Blog #19

Georgia Sheep and Wool Growers Association

So …, Dede and I participated in the GA Sheep annual business meeting recently.  If you are involved in the sheep industry I recommend being a member of your state sheep association, or the association for the livestock you raise.  The benefits are worth so much more than whatever the membership cost runs.

 

I’m not a sheep or wool producer, though. Technically you could say I’m an independent contractor in the industry, but that still brings me into the community.  I originally joined to advertise shearing services.  Over the past three years, though, we’ve made great friends, traveled to parts of the state we wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and learned so much more about the world around us physically, politically, economically, and socially.

Membership in Georgia Sheep (https://gasheepandwool.org/) provides monthly access to national level news of the industry to include pricing, market trends, new developments in research and technology, as well as updates on what you can do locally to influence decisions regarding political action—did you know how many things regarding sheep are in the Farm Bill being debated, as well as how many things are being omitted?

The business meeting we just participated in included electing a new treasurer, live demonstrations on hoof trimming performed by a veterinarian, meat quality and processing, parasite recognition certification, and nutrition, as well as snacks, lunch, door prizes, and networking opportunities.  I had the opportunity to visit with folks I shear for outside of the shearing shed, not sweating and smelling much better than I do on shearing day, too.

A great thing about the networking opportunities and community in Georgia Sheep is the mental health support, even if it isn’t formal.  Everyone in the sheep industry faces the same headaches, hassles, and challenges, whether they have one sheep or one thousand.  Do my sheep have parasites?  How can I treat them?  What’s the best way to trim hooves?  Where can I get (fill-in-the-blank)?  Who else is dealing with (fill-in-the-blank)?  With membership in the organization these questions can be discussed with someone else facing them with an email or phone call, and most members have contact information listed in the directory.  Chances are there is someone with your breed of sheep and/or your size operation who has faced the same challenge, most likely recently.

  

 

This year’s business meeting built on some of the topics covered at the Small Ruminant Summit held at UGA back in March, too.  Some of the same sheep used in the shearing demo in March had their hooves trimmed at the business meeting—yes, I recognized the shearing pattern on a few and extrapolated two months’ wool growth, plus I asked the owner if they were the same animals. 

Along with the annual business meeting there are recurring emails regarding opportunities to contact your congressman on legislation, workshops for craftsmen and artists to learn new skills, and other social opportunities—check out the Gwinnett County Fair each fall for fleece judging and sales.

  

Take an interest in where your food, clothing, and hobby materials come from.  You’ll find quality and diversity in things produced not just in America, but right here in Georgia—you might even check out Georgia Grown for ideas ( https://georgiagrown.com/find-georgia-grown/ ).

I’m looking forward to the next things being developed in conjunction with Georgia Sheep—how about locally sourced and produced non-chemical fertilizer for gardens, farms, and flower beds?

 C-Ya!

*** No animals were harmed in the making of this post. Shearing is an important part of sheep farming for the wellbeing of the sheep. ***