SEKSPA’s Annual 2024 Meeting

Thanks to the sponsorship of
Kentucky State University

SEKSPA's Annual Meeting

was a smash hit!

The meeting room was filled to nearly standing-room-only capacity with 192 members attending!

Kentucky Department of Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell expressed his strong support for the sheep, goat, and wool industries in Kentucky.

UK's Dr. Gregg Rentfrow explained lamb quality grading & news from Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment.

UK's Dr. Gregg Rentfrow explained lamb quality grading & news from Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment.

Shon Wylie with Kentucky Wool Works talked about opportunities, issues and solutions for wool business producers in eastern & southeastern KY.

Hannah Howard with Greater Cumberland Fibershed explained the Fibershed movement, fiber arts, and the SEKSPA-GCF Partnership.

At noon, 192 members were served a delicious lamb luncheon of roasted leg-of-lamb from the University of Kentucky's Sheep Unit/Butcher Shop. The luncheon and sides were prepared and served by LaDonna's Catering of London.

After lunch, the Wool & Fiber Arts Chapter of SEKSPA met in a breakout session and developed strategies for moving forward. They elected the following officers:
Tammy Sizemore (President)
Natasha Evans (Vice-President)
Janella Miller (Secretary)
Amber Stimpson (Communications/PR)
Kathy Brown (Fibershed Contact)
Lisa Nicholas (SEKSPA Board Representative)

Harry Frederick, President of the Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association, talked with great optimism about the state of the sheep industry in Kentucky.

Dr. Avinash Tope announced that Kentucky State University will be collaborating closely with SEKSPA to deliver research-based information and practical skills to sheep & goat farmers in eastern & southeastern Kentucky.

Dr. Jerusha Lay, DVM, wrapped up SEKSPA's Annual Meeting with an intriguing and informative presentation on Breeding Herd Management.

Door prize donations and support came from:

Benge Farm Supply
Bluegrass Stockyards
Burkmann Feeds
Busic Farm Supply & Equipment
Community Farm Alliance
Greater Cumberland Fibershed
Kalmbach Feeds
Kentucky Wool Works
Lakeland Farm & Ranch
Premier 1 Sheep Supplies
Red Barn Wool
Science Hill Milling Co & Farm Supply
Southern States London Co-Op
USDA- Farm Service Agency

Gerald Crowe with Cabin Hollow Farm donated two lambing pens (a $250 value) for a raffle that raised much needed funding for SEKSPA!

Lamb Quality Grading
&
What's happening at M-G CAFE
Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, Ph.D.

Breeding Herd Management
Jerusha Jay, DVM

Issues and Solutions For Wool Business Producers
Kentucky Wool Works
Shon Wylie & Kathy Meyer

Fibershed Greater Cumberland
Hannah Howard

Greetings from Kentucky State University

Dr. Avinash Tope
Land Grant Director

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