Secretary’s Message

PART 1

To 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.

PART 2

Periodically, it is good to assess the recent past and the significant, tangible progress made in the recent past---especially the last seven years. A little history is good. It shows progress—some of which gets lost because life moves so quickly. Only seven years ago, the CSBA was in a tough spot. Registrations had dropped 50% from 2006 to 2014. The checkbook was depleted. But here we are, in 2022, with a solid financial standing, and excellent cash flow. As you look at this list, think about the volunteer hours and donations made behind the scenes, that enable us to celebrate Columbia sheep each year. Keep in mind the hours it takes to maintain these things, too. • Vertically integrated registration, transfer, pedigree, and accounting system • Stand-alone, financially strong, National Show and Sale that rotates to regional locations and is attended by approximately two hundred each year. • The intangible benefits of the National Show and Sale go without saying. • The National Show and Sale, in Ohio, resulted in the highest, overall average for a

National Sale. • A Futurity program that results in measurable financial rewards for the youth and

CSBA consignors. • Addition of a part-time Executive Secretary • The flexibility to adapt to an online National Sale in 2020. Members responded. We sold sheep for excellent prices. We demonstrated an alternative way to market Columbia sheep. With cooperation and volunteerism, sheep were moved from coast to coast. • A NSS Fleece Sale that opened markets to more than 20,000 wool crafters