- December 2011
- Annual Convention Tours and Schedule Information
- ASI Receives Grant
- Conception to Consumption: Producer Focuses on Diversity
- From Blizzards to Blankets: Mooty Family Revives Historic Minnesota Mill
- Let’s Grow Media Tour Continues in Midwest
- Let’s Grow Topic at Trade Talk
- MSU Receives $743,000 for Sheep Research
- Proper Handling/Management Urged for TX Fine-Wool Sheep
- Research Shows Guard Dogs Relax Sheep
- Vilsack Announces ALB Appointments
(December 1, 2011) The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) informed the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) that it was awarded a $26,000 grant to help fund the sheep industry’s “Sheep Producer Mentorship Program — Introducing New Producers to the Opportunities of the Sheep Industry.”
“It’s encouraging to have the sheep center operational and providing funding for projects to strengthen the sheep business in this country,” comments Peter Orwick, ASI executive director. “ASI secured the authorization and a million dollars in funds in the 2008 Farm Bill so that businesses and organizations could compete for financing that would otherwise likely not be available given the size and infrastructure of the sheep industry.”
The grant will be used entirely to fund the development and distribution of the mentor-support items (tool kit, guidelines for mentoring, webinars and a catalog of mostly web-based sheep production education courses) and will be matched by the mentor component of the “Let’s Grow” initiative.
“State sheep associations are signing up now to establish producer mentor networks via the ASI campaign, and we are pleased the center has joined the partnership with states, the National Lamb Feeders Association and the top lamb and wool companies to increase the sheep inventory in 2011,” concludes Orwick.
The grant proposal invited NSIIC to become a partner in this national initiative to increase American sheep production in an effort to meet increasing demand. The “Let’s Grow” initiative includes the already launched “twoPLUS” campaign for current sheep producers. A fiscal year 2012 campaign is being launched to attract and support new sheep producers.
The center plans to post its progress on grants to www.nsiic.org.