Some updates from the Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium on December 8, 2012 from Roger A. High: Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP) name Distinguished Service and Service Award winners During the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium Award’s Program on Dec. 8, 2012, OSIA and OSWP awarded 6 individuals and groups with the Distinguished Service Award. These awards honor people who have made significant contributions to the Ohio sheep industry over the years. The OSIA Board of Trustees base their selections upon the newly developed nomination process and the awards are given out during the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. 2012 Distinguished Service and Service Award winners include: Robert Gucker, McCutcheonville, has been a board member representing OSWP District 1 for nine years and is term-limited. David Inbody, Bluffton, has been on the OSIA Board or Trustees representing Purebred breeders for six years. Leslie Jordan, Marion, has been on the OSIA Board or Trustees representing Purebred breeders for two years. Val Jorgensen, Westerville, has been on the OSIA Board or Trustees representing Lamb Feeders for six years. Susan Crowell, Editor, Farm and Dairy, Salem, along with the Farm and Dairy staff has been instrumental in many sheep related stories for many years. The Farm and Dairy weekly agricultural newspaper have covered every segment of the Ohio sheep industry. They have been a major promoter of the “Let’s Grow plus Two” sheep industry expansion program with their sheep farming success stories. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Accounting Department, Irene Messmer, Bill Riddle, Tammy Moore, and Teri Weathers, Columbus has been instrumental to the financial success of the sheep organizations. They have worked side by side with the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program with accounting procedures, budgeting, and auditing and this has assisted them in being successful organizations. And more news, Friend of the Ohio Sheep Industry award winners named Guy and Pat Flora, of Cardington, and Ken and Kathy Kark, or New Washington, were named “Friends of the Ohio Sheep Industry” during an awards ceremony held Dec. 8, 2012 at the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. This award is given annually to people who have made significant contributions to the Ohio sheep industry and to someone who may or may not have been involved with the production of sheep or in leadership positions at the state or national level. The Flora’s and the Kark’s had been involved with the ownership, management, and have served as editor of The Shepherd Magazine for many years. They have made an impact on the Ohio sheep industry through their dedication to providing sheep farmers with an educational magazine related to many sheep production and management topics. The Shepherd Magazine has also been involved in the sponsorship of many local, statewide, and national educational programs over the years, including but not limited to Ohio Sheep Day and Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. The Flora’s and Kark’s has been a tremendous asset to the Ohio sheep industry and it is an honor to give this award to two very deserving couples from the sheep industry. OSIA and OSWP are pleased to honor the Flora’s and the Kark’s as the 2012 recipient of the award and we wish them many more years of service to the Ohio and United States sheep industry. Congratulations, Guy and Pat and Ken and Kathy!