Empire Sheep Producers Association
Board of Directors Meeting
30 May 2003

Meeting Place: Cobleskill, NY Fairgrounds

Called to order at 7:00 PM by Pres. Keith Stumbo
Roll call of officers showed all present except Secretary Betsy Hodge. Dave Campbell agreed to take minutes.

Agenda Items:

1. Wool Center at the NYS Fair -
Nancy Morey has informed Keith that this will be her last year to run the wool center. A brief description of duties was given by Keith. This is a paid position but not sure of the dollars involved.
Suggestions were asked for:
A. Wool groups or spinning guilds could be contacted.
B. Chuck Simmonds will ask Hiedi S. to ask in their counties.
C. No solution is needed until next year but someone could work with Nancy this year to learn about the job.

2. Quality Meat Booth at the NYS fair
Keith and Kathy attended a meeting at the fair. We have had a paid representative in the past to handle things. However, as with the other meats (beef, pork, veal) money is an increasing problem. ESP has budgeted $500.00 for this item. After some discussion, Jim Goblet will contact Cindy who is now working at SUNY Cobleskill to see if the Livestock Club could take a leadership roll. Any other ideas should be forwarded to Keith.

3. Shepherd of the year –
Don Otterness gave his report. Their meeting had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Phone meetings produced one nominee, Anne Bushy. Motion was made and seconded to accept Ann Bushy as Shepherd of the Year. Passed.

4. Membership
A brief report on member organizations of ESP. There are 7 to date. There are 101 individual members – about 30 more than last year. Discussion followed on how to expand membership and what members get for their $40.00. Keith read a copy of a letter he sent to Heidi Simmonds listing benefits. A suggestion was made by Mike Thonney to publish it in the next newsletter in Country Folks. Jean Walsh asked to do an article in Country Folks about member organizations.

5. Annual Meeting
By-laws say annual meeting should be held in January. However, Cornell will not be having the sheep short course this coming January. Following a brief discussion it was decided to have the annual meeting at the Cornell Sheep Barn on November 1, 2003. Motion made and seconded. Passed.

6. Andrea Walsh Memorial
Don Otterness reported that 6 out of 10 requests for this year are filled and that over the last five years 42 lambs have gone to NYS youth. Don asked that anyone with a lamb to donate or a young person that would like to participate contact him.

7. Newsletter
Keith requested that all member organizations and individuals submit articles and ideas to him (sheepkath@aol.com or 585-367-2775 or Box 121 Honeoye, NY 14471) Dates?

8. Phil Cummings Memorial
This is a one year cues payment to anyone (one per region). One person has submitted in region 6. Motion made and seconded and passed.

9. Other Business
Keith recived a call from Betsy about shearers or lack of in NYS. Discussion followed. Should ESP act as a clearing house? No decision made. Mike Thonney said attendance at the Cornell Shearing School was very good. Also a class is scheduled in June at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton.

Mike Thonney discussed the shearing table from New Zealand that makes shearing very easy. Price about $1,500 US Dollars. He suggested several people could purchase and reduce cost. He will forward list to Keith.

Member from Auburn called Keith about Glennora Winery advertisement touting NYS wine then serving Australian Lamb. Keith talked to both the GM and the chef about this. They both assured him that this would not happen again. Mike Thonney had talks with the chef to try to find a constant supply of NYS domestic lamb.

Everyone viewed the gifts for out-going ESP president Jim Dunham. Keith and Kathy purchased a wall hanging at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Cornell also donated a wool blanket. ESP donated $100 cash. Motion made and seconded and passed.

Motion made and seconded to pay postage for regional directors for mailing to members or prospective members.

Treasurer’s Report – about $6,000 in the bank. 101 individual members. ASI dues for 2004 will come out of these $.

Motion to adjoin – seconded, passed 9:05 pm

Minutes submitted by David Campbell 6/1/03 and typed by Betsy Hodge 7/20/03