Around the States
Maryland
Certified Wool Classing School
The Maryland Sheep Breeders Association will sponsor a three-day ASI Wool Classing School at the Maryland State Fairgrounds June 21-23, providing students with the opportunity for training to meet Level I requirements of the American Sheep Industry Association’s Certified Wool Classing Program.
Dr. Ron Pope, raw wool services consultant with ASI, will teach the school. Pope helped develop and instruct the Certified Wool Classer Program from 1991-1996 as Director of Raw Wool Services for ASI. He has continued marketing U.S. wool and quality preparation for the past 20 years. The school is being held in conjunction with the Maryland Wool Pool on June 22.
The school will be at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21090, starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of wool growth and development, how to identify the different types of wool, how to package and market wool to get the best price. Participants must successfully pass a test on the material presented during the course before moving on to Level II. Those wishing to meet Level II requirements must class additional wool under the supervision of a Level II or III Classer or warehouseman.
Class size is limited to 25 people. Cost is $125 per person. Contact Linda Shane by June 2 to register for the classing school. Email her at [email protected] or write her: 480 Cove Road, Accident, MD 21520. The registration fee includes a resource notebook, DVDs on shearing and wool handling and other materials. Bring payment with you to the first day of the classing school – check, money order or cash (no credit cards) made payable to ASI.
Idaho
Sheep in the foothills is May 14
The Idaho Wool Growers Association, Rangeland Resource Commission and the City of Boise are proud to sponsor Sheep in the Foothills. This event will be taking place at the Foothills Learning Center in Boise on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheep in the Foothills caters to all ages and has a variety of activities that are both fun and entertaining for everyone. Enjoy live music by Gary and Cindy Braun while eating a delicious lamb lunch. There will be local artists and exhibitors presenting sheep related crafts for sale. These include sheep pelts, wool crafts, photographs, sheep bath & body products, natural dyed yarn and many other beautiful things.
There will be sheep dog demonstrations where fans can watch border collies herd sheep and learn about their training and dedication to work. There will be a kids section at the event where kids can learn about wool with hands on demonstrations.
Scavenger hunts for the kids will help them learn about the sheep industry and the foothills. A sheep wagon will also be on sight to tour.
If you would like to become a vendor, please call the IWGA at (208) 344-2271 for more information.
Wisconsin
Hinchley Chosen as Ambassador
Anna Hinchley of Cambridge, Wis., has been selected as the first-ever national ambassador for the United States Targhee Sheep Association.
Hinchley, 18, has been involved with the breed since being selected as the winner of the USTSA’s annual starter flock giveaway in 2013. She was bombarded with members of the Targhee community offering to answer her questions and extoll the virtues of the breed. And now, she finds herself thrust into a similar role.
“I really enjoy the USTSA,” Hinchley says. “I like to travel to the national shows, to see friends and keep in touch with them. The Targhee association is like a family.”
The Wisconsin sheep producer was already serving as secretary for the breed’s junior association and has held offices as a youth leader in both 4-H and FFA. She won a silver sheep proficiency award at the state level in FFA and regularly shows her flock.
Hinchley and her family aren’t exactly new to the role of ambassador. They routinely offer agricultural tours of the family dairy farm where her flock is always on display.