District 2

Peggy Dey: Hello, my name is Peggy Dey. I live in Allentown NJ on our 500 acre family farm where we raise hay and straw. We also raise standardbred yearlings to sell at sales. My husband Steve is a Racetrack Vet and I manage the office. I have a son who farms with us and a daughter who currently attends the University of KY.

And then there are the sheep! We have raised various breeds over the years and each one has taught me a new lesson. Romney’s are such a wonderful breed because of their versatility. They are raised by many producers who “think out of the box” to market the various sheep related products. The northeast is one of the best markets in the country so I see lots of opportunity for growth. These factors make the District 2 Director an important part of the success equation and I think I am ready for the task.

I am a firm believer in keeping the participation of our junior members a high priority for ARBA. A half dozen years ago our our junior numbers were falling. We learned to make it fun, sharing pizza and fellowship, we increased our numbers and today are filling the classes at youth shows around the country.

Thank you for your consideration.
Peggy Dey

Chris Posbergh: Hi my name is Chris Posbergh and I am running for District 2 Director. My experience with Romneys started in 2005 with the purchase of 2 natural colored ewe lambs. I initially purchased these two Romneys to learn more about fiber, but was pleased to learn they produce an excellent carcass too. Since 2005, my Romney flock has grown to 15 ewes. I also have an additional flock of 10 ewes which consists of a combination of Dorsets and crossbreds. I am beginning to completely convert to an all Romney flock since they have proven to be a valuable asset as a true dual purpose breed. Through the local 4-H program, I provide Romney lambs and guidance for several members who do not own any sheep but wish to learn more about them. This gives the members an opportunity to work with sheep which they would not have had otherwise. As a District Director, I would work to increase the involvement of the youth of the organization. Using what I have learned through helping young members in 4-H, I would create a mentor program that pairs a junior member with one or more active breeders. The active breeders would provide advice and help for that junior. By doing this, a junior member could explore all the possible paths with Romney sheep – whether it is showing in the ring, producing top quality fleeces, or producing quality carcasses. Through this program, all the traits that we love about Romneys would be promoted, and at the same time we would be helping the next generation of Romney breeders.

Thanks,
Chris Posbergh

District 4

Carolyn Avery: My husband and I began raising sheep in 1994 when we moved to Oregon. In 1995 and 1996 I bought Romneys from the Rappaports’ Kings Valley Farm and from Silver Creek Lambscapes. We thus started our Romney flock with sheep from two very enthusiastic, very successful Romney breeders whose business plans could not have been more different.

We have continued to benefit in having the generous mentoring of several successful breeders, large and small. We appreciate the breadth and depth of advice offered by these people. One of the best pieces of advice we believe we ever received was from Morris Culver who told us to raise the sheep we liked not necessarily the ones everyone else was raising. As a guiding principle it has served us well.

My previous board experiences have been in other areas and include: Treasurer for the Juneau Education Association; Regional representative to the Alaska State Teachers’ Association; Regional representative to the National Council of Teachers of English; State representative to the Pacific Northwest Library Association and thus member of the Board of the Oregon Library Association; Secretary for PNLA; board member on the Alsea Community Effort, a volunteer group responsible for the building of the Alsea Community Library among other local projects. Currently, I chair the Advisory Board for the Oregon State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Service.

Board members’ responsibilities include voicing the concerns and ideas of members as well as to coming up with new ideas. A Board member should also convey the governing body’s decisions and rationale for those decisions to the members. Being a good listener, keeping an open mind, and providing a different perspective are all part of the job.

I believe that public awareness of Romneys is key to ARBA’s growth and to the business successes of its members. I think that young people are necessary to the future success of this organization and should be sought out, encouraged, and mentored by current members.

Scott Culver: Hello, my name is Scott Culver. I’ve been raising Romneys most of my life – first as my dad Morris’s sidekick when my hand was small enough to turn a breech lamb in the womb – and then as a teenager developing my own flock of Romneys. Now my wife Teresa and I along with my youngest daughter Ashley, run about 40 head of bred ewes both white and natural colored. I am running for re-election as your American Romney Breeders Association Region 4 Director.

