KSWPA Annual Business Meeting Agenda
2022 KSWPA Annual Meeting Minutes
The 2022 KSWPA Annual Business Meeting was held at the Kentucky State Research Farm on October 22, 2022. Below are the minutes from the meeting.
KY Annual Producer Conference > KSWPA Annual Meeting
Kentucky Natural Fiber Center, Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Festival & Kentucky Fiber Trail prepared by Sarabeth Parido, KSGDO Fiber Director
Jim Mansfield, ASI Representative- ASI Report.
Dr. Debra Aaron- PERQ Committee Report.
Funding Reports from 2022. Each year KSWPA receives funds from the American Sheep Industry Association to provide programming in areas of wool, Scrapie, and mentor support. These following reports were reviewed.
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Wool Outreach ($1312) (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)
The following KSWPA Officer Slate was accepted.
2023 Officer Slate is presented as:
President- Richard Popham
Vice-President- Harry Frederick
Secretary- Sue Churchill
Treasurer- Dorothy Vale
Presentation by Dr. Ely, Dr. Harlow, and Dr. Weinhart-Nelson on USDA sheep research projects regarding Red Clover.
Below are the candidates for Board of Director.
Katherine M. LaCourse
I am the owner of Wyndehurst Lamb in Versailles, Ky. On my family’s farm, I’ve been building my flock of commercial Katahdin sheep. I raise my sheep on a forage-based system. As I look to grow my flock, I’m keeping a close eye on good genetics in both parasite resistance and carcass yield. I stay as up to date as possible on new research and best practices that I can implement in my farming operation to keep my flock as healthy and productive as possible. I also work as the shepherd on Four Hills Farm, a Katahdin farm in Versailles where I’ve been able to learn a vast amount in this industry.
Rick Lawson
Hello, my name is Rick Lawson. My wife Lisa and I, along with my son-in-law Lance and daughter Julie and two grandkids Daniel and Adalyn (my little Farm-her), own and operate Winding Ridge Farm located in Washington County in central Kentucky. On our farm, we maintain a flock of 200 purebred Katahdin ewes, consisting of both commercial and registered stock. We began our operation in 2015, purchasing a group of 24 commercial ewe lambs followed by, six months later, a flock of registered ewes. Through maintaining a closed flock and implementing all appropriate biosecurity measures we have been blessed with a clean and healthy flock, free from foot rot and other major contagious diseases. We are a pasture based operation with minimal grain fed, providing clean water and a source of mineral year-round. Along with sheep, we also raise hay on the shares with neighbors in our local community. We enjoy helping beginner shepherds get started on the right foot by providing a trusted source for good quality, healthy lambs. As a mentor with the KSWPA, I also enjoy passing along as much information and education as I can to fellow shepherds. I would be honored to serve on the KSWPA board and I would appreciate your support.
Paighton Livers
I am passionate individual about the agriculture and sheep industry. I grew up showing sheep in 4-H in southwest Ohio. I attended the University of Kentucky where I majored in Animal Science. I had the opportunity to work at UK’s Sheep Unit. I currently own two ewes that are located at my grandfathers farm in Ohio. I would love to serve to give a voice to young sheep and goat producers. I would like to assist them in securing land to raise sheep and goats in todays difficult real estate market.
Cheryl Creech Kersey
Cheryl (Sheri) Creech Kersey interest in applying to become a board member 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 in 2021 started a new business, CLICK FIBERS which offers:
-Services: Sorting/Grading/Classing of Fibers and workshops on Fiber Grading
-Livestock: Registered Shetlands
-Products: Wool-based products (in development)
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 currently in an Apprenticeship to become a Certified Fiber Sorter/Grader/Classer through State University of New York (SUNY)- Cobleskill Campus, a member of the Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association and the Indiana Sheep Association.
Sheri’s interest in the Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association is to help in the continued growth of the Sheep & Wool Industry in Kentucky. She brings to the Board years of Business experience, Board experience, Community Service and the perspective of starting a Sheep & Wool business from scratch. She is married to Steven and has one son Kyle who is currently in Graduate School.
Phillip Morgan
My name is Phillip Morgan and I am currently retired from State Government where I worked in the technology field. While working in state government, I owned and operated a small farm in Franklin County, producing market lambs for sale to youth in the community and for family to exhibit in local fairs and ultimately the State Fair. Over the past 25 years, the focus changed from market lambs to producing registered breeding sheep and wool products. Our current operation is comprised of 20 breeding ewes, consisting of 2 breeds, Jacob and Shetland. Both breeds were considered either endangered or recovering. Our primary goal was to help preserve the integrity of each bred and promote their heritages. We currently sale registered Ewes and Rams across the Eastern United States. My goal as a KWSPA board member to promote and encourage sheep and wool production while preserving the heritage breeds, representing the small producer in niche markets. Secondly, to establish education programs in both meat and wools breeds that encourage the use of sheep products, creating markets for wool, from fleece to garment. The farmers market initiatives could serve as models for promotion and distribution of products. I hope to serve all producers in a fair manner and provide ideas and incentives for new and established shepherds.
Guy Taylor
I was a sheep producer in the 1980's and 90's when market shifts made them unprofitable. My son and I reentered the business in 2018. We have a small flock of Katahdin sheep and a sizeable flock of Dorset sheep. Our goal is to have a profitable flock of Dorset, selling into a commercial market. We are also interested in expanding the value added Markets. I would love to help expand the local use of our lamb. Lamb is our main income but I would love to see our domestic wool markets expand in the future. I hope to be able to grow our industry and carry the message of our sustainable meat and fiber products to the public.
Blake Thomas
My name is Blake Thomas. I am a WKU graduate of 2019 where I studied Animal Science. I am currently the Assistant Manager for the Burkmann Feed store in Lebanon, KY. I have lived on our family’s farm all my life where we have raised livestock from cattle, sheep, goats and chickens. Just this year I have taken a step of my own to start my own herd of Royal White Sheep in hopes to increase exponentially with the help of my family, my agriculture degree, and my connections through Burkmann Nutrition. I feel with all my connections and background I would make a good candidate for the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association.
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