By: Roger A. High, Executive Director, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP), Ohio’s Sheep and Wool check-off program, will invest up to $34,112 into sheep and wool promotion, education, research, industry information, producer and youth programs in fiscal year 2014-2015. OSWP received eleven Requests for Proposals for fiscal year 2014-15, with ten of these proposals approved for full or partial funding by the Board during their October board meeting.
OSWP approved programs which will benefit every segment of the Ohio sheep industry. A major lamb promotional program approved is the Ohio Lamb Jam. Major educational programs funded include the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium and Ohio Sheep Day programs and activities.
Producer related programs include funding to support a Starter Flock/Mentoring Program for purebred, club lamb, and commercial flocks within Ohio, as well as a Young Entrepreneurs Educational Program, which includes providing funding for sheep producers to attend the Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School. The youth related program dubbed the No-Sho Lamb Show has also been added to the funded programs list.
Research funded programs include an OSU/OARDC Sheep Research Project to study parasites. A meat research project was also approved for funding.
Other OSWP traditionally funded programs 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 and research base of our sheep, lamb and wool producers”, according to Roger A. High, OSWP’s Executive Director. “The OSWP Board of Directors is committed to assuring every segment of the industry is represented in the funding since every segment of the sheep, lamb, and wool industry contributes to the program.”
OSWP assesses one-half of one percent 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.