As your Region 4 Director, I acted as Chairman of the ARBA Policies & Procedures Committee as well as the Bylaws Committee Chairman. I’m currently chairing the Region 4 Centennial Celebration to be held at the Oregon State Fair on August 24, 2012. At the Centennial Celebration we will be hosting a Romney Breeders Meet and Greet with the help of the Oregon Romney Breeders Association in addition to the annual banquet and meeting. We anticipate a larger than usual youth show and wool show, having added some classes to both events. As part of their Centennial Celebration, a pen sale of Romneys will be coordinated by members of the Oregon Romney Breeders Association.

As I indicated when I first ran for this office, my focus was the promotion of Romneys across the states. That continues to be my focus – hence the new idea for Oregon, pen sales coordinated by Romney Breeders. I also continue to promote Romney wool, whether judging or showing. My secondary goal continues to be working with, and encouraging our youth.

I have many opportunities to work with youth as a 4-H adviser, a judge, livestock director and barn superintendent of the Benton County Fair and coordinator of the Oregon State Fair Romney Show. I also work with the Starter Flock Committee of the Oregon Romney Breeders Association and as an OR Director at Large. I would like to continue as your Director of Region 4 and will promote Romneys and support youth activities.

Thank you,
Scott Culver,
Culver Family Romneys

District 6

Jane Caulfield
Cornersville, TN

I have been raising white and natural colored Romneys in Tennessee since 1985 when I brought down 9 animals from Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Over the years since then, we have developed our farm and increased our ewe flock to 80 or 90 ewes. Our selection process has been aided by incorporating bloodlines from Barnes, Culver, Rooney and Bankhead. Our goals have been to produce, on a pasture based system, a good dual purpose sheep that exhibits the qualities outlined in ARBA’s breed standards.

I believe that it is important to contribute to our association. With this in mind, I have served ARBA as a district director and vice-president. I have been on the AI Committee since its inception and worked with the archive project of ARBA records. Over the years, I have traveled to many ARBA events both in District 6 and through-out the country. It is a great way to get to know other members and to learn about the breed.

I feel, that as the Director for District 6, I can serve the membership of both our district and the association. Please support me by voting for me in this election.

At Large Director

Willis Plank: American Romney Breeders Members,

Hello, my name is Willis Plank and I reside in Hillsdale, Michigan with my wife Chris and our two children Ethan (12) and Caitlin (10).

I have been involved with the purebred sheep industry all my life. My parents Oscar and Paula Plank of Crystal, Michigan, have been raising purebred sheep since before I was born and continue to raise purebred sheep to this day. Growing up I was always involved in showing sheep. I have spent many years showing in 4-H and FFA at our county fair, other county fairs, as well as our state fair. When I was too old for 4-H and FFA I still continued to exhibit sheep at national shows including The North American International Livestock Expo. I truly enjoy raising, breeding, shearing and feeding sheep.

Years ago I attending Michigan State University and received a degree in the two year Ag Business program and also expanding my education by taking courses in the Animal Science program. While at MSU I was involved in the Block and Bridle club and held several office positions for three years. I was also a live-in, student employee at the Purebred Sheep Barn on campus for three years.

I have been employed by a livestock marketing company, livestock feed company and a dairy cattle semen company all in Michigan, all in the sale area.

My family and I have two small flocks of purebred sheep that is slowly growing each year. In addition to the sheep we also raise show rabbits. Currently we have approx. 400 head. We show the rabbits all year long and try and attend the ARBA National Convention each year. With my involvement in the rabbits, I have held many positions with different clubs and organizations. Right now I am the Vice President of the Michigan State Rabbit Breeders Association. I also sit on the Show Rules Committee within the American Rabbit Breeders Association. I have held an American Rabbit Breeders Assoc. rabbit registrar’s license for 9 years and an ARBA rabbit judge’s license for 5 years. In 2011 we started a rabbit supply and cage business to help serve the rabbit breeders need in Michigan.

When I was growing up, I never had the opportunity to exhibiting sheep as much as today’s youth do. That is why I like to stay involved with the youth programs. We need to keep the youth involved and excited to keep the sheep business thriving.

On a side note, I would like to take the time to personally thank the Association for sponsoring the All American Junior Sheep Show. It is a grand event and the best educational tool out there for the youth that want to be involved in the purebred sheep industry. We have attended this show for the last three years (Romney’s have been in it for the last two) with our two children. THANK YOU.

Last year I was appointed by the board to fill the at large position which was held by Ron Andrews, which expires this year. In the short time I have spent on the board, I feel I have been able to give open points of views to the board.

With the next term, I feel I can bring fresh ideas to the board, while working for the membership to move the association forward.

