Stevensville council approves FFA educational exception allowing student to keep two sheep at home

A Stevensville high‑school student asked the town council for an educational exception to the town’s livestock ordinance so she can keep two Shetland sheep at her residence as part of her supervised agricultural experience (SAE). "I would like to keep my two Shetlands in my backyard," the student said, explaining the animals are part of her FFA project; one will be sold at market and one kept as a breeding project.

Her father, David Jackson, spoke in support, saying he did not foresee neighbor objections and that the animals would be cared for appropriately. Mayor (identified as mayor) moved the item up on the agenda so the student could return home and the council could decide before the meeting ended. After brief questions about the animals’ purpose, instructors (named in the meeting as Mr. Motley and Ms. Hackett), and neighbor notification, David Jackson moved to approve the educational exception.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the exception. The council recorded the motion as carrying "4 to 0." Mayor and members reminded the student that she and her family remain responsible for ensuring the project complies with nuisance, noise and odor provisions and any site plan requirements outlined in the town’s ordinance. The student said the animals would remain until fair season ends in September.

The council’s approval was procedural: the town required a submitted site plan showing the stock area and number and type of animals, and council confirmed the student’s project met the conditions for an academic or extracurricular program operated in conjunction with the public school system. The council emphasized compliance with other code sections on nuisance and odor and with any required inspections or conditions tied to the permission.