secretary's message PART 1
T
o begin this Secretary’s Message, I will encourage you to read the article “CSBA is PROUD of STARTER FLOCK RECIPIENTS” on page 64. In fact, I encourage you to read it first and then, return.
My parents bought four Columbia ewes and joined the CSBA in 1952. The sheep grazed twenty-five acres in the outskirts of Chaska which was a growing suburb of the Twin Cities. Once I came into the picture, the sheep transitioned to my 4-H and FFA projects. I joined the CSBA in 1984. The sheep followed me to my first job as an adult farm management teacher in outstate Minnesota. In 1991, I became a member of the CSBA Board. These are the Columbia breeders I sat down with at my first CSBA meeting: Harry Maddux, Gwen Bassetti, Lee Jarvis, Yogi Braet, Billy Dan Sorrell, Gordon Darlinton, Troy Freeburg, Steve Kitzan, Dave Smith, Jack Wilson, Bob Gucker, and most importantly was Dick Gerber who became my life mentor. So, there I was--a kid with 20 Columbia ewes. I repeat—I was a kid with a handful of Columbia sheep. That meeting defined my understanding of the CSBA and the CSBA Board of Directors. At the time, the Board was addressing the need for a computerized pedigree and accounting system. The Board had hired a professional programmer, but it was not working out. But suddenly, the Board had a kid with a few sheep—and he came with computer skills. At my first meeting, the Board asked a lot of questions. I asked questions. It did not take long, and the Board had a plan and budget. Soon Dick and I put a system together which embraced this new technology. 31 years later the CSBA has nearly 90,000 pieces of genetic, Columbia data. In 2015, I was fitting sheep at the NAILE. The Board was holding its winter meeting. (I was not on the BoD.) I was asked to step into the meeting. I did. This time I sat down with new BoD faces but their intent was like the 1991 Board. They wanted the registry back with the CSBA. It was contracted out in 2006, and registration and transfer rates were going up. They asked questions. I asked questions. Seven years later, we have a stand-alone registry that has saved CSBA members $17,000. At the same NAILE Board meeting, Facebook and the CSBA website were brought up. The CSBA had the beginnings of both. (Keep in mind this is only seven years ago.) The young members of the BoD explained both, and how the CSBA could use both. Quickly, the BoD had a plan and the CSBA was online—in a big way! That prompted the BoD to upgrade the Speaking of Columbias magazine and build a website. Today we have nearly 2,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. I mention these snippets of my CSBA history because it resonates with the story of our 2021 starter flock recipients. History tells me the CSBA evolves. It evolves because of new, persistent members who ask questions and call on willing mentors. They are willing to climb the learning curve. They have a plan which fits their needs. And, probably most important, they are self-advocates for their personal goals as Columbia sheep producers. 8
Speaking of Columbias
