Illinois Sheep Industry Day—April 16th
The 2011 Illinois Sheep Industry barn tour was held April 16th at the Wettstein organic farm, Carlock, IL.
The annual meeting s of the Illinois Lamb and Wool Producers as well as the Illinois Sheep & Wool Marketing Board was held. See pages 4 and 5 for the minutes from these meetings.
The Wettsteins’s raise lamb as well as beef, poultry and pork on their 140 acre farm. Another of their poplar items is eggs. Although the weather did not cooperate and the group was a little soggy, the tour was very interesting and informative. Emily Wettstein showed the group the different areas of the farm. She explained how the pastures are rotated as well as the crop land to follow organic regulations. Emily also explained some of the time saving practices they have developed. Their main marketing avenue is farmers markets and they travel about 3 hours to a market near Chicago. There is a lot of demand for their products.
Next, the group moved to the Congerville City Hall for a delicious lamb BBQ lunch prepared by Mary Beth
After lunch Dave Trotter from Marysville, Indiana presented updates from the American Lamb Board. Dave is a director on the lamb board from our region. Dave explained some of the new promotions the ALB is involved in, including “Move over ham here comes Lamb.”, There is new a fans of lamb website, www.fansoflamb.com and face book page. The lamb board has also sponsored a chef competition called “lamb takedown.”
Dave also explained the American Lamb Board matching grant program. State associations can use the grants to promote events utilizing lamb. The grants are matching grants and there are two cycles each year in the spring and fall. More information is available at www.americanlamb.com. The website www.lambcheckoff.com is the website were lamb promotion materials can be ordered as well as check off forms. A suggestion was made for the American Lamb Board to become involved in the Taste of Chicago held every summer.
Bob Bensen from Westfield, Indiana, American Sheep Industry director region III, also attended the meeting. Bob spoke about the ASI program 2 +2+ 2. This program is designed to rebuild the sheep industry to meet the strong demand. Both lamb prices and wool prices have been strong recently. Bob informed the group that 30 % of lamb marketed in the US is done so by non-traditional marketing. These non-traditional areas include farmers markets, small processors, direct farm sales as well as ethnic markets. More information on the ASI 2+2+2 program is available on page 3 of this newsletter. A new websites are also being developed to explain the program: www.growourflock.org .
Bob also shared another initiative to include the ewe lamb retention program in the upcoming farm bill.
Minutes Illinois Lamb and Wool Producers
Annual Meeting April 16, 2011.
The annual meeting was held Saturday, April 16th at the Congerville Village Hall in Congerville, IL. Vice President Elton Mau called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm. Roll call of directors and officers indicated the following were present; Elton Mau, Anne Crider, Jane Zeien, Region III Gene McGrew, Region IV Mic Crouch.
Jane Zeien read the minutes from the 2010 meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded. All were in favor. Jane Zeien submitted the Treasures report and the following bills for approval; C-far membership, $250; IL FFA foundation, $100; IL 4-H foundation, $100; National Lamb Feeders membership $25.00. There was a discussion regarding changes at C-Far, sheep are now considered specialty area. Suggestion was made for ILWP not to support this funding. A motion to accept the treasure report and pay listed bills with the exception of C-Far was made and seconded and all approved
There was a discussion regarding the lamb stand at the Illinois State Fair. Ed and Allison McEwen did again send the ILWP $250 from last year’s proceeds. It was suggested to invite the Queens from different breed associations to pass out lamb samples at different times during the fair. An annual report is needed from the food stand. State records indicate different numbers than reported. In the future a contract is needed with the vendor using the ILWP space. Secretary to send letter to McEwen’s asking for annual report.
Nominations are needed for the 2011 outstanding sheep breeder award. This award is presented at the Illinois State Fair. Nominations are due in June to the State Fair Office. Suggestions should be given to any of the officers of ILWP. It was suggested to inquiry if two people could be recognized. Two suggestions were given at the annual meeting.
Jane presented a lamb recipe booklet that can be printed with information concerning Illinois producers along with recipes and facts about lamb & wool. It would be a good booklet to promote lamb at many different functions. Cost for printing is $2.00 for 500 booklets. ILWP could sell them for a small profit. It was suggested to look into the matching grant program of the American lamb board to help with printing costs.
Terry Becherer suggested ILWP investigate Jeffers Livestock affiliate program. After ILWP is signed up and puts the link to Jeffers Livestock on the website, Jeffers will pay some money back to the association. Jane will get this set up and on the website. A suggestion was made to contact Premier and Midstates to see if they have a similar program.
Gene suggested that the newsletter be sent to ASI so they can put it on their website. Also, emailing the newsletter may help save costs.
The deadline for registration for the Howard Wyman sheep management school was mentioned. This deadline is May 2nd.
Elton presented the nominating committee report and slate of officers and directors for the year. Those nominated for office included, President – Elton Mau; Vice President- Terry Becherer; Anne Crider – Secretary/Treasurer; Jane Zeien – Executive Secretary. Julie Barr – Region I director, Audrey Angus – Region II director; Gene McGrew – Region III director, Alternate Barry Fischer; Nancy Leapley – Region V director, Alternate Harold Ellenbrock; Brian Houser – Region VI; Dennis Thomas – Region VIII; Jim Tjaden and Ed McQuen – directors at large. A motion was made to accept the nominations currently in place and have the executive committee appoint directors to the open spots. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.
Many in attendance suggested holding the meeting earlier next year as April is hard for farmers to make. It was also suggested to hold two meetings a year, as stated in the bylaws, maybe by conference call. Letters should be sent to all the directors to inform them of the meetings.
Cathe Caple explained a program she is working with that assists those starting in farming. She has had several new farmers interested in raising sheep. She asked for volunteers to serve as mentors
Jane explained her appointment to the Illinois Livestock Advisory Board..
Anne Crider was elected, at the annual ASI meeting, to serve as ASI women – Vice President. Anne explained their mission and mentioned how well the contestants from Illinois did at the national make it with wool contest. They were assisted by Marilyn Donahoe.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 pm and seconded with all approving.
Respectively submitted by Jane Zeien
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