Empire Sheep Producers Association
Annual Meeting
November 1, 2003, Harford, NY
3:00 pm, T & R Center Conference Room

Present: Keith and Kathy Stumbo, Betsy Hodge, Mary Gloster, Tatiana Stanton, Todd Parsons, Heidi Simmons, Dave and Melanie Campbell, Pete and Kathy MacDonald, Kirby Selkirk, Gary Champine, Gene Wright

Motion to wave the requirements related to voting for regional directors and dispense with reading of last year’s minutes. Motion by Dave and seconded by Pete. Approved.

Sheep Producers of the Year: Donn Otterness not present. In his letter he recommends Ann and Dave Bushy. Louis Besch wrote a letter of recommendation/nomination. There was discussion about how to conduct this award. Next year we will send the nomination form to newsletters and along with the annual meeting notice. A motion was made as per Don’s recommendation to award Busheys a plaque and membership.

Wool Center at the State Fair. Keith read the report. Everything went well.

Quality Meats at the State Fair. Paid Jim to keep things going ($500.00) and this worked well. We pay 10% of costs that includes ingredients, signage and the manager. Kathy and Keith go to meetings every year to help organize. Anyone interested in being the paid coordinator (couple days ahead and Fair time plus three meetings)?

Make it Yourself With Wool – two winners but one returned support check and can’t go. One is going to Sacramento for the ASI annual meeting.

Walsh Memorial Lamb Award – Anyone with lambs to donate please contact Don Otterness (518-355-5722). He tried to find a lamb for everyone that applies.

ASI feedback – We will get the wool outreach money to help with the wool center at the fair and roof repair ($1565). There is also the insurance program where you can (for a cost) insure for the cost of feed.

National Identification Program. Sheep have the scrapie program, use that for now.

Food Safety Program – ASI wants this program to be presented at each state but no one could come to the annual meeting this year. Betsy suggested that we could do it by teleconference at the Extension offices and colleges around the state so we don’t have to travel again. Betsy will check on that. Tatiana suggested that someone from Geneva might be able to present the program for us.

Members lost – there were two lost members that were not receiving ASI mailings. They have been found and we will extend their memberships.

More on increasing membership. We should send a letter to the 30 or 40 people we lost this year. Tatiana asked about the Meat Goat Association and how they join. Keith will check on what to do and whether we are being charged for meat goats.

Treasurers Report – Kathy Stumbo presented the group and there was general discussion about the budget. Mary moved to accept the report and Heidi seconded. Approved. Pete moved to accept the budge and Heidi seconded. Approved.

ASI convention – one delegate is paid airfare and $500 from ESP. Dave moves and Heidi seconds to send Keith as our delegate if possible. There was discussion about an alternate but no one was named and although some were interested none could attend.

Keith asked for resolutions. There were none but there was a discussion of some information sent by Alan Ritchie. The topic was animal welfare groups and how they are getting laws enacted that interfere with farming and we aren’t even aware of it. Kirby talked about a group that got together earlier this year and formed an alliance. The members paid $10,000 to join and they are doing positive advertising in key places. Betsy also asked about joining farm bureau as a group (many ESP members are already individual members of Farm Bureau) and having them represent us and keep us informed. Kirby will look into this and have the information sent to Betsy. Perhaps if we join with the Meat Goat Association we could afford it.

Newsletter – Next issue is December 29th. Get information to Keith. They need it a week ahead. Heidi suggested featuring a breed each time. She would like to see the Ramboullet featured one time. Keith said he needs dates and information from people. We will try to put the dates in the next newsletter so members can submit items.

Letter of support for grant written by Mike Thonney – Betsy asked if the group would like to write a letter of support for a large sheep grant being submitted by Mike Thonney. Motion made by Gene to have Betsy write a letter of support and send it to the appropriate place. Seconded and approved.

Humane on farm slaughter poster is now available. tatiana Stanton showed one at the meeting and said they are available from her for ten dollars. She also mentioned the holiday listing and reminded producers to get their information to her as soon as possible.

Next Meeting – May in Cobleskill

Motion to adjourn made by Todd and seconded by Gary. Approved. 5:35 pm