received consistent care while she was at the Extension office.

Shrek belongs to Stanford’s daughter, Baylee Brown, and is part of a 150-head flock of Katahdin sheep. The courthouse became a convenient location for Shrek’s care during school days when Brown couldn’t attend to him. What started as a practical solution quickly blossomed into something more.

“He’s a local little celebrity now,” Stanford remarked, clearly surprised by the attention Shrek has garnered. “It’s been a great opportunity to use him to advocate for agriculture and teach a little bit about raising sheep.” The unexpected ambassador has become a talking point, bringing increased visibility to both the agriculture program and the 4-H program within the county.

The impact extends beyond the agricultural community. Shrek’s presence has captivated courthouse staff, who eagerly greet him each morning. “As soon as he walks through security downstairs in the morning, they’re like, ‘Oh! Shrek’s here!’” Stanford shared. He’s even been known to “visit” various offices within the courthouse, becoming a familiar face to those who work there.

The courthouse staff playfully incorporated Shrek into their daily routines. According to Stanford, during a recent visit, Shrek “paid his taxes, registered for school, and even skipped jury duty.” In a lighthearted moment, he was even given a pair of toy handcuffs for his “crime,” a testament to the joy he brings to the courthouse community.

But Shrek’s role isn’t just about providing amusement. He’s become a tangible teaching tool, particularly for those unfamiliar with livestock. Stanford noted that Anderson County is a blend of rural and urban areas, and Shrek’s presence has sparked an interest in agriculture among children who might not otherwise have exposure to it. He’s also helped to educate people about different sheep breeds. “When people see him, they think he’s a goat,” Stanford said, explaining that Shrek is a hair sheep – a breed that doesn’t produce wool – and is becoming increasingly popular in the state due to its adaptability to smaller farms.

The attention surrounding Shrek has also highlighted a broader trend in the region: a shift towards smaller-scale livestock farming. Stanford explained that dwindling farmland is prompting local producers to raise smaller animals like lambs and goats, as they require less acreage. This makes them a more viable option for those with limited land.

Shrek’s influence extends beyond the courthouse walls. He recently attended a 4-H meeting at Clinton Middle School, providing students with a firsthand experience with a lamb. Stanford emphasized the value of this interaction, particularly for children who don’t typically have opportunities to interact with livestock.

The lamb’s popularity has even inspired others to consider raising small ruminants. Stanford recounted receiving a phone call from someone who, after seeing Shrek featured in a news story, wanted more information about Katahdin sheep. “His cute face has opened a lot of doors to educate and provide opportunities that I don’t think people realize are there,” she said.

Looking ahead, Shrek will be transitioning from courthouse duties to the show circuit. He’s scheduled to compete in over two dozen shows throughout the spring and fall, including the North American International Livestock Exposition and the All American Junior Sheep Show. After his show career, he’ll return to Brown’s farm to live out his days as a permanent member of the flock.

Stanford believes Shrek’s success as an agricultural advocate is a sign of good things to come. “If Shrek’s show circuit days and later years on the farm are anything like his early success as an agricultural advocate, he’s got a bright future ahead.” For now, though, he remains a beloved figure at the Anderson County Courthouse, a four-legged reminder of the importance of agriculture and the unexpected connections that can blossom within a community.