That is why I am asking you to vote for me for the at large director. Thank you for taking the time to consider me to be a part of the Romney board.

Willis Plank

Margaret Van Camp: My name is Margaret Van Camp. As part of a medium-sized Romney breeding program since 1996, I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the breed and the registry. I have met and enjoyed the company of many fellow breeders at shows and events on both coasts and many points in between, and had a front-row seat in the workings of the Board of Directors from 1999 to 2011. As a result, I am very familiar with the expectations and time commitment required of a position on such an active board. When not working the farm, I am a high school teacher with 27 years of experience. From this I have developed considerable patience, problem-solving skills and the ability to work efficiently and diplomatically with all kinds of individuals toward productive action. I am sure that this skill set could be very useful if I were to be elected.

I feel strongly that Romneys represent one of the best multi-purpose breeds available. Whether raised for wool, meat, show or breeding stock, Romneys more than hold their own, due in large part to the commitment to breed type exhibited by those breeders who came before us. I will support all efforts of ARBA to maintain and promote the usefulness, versatility, manageability and profitability of purebred Romneys.

As a teacher, I fully understand and appreciate the importance of promoting Romneys among our youngsters. I have judged multiple 4H wool sheep shows at the county level and truly enjoy educating young shepherds. I see our youth as more than just buyers of show lambs, but as the future stewards of our breed. As such, their exposure to Romneys must include more than what they can learn in the show ring. Shows are by far the most popular means of involving youth, but certainly not the only one. I would support efforts to involve youth in wool use and marketing, helping with breeding selections, feed programs and more, as well as show events.

Thank you for considering me as a candidate for At-Large Director.

Margaret Van Camp

More Details

Morris Culver

ARBA is proud and pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Morris Culver Memorial Scholarship. Morris passed on January 11, 2007, but not before a lifetime of achievement and service that touched all who knew him. Morris was a pioneer in the American Romney Breeders Association. He was a twelve year president of ARBA. He registered the very first natural colored Romney in the United States, in 1972. Morris was very active in judging both sheep and wool.

When Morris was a youngster he was a member of 4-H and FFA. This start led him to a lifetime devoted to education. Along with his career in elementary education he also taught small flock management classes at a community college in Eugene, Oregon. Morris studied the properties of wool along with genetics and wool quality. He held workshops on spinning and dying wool, and how to select fine fleeces. Educational displays were always a part of his sheep exhibit at county fairs, whether it was a selection of colored roving or a sheep half shorn to help the public see the amount of wool on an animal.

We urge all eligible ARBA juniors to take advantage of this opportunity. Click to download the rules and application (PDF). The deadline is July 15, 2012. Good Luck!

The Morris Culver Memorial Scholarship Fund needs your help to honor his memory. Please send your donations and gifts to the ARBA office. Thank you!

Ron

1. Treasurer’s Report

   C. Payton told the Board that the general account balance was $4,586.74, the junior account balance was $5,230.09 and the CD balance was $15,539.50 as of March 31, 2012. Membership renewals are being processed by ASR which allows the registrar to verify that members own or register Romney sheep. Membership renewals through the end of March stood at 140 (active & junior) and it was thought this number would increase with the surge of registrations and transfers in the Spring and Summer months. W. Plank moved to accept the Treasurer’s report, C. Carlisle seconded the motion and it passed with unanimous approval.

2. Old Business

   R. Andress told the Board he would not need funds toward the purchase of updated software as he was getting ready to buy a new computer which would come with a current software package.

3. New Business
   1. Regional Show Reports
      1. District 2: M. Reilly told the Board that the District 2 Regional Show will take place at the Garden State Show in NJ. A booth for Romney promotion as well as for fleece and other wool product sales is planned. Details for a dinner and special awards are being worked out.
      2. District 6: The District 6 Regional Show will be held at the Mountain States Fair in NC on September 15 and 16. A potluck dinner is scheduled for the Friday night before the show. B. Petrick asked whether there was an east coast ARBA display. H. Chapin currently has the display and will get it to NC via R. Andress later this summer.
      3. District 4: Romneys will be the premiere breed at the Oregon State Fair sheep show (August 2012) as part of the District 4 Regional Show which will also be the site of the ARBA Annual Meeting. S. Culver reported that ARBA members will get a discounted group rate at the Phoenix Inn in Salem, OR. A wine and cheese Meet & Greet is scheduled for Thursday night at the Historic Woolen Mill in Salem. The Annual Meeting will take place at the same location, during a catered dinner (cost per person estimated to be $22 – $25.) The Old Board Meeting will take place Thursday afternoon at the Phoenix Inn. The Regional Show starts at 5pm on Friday afternoon with the Youth Show on Saturday at 1pm. The New Board Meeting is to be held Saturday morning at the Phoenix Inn. Youth can haul in on Saturday for the show but all people showing in the Open Show must haul in either Wednesday during the day/evening or by Thursday at 8 am. The Oregon Romney Breeders Association plans to organize a pen sale, the details of which have yet to be determined.
          
