By: Roger A. High, Executive Director, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, Ohio’s Sheep and Wool check-off program will invest up to $36,500 into sheep and wool promotion, education, industry information, and producer programs in FY 2012-2013. OSWP received seventeen Requests for Proposals for FY 2012-13, with thirteen of these proposals approved for full or partial funding by the board. The funding plan was approved by the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program Board of Directors at their October board meeting. The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program approved programs that would benefit every segment of the Ohio Sheep Industry. Lamb promotional programs approved included the Ohio Lamb Jam, Ohio Lamb Chef’s Day and Ohio Soybean Council Grocery Store Promotion. Educational programs include the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium, Ohio Sheep Day, AGRI-Power Institute, Statewide Sheep Shearing Schools, Ohio Sheep Summit, Ohio Sheep Forage and Farm Tour, and a Fall Education Program. Producer Programs include funding to support purebred and club lamb sale marketing programs, as well as a Young Entrepreneurs Educational Program. Other programs funded by OSWP include the Ohio Heartland Cuisine promotional program at the Ohio State Fair as well as the State FFA Sheep Proficiency Award and other smaller sheep and wool industry programs. “These programs are primarily collaborative efforts that will increase visibility of the Ohio sheep and wool industry to the consumer as well as improve the knowledge base of our sheep, lamb and wool producers, according to Roger A. High, Executive Director, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program. The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program Board of Directors is committed to assuring that every segment of the industry is represented in the funding since every segment contributes to the program. The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program assess ½ of 1% based on the value on any sheep or lamb sold by an Ohio producer and $0.01 per pound of wool produced by an Ohio producer. These check-off funds are collected by stockyards, purebred and club lamb sales, county fairs and the Ohio State Fair, wool marketing facilities, and provided by private sales from Ohio sheep and lamb producing farms. For more information, contact the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program at 614-246-8299 or visit the website at www.ohiosheep.org.