KSWPA Annual Business Meeting Agenda
The 2026 KSWPA Annual Business Meeting will be held at the Clark County Extension Office on October 28, 2026. Below is the business for the meeting. (Reports coming soon.)
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KY Annual Producer Conference > KSWPA Annual Meeting
Secretary's report - presented by Cheryl Kersey
Treasurer's report - presented by Kay DeMoss
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Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival & Kentucky Fiber Trail prepared by Sarabeth Parido, KSGDO Fiber Director. Please note- report is for information only and does not need to be voted on.
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Zack Schwartz, ASI Representative- ASI Report. Please note- report is for information only and does not need to be voted on.
Dr. Debra Aaron- PERQ Committee Report. Please note- report is for information only and does not need to be voted on.
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Bill Decker- Legislative Committee Report. Please note- report is for information only and does not need to be voted on.
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​Funding Reports from 2026. Each year KSWPA receives funds from the American Sheep Industry Association to provide programming in areas of wool and mentor support.
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Wool Outreach ($2144) (this is information only and does not require a vote)
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Mentor ($1000) (this is information only and does not require a vote)
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Scrapie Outreach (this is information only and does not require a vote)
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​Announcement of KSWPA Officer Elections
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ASI Regional Director Report
Lynn Fahrmeier,
Region IV Director
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American Lamb Board Report Camren Maierle,
Sustainability Director
Members will vote on the following officer slate:
President- Zack Schwartz
Vice President- Gary Rose
Secretary- Cheryl Kersey
President- Zack Schwartz
Zack Schwartz resides in Fleming Co. with his wife Margaret and children Bryce, Nora Mae and Parker. Zack is a 6th generation shepherd and has grown up raising and showing market lambs. Today Zack and his family own and operate Schwartz Show Stock as well as Schwartz Meat Company, where they raise and finish lambs and sell retail cuts of lamb and pork locally at farmers markets, restaurants and offers online ordering and shipping throughout the country. Zack’s goals include helping the KY Sheep and Wool Producers Association expand its membership and provide more resources and opportunities to our members
Vice President- Gary Rose
After more than 30 years in corrections, I retired in 2023 and, together with my wife Becky, returned to Kentucky to take over the family farm in Breckinridge County. As first-generation farmers, we explored our options and chose to raise Registered Katahdin sheep for their manageable size and exceptional quality. Starting with a small flock, we focused on breeding premium stock while marketing surplus lambs directly to consumers. This hands-on approach inspired our passion for expanding the direct-to-consumer lamb market, highlighting lamb as a delicious, high-quality protein for every household.
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Today, our farm has grown to 30 ewes, and we will be adding a terminal sire soon to strengthen production. By introducing a terminal sire, we aim to strengthen our premium stock, producing healthier, higher-quality sheep for both the consumer and breeding markets. Through active involvement with the Sheep and Wool Association, I’ve built connections with fellow producers and remain committed to advancing the small ruminant industry in Kentucky. My desire to help strengthen and grow Kentucky’s small ruminant production is what drives me to serve on the KSWPA board.
Secretary- Cheryl Kersey
Cheryl (Sheri) Creech Kersey comes from a background in the Agriculture and Design Industry. Sheri grew up on a Dairy farm in Henry County, is a graduate from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Architecture and the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design where she developed an interest in Natural Fibers and Textiles. Sheri is a registered Architect and Certified Interior Designer and has served as President of KERSEY AND KERSEY ARCHITECTS, since its formation in 1992.
In addition to the Architecture firm, Sheri is Co-Owner of Creekstone Farm, and Owner of CLICK FIBERS which offers:
-Services: Sorting/Grading/Classing of Fibers and workshops on Fiber Grading
-Livestock: Registered Shetland Sheep
-Products: Wool-based products
Sheri has participated in several programs sponsored by the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office and Kentucky Natural Fiber Center. A few of those include:
-Completed the Small Ruminant Profit School Course
-Natural Fiber Center, attended several workshops as well as taught a class on Fiber grading
-Participated in activities, webinars, workshops, festivals, etc through the two organizations.
She is a Certified Fiber Sorter/Grader/Classer through State University of New York (SUNY)- Cobleskill Campus, a board member of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Producers Development Office, Secretary of the
Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association, a committee member of the Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival and the Indiana Sheep Association.
KSWPA has two open board positions in 2026 that will fill a 3 year term. Members will receive an email to vote.
Katie Carothers
My name is Katie Carothers, I have been raising sheep for about 10 years now along with my husband, Brad. Our operation began with a seedstock flock of about 50 Katahdin sheep, and we eventually partnered with another shepherding family to start a larger commercial flock. Now upwards of 1500 sheep and growing here in Kentucky, we still maintain a 120 ewe seedstock flock to produce rams for our commercial operation. I am passionate about the sheep industry and producer education, and have experience operating flocks with different sizes and goals. I feel I can represent the interests of all Kentucky sheep producers with my experience in this industry.
Charles Luke
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Charles (Chris) Luke is a farmer, educator, and retired Army Colonel. After thirty years of service to include tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, Chris and his wife Teli have settled in Morehead, Kentucky where they have started to raise Cheviot Sheep, Kiko Goats, and a market garden. Chris’ education includes a BA from Xavier Univeristy, a masters in diplomacy from Norwich University and fellowships with MIT and UofL. He is published in The Berry Center Journal, Mother Earth News Magazine, Government Executive, and the University of Kentucky Press. Chris and Teli’s oldest child works at Churchill Downs and their youngest is currently serving in South Korea.
Kristan Wright
My husband, Daniel, and I own and operate a diversified farm in Henry County, Kentucky. I have been raising sheep for the past 16 years, beginning with Shetland and Icelandic sheep before transitioning in 2015 to registered Southdown Babydolls. Our operation has continued to grow, and we currently have more than 60 ewes. We are known across the country for our spotted babydolls. We raise and market registered Southdown lambs to customers across the United States and Canada. I am also a member of the Babydoll Southdown Sheep Breeders Association (BSSBA). Sheep are one of my favorite parts of our farm, and I am passionate about the breed and the sheep industry. Through our operation, I am involved in all aspects of our sheep enterprise, including animal care, breeding, lambing, flock management, recordkeeping, and marketing. In addition to our registered breeding stock, we also market lamb for meat, including supplying lamb meat to the Louisville Zoo. This has given me experience with both the seedstock and commercial sides of the sheep industry and a greater appreciation for the many roles sheep producers play in agriculture. In 2025, I was honored to be named the Kentucky Farm Bureau Farm Woman of the Year. In addition to farming, I serve as an Agricultural Education Consultant and the State FFA Advisor for the Kentucky Department of Education. Prior to joining KDE, I spent 13 years teaching agriculture and advising FFA students at Seneca High School in Louisville. In my current role, I work with agriculture teachers and students across Kentucky and help promote agricultural education and engagement throughout the Commonwealth. I would be honored to serve on the KSWPA Board because I am passionate about sheep and want to contribute to the continued growth and success of the sheep industry in Kentucky. I would bring both hands-on experience as a sheep producer and a background in agricultural education, leadership, and outreach. I especially value opportunities to connect producers, educate consumers and young people, and help promote the importance and opportunities within the sheep industry. I would be excited to use my experiences in production, education, marketing, and agriculture advocacy to support the KSWPA and Kentucky's sheep producers.