   2. Nomination Committees

      Carol Pasheilich, T. Haslem and W. Plank, the at-Large directors, are in charge of finding candidates for the District 2, 4 and 6 elections held in the early summer of 2012. As per the by-laws, the nomination period runs from 4/1-5/1, biographies are due in with the secretary by 5/15 and ballots are mailed no later than 5/25. Ballots are due back to the secretary no later than 6/10 and will be counted by ASR, with the results in by 7/1. Current director S. Culver expressed his desire to run for another term. T. Haslem moved that S. Culver, R. Thompson and E. Julian serve on the nominating committee for at- Large directors. W. Plank seconded the motion and it passed with unanimous approval.

   3. Response Letters

      S.Culver moved that the 3 letters drafted by the Policies & Procedures Committee in response to membership concerns be sent out. W. Plank seconded the motion. A discussion ensued which included the suggestion to use stronger language to condemn cross-breeding as well as tweaking the wording of the letters. President Andress asked for a call for question regarding the letters, which was then subsequently provided by C. Pasheilich. The vote was 6 against (C. Pasheilich, H. Chapin, M. Reilly, R. Thompson, B. Petrick and R. Andress) and 5 in favor (T. Haslem, W. Plank, E. Julian, S. Culver and C. Carlisle.) The motion was defeated.

      C. Pasheilich moved that the Board take the draft letters and give them to R. Andress for further refining and then have the letters represented to the ARBA Board for approval. B. Petrick seconded the motion. A discussion ensued in which it was pointed out that the letter approval process could go on indefinitely. C. Pasheilich amended the motion: the draft letters were to be given to R. Andress to be rewritten and then approved by the ARBA executive committee which consists of Vice President Charlene Carlisle and Secretary/Treasurer Christiane Payton; the approved letters were to be signed by R. Andress. B. Petrick seconded the amended motion and it passed with unanimous approval.

   4. Proposed Budget

      R. Andress called for questions on the proposed 2012-2013 ARBA budget. S. Culver requested clarification of which allocations rolled over from one year to the next. Following a discussion, S. Culver moved that the ARBA Board accept the proposed budget and registration and transfer fee increases (starting July 1, 2012 registrations are to cost $6 and transfers are to cost $5.) R. Thompson seconded the motion and it passed with unanimous approval. W. Plank voiced his concern about the dropping number of registrations and transfers, a trend affecting the majority of purebred sheep organizations in the US.

   5. Banner Breed Notes

      President Andress asked for volunteers from the Board to help write Banner Breed Notes. The following Board members offered to write a column: T. Haslem – May, E. Julian – June, W. Plank – July/August, S. Culver – October/November and H. Chapin – December/January.

   6. 2013 National Show & Sale

      There was a call for proposals for a 2013 National Show & Sale location somewhere in the middle of the United States. E. Julian and W. Plank volunteered to work together on a proposal.

   7. Judges

      C. Pasheilich spoke of the responsibility of each ARBA District Director to supply judges in their geographic area with a breed standard. A discussion ensued. C. Pasheilich moved that the ARBA Board form a committee to inform judges on the breed standard , by providing them with a copy together with a cover letter. R. Thompson seconded the motion. Following more discussion, S. Culver asked for a call to the question. The vote was 2 in favor of the motion (C. Pasheilich and H. Chapin) and 6 against (T. Haslem, W. Plank, E. Julian, S. Culver, B. Petrick and C. Carlisle.) M. Reilly and R. Thompson did not vote as they had dropped off of the call. The motion was defeated.

   8. Committee Reports
      1. Policy & Procedures: Nothing to report
      2. Website: The membership survey will be posted through May 1. Results will be compiled by the webmaster, Doug Meyer, and available June 1.
      3. Youth: A letter was sent to all ARBA juniors with event updates for 2012. There is a raffle of a Little Hooves white ewe lamb to raise funds for the All American Jr. show as well as the ARBA junior show at NAILE. Board members will receive tickets to sell and help raise funds.
      4. Advertising: Several ads have been commissioned in small festival brochures as well as breed books. The advertising committee is still working on the logistics of creating a promotional DVD and is looking into the idea of a cost share with featured farms.
      5. AI/ET: Not available
      6. By Laws: Nothing to report

President Andress proposed having another Board meeting via teleconference towards the end of May or beginning of June to review actual versus expected income and expenses. T. Haslem and S. Culver volunteered for the audit committee to conduct an internal review of ARBA’s books prior to the Annual Meeting in August of 2012. C. Payton will send them material to be audited after July 1. S. Culver moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:46 EST, B. Petrick seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by C. Payton on 4/11/2012

The Spring 2012 issue of Romney Ramblings is now available. Download your own copy here:
Romney Ramblings – Spring 2012 (3.2 MB PDF).

ARBA is looking forward to another great year with our youth. Shows and events are in the works and this is the 100th year of ARBA. The centennial celebration will offer some extra fun with new ARBA designs for awards, gifts and items for purchase. We hope that all of you will take advantage of these opportunities and network with friends, renew previous contacts, and establish new ones. There are always things to learn when you are having fun at these events. Check out the following events.

July 6th – 8th, 2012

The All American Jr Show will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The All American is not just a sheep show, it is a family event. Great event, not to be missed….plan your family vacation around it. There is something for everyone, even the little ones to young/little to show. Contact Charlene Carlisle (c.carlisle@littlehoovesromneys.com) for further details or check out their website .

August 24th – 25th, 2012

The District 4 Regional show and annual meeting will be held in Salem, Oregon. It will also be host to ARBA’s centennial celebration. The open show will be on August 24th and Jr Show is August 25th. This is a beautiful fair ground with many things to do. For further information, contact Scott Culver at 541-231-3398 or scott.culver@oregonstate.edu .

September 8th and 9th, 2012

The District 2 Regional show will be held at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep & Fiber Festival in Ringoes, New Jersey. There will be a Jr show and other activities are in the works. In addition, the winning raffle ticket will be drawn for a white ewe lamb donated by Little Hooves Romneys. You do not need to be present to win and transport options are many. More details to follow. For show information please contact Michelle Reilly at 301-432-2009 or reillymichell60@hotmail.com . For information regarding raffle tickets (to sell or buy) please contact Charlene Carlisle at 856-866-1747 or c.carlisle@littlehoovesromneys.com .

September 15th – 16th, 2012

District 6 Regional Show will be held in Fletcher, North Carolina at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. For further information contact Becky Petrick at whistlestop1533@att.net .

November 9th – 11th, 2012

The ARBA Junior show at NAILE will be held in Louisville, Kentucky. NAILE is the largest livestock show in the world. Contact Ed Julian at 330-325-9150 or ejulian@neo.rr.com or Charlene Carlisle 856-866-1747 or c.carlisle@littlehoovesromneys.com for more information.

Don’t forget the Morris Culver Scholarship Award. Check out the website for the rules and application, or call Ron Andress at 610-847-5410 or windyoaksfarm@frontiernet.net .

In addition to the shows listed above, there are many other shows that are well worth participating in even if they do not have a specific Romney or Junior show. Please feel free to contact District Directors for events in their areas.

Hope to see all of you this show season.

Charlene Carlisle
ARBA Junior Committee Member

The Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Anybody wishing to buy or help sell tickets can contact Charlene Carlisle (Little Hooves Romneys) at 856-866-1747 (home) or 609-760-0399 (cell) or via email at c.carlisle@littlehoovesromneys.com . Any help would be greatly appreciated. The financial cost of these youth shows are minimal compared to what our youth get in return, however the expense still has to be covered. In past years, donations and raffle sales have supported these shows for our kids and with the help from the Board of Directors, the membership and the public, I feel it can be done again. Please open your hearts and your wallet for this event but if unable to, then show your support by assisting with sales. I will be making up packets with pictures, info and raffle tickets that can be sent directly to your home, everyone has neighbors and friends that would want to buy tickets to help our youth and the future of ARBA.

Pictures and pedigree information coming to ARBA’s website and Facebook page soon.

(This survey is closed)