PATTON FAMILY SHEEP UNIT AT CHICO STATE

MISSION:

Our mission is to develop and maintain multiple flocks that model modern livestock production and provide a hands-on learning environment for our students.  Our students are exposed to all aspects of sheep management, husbandry, marketing while developing interpersonal and leadership skills.

OBJECTIVES:

• Produce quality project lambs for area youth.

• Produce quality, seasonal product for our meats lab.

• Support the educational mission of our college.

FLOCKS:

Currently the Chico State Sheep Unit has two flocks to use for education and research.  Visit our "Ewes" page to learn more about our flocks.

Students are responsible for the daily management of all sheep.  We believe in the use of performance data and using genetic selection tools available to us.  We are enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) and are active in DNA testing for scrapie resistance, ectodermal dysplasia in Southdowns, and the dwarf gene in our wether sheep flock.

MANAGEMENT TEAM:

Dr. Celina Phillips, faculty supervisor (crphillips1@csuchico.edu)

Student Shepherds:

Jace Williams, Woodland, CA, agriculture business major, animal science minor

Timothy Kable, Visalia, CA, animal science major, option in pre-veterinary science

Mimi Burchett, Chico, CA, animal science major, option in pre-veterinary science

The Patton Family Endowment:

Wes "Doc" and Jane Patton

The son of Northern California sheep ranchers, Wes Patton arrived at Chico State in 1963 as a transfer student from Coalinga College. He completed a bachelor’s degree in agriculture before going on to Oregon State University, where he earned a master’s and a PhD in animal science. While at Oregon State, he met his wife, Jane, and in 1969, the couple moved to Northern California and Wes returned to his alma mater as a faculty member. For the

next 35 years, he embodied a student centered learning philosophy—encouraging, challenging, and nurturing his students.

Affectionately known as “Doc,” Patton was beloved by students and colleagues for his commitment to every aspect of what it means to be a university professor. In addition to teaching, Patton managed the University Farm’s Sheep Unit for many years and created Sheep Day at the Farm, a popular event now attended by hundreds of K–12 students. He also held important positions in the livestock industry, including president of the American Lamb Board and the American Dexter Cattle Association and in numerous leadership roles within the California Farm Bureau Federation and California Wool Growers. In 2024, he was named California’s Livestock Man of the Year at the Grand National Rodeo and Stock Show. For his achievement, commitment, and impact, Patton earned many recognitions over the

years, including the Chico State Outstanding Faculty Service Award in 2000 and Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Agriculture in 2005. In 2019, he and Jane were inducted into the College’s Hall of Honor. In 2004, Patton retired from the University and returned to his roots as a sheep rancher, raising registered White Dorper ewes and Dexter

cattle with Jane at Glenn Land Farm in Orland.

Wes and Jane remained tightly connected to the College of Agriculture—hosting field trips to their ranch, guest speaking, and supporting student scholarships, projects at the farm, agriculture alumni events, and more. After Jane’s passing in 2022, Wes continued their

legacy of support and in 2024, the Patton Family made a generous gift to support the

Sheep Unit in perpetuity. The endowment provides lasting support to provide students

with extensive exposure to all facets of sheep management, economics, and marketing; the

development of essential interpersonal and leadership skills; and opportunities to produce

high-quality project lambs for local youth programs and premium products for the

University Farm Meats Lab.