
4 minute read
Board Candidates
MARGARET ELLER – MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE CANDIDATE FOR DIRECTOR
I am honored to have served on CSBA’s Board of Directors since 2018; I seek support for another term.
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My husband and I, both retired, have a diversified operation in central MT with irrigated hay, dryland pasture, cow/calf pairs, and 70+ ewes. We market lambs at 90 pounds through local sale barns. Thus, commercial aspects of the sheep industry are important to me, and my position as Commercial Production Committee chair has felt like a good fit. Upholding the committee’s mission— to support and advance the use of Columbia sheep in the commercial sheep industry—is not a solo job. I depend on committee members who share my passion for the mission; I am grateful to those who help carry the workload. My candidacy is based on the committee’s record of achievement, coupled with my commitment to an expanded role for Columbias in the commercial sheep industry. The Commercial Production Committee spearheaded an update of breed standards, revised a fledgling Certified Ram Program that has grown in support and stature, created the three-part wool video on the CSBA website, provides content to Production Corner on the CSBA website, and submits tiny “Knowledge Nuggets” to SoC, as well as features and articles for SoC, The Shepherd, The Banner, regional Ag newsletters, and local newspapers. Current efforts have been guided by CSBA members who responded to our Fall 2021 survey, You voiced support for integrating data into flock management. In response, we provided a comprehensive, free, voluntary flock records tool. The portion of the tool devoted to lamb productivity automatically computes Weight/Day of Age, Average Daily Gain, Adjusted Weaning Weight (AWW) and AWW Ratio. Both the survey results and the Data Collection Tool are available on the Production Corner tab of CSBA’s website. You expressed interest in a wool workshop at NSS. In response, the committee is organizing “Wool—Tools for Evaluation,” a three-part workshop that includes: • A hands-on educational session with Dr. Whit Stewart. • An opportunity for attendees to practice wool judging and compare their judgments to wool lab data and wool experts’ comments. • A display of fleeces with undesirable fibers that can disqualify Columbias from registration.
With continued support from CSBA members, and forward-thinking, hard-working committee members who envision a larger role for Columbia Sheep in the sheep industry, I hope to continue my work. Thank you for your support.
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STEVE HAMPSON – EASTERN TIME ZONE CANDIDATE FOR DIRECTOR
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CSBA and all the members for the opportunity to serve as your President over the last few years, it has been my pleasure. I have learned a great deal. You all know I am a good listener. I will have the red notebook in Cheyenne. I look at the Columbia business a bit differently because I have different markets and different opportunities. I have a contract to sell every lamb off the farm at very good prices. I live in an area where lamb consumption is on the rise. I am within driving distance to Boston. Wool crafting is popular in the Northeast and that changes how I look at selling wool. I find it very important to include the Eastern part of the US in our conversations about selling lamb and wool. Our efforts to advance our product is not limited to traditional markets. Expansion depends on reaching out to unique populations such as where I live. I am a believer in technology. I work as a project manager and, right now, I’m overseeing the building of a hospital. Technology is something you must commit to. Social media builds businesses and it sells sheep. Look at all the online sales. We can communicate and move sheep easily. I see how you are expanding sales online in cooperation with other breeds. Columbias are stacking up and getting great prices, especially in the futurity programs. My wife and I are reaching that stage in life where we are looking to retirement and life with Columbia sheep and the farm. Like most, we want to travel and spend more time with our kids and grandkids - but Columbias will still fit in the plan. I would appreciate your continued support as your Eastern Time Zone representative. - Steve Hampson
MIKE MOENTER – EASTERN TIME ZONE CANDIDATE FOR DIRECTOR
My wife, Judy, and I live on the family farm in Wood County, Ohio. We have three married daughters and four grandchildren. In addition to producing grain crops, we also raise registered Columbias, Natural Coloreds, Cheviots, and Babydoll Southdowns. I’ve been involved in the sheep industry for fifty plus years. My flock began with two Columbia bottle babies. Cheviots and Natural Coloreds were added when our daughters began 4-H projects over twenty years ago. Babydolls were added when the grandchildren arrived. I look forward to serving on the board and being more involved with the Columbia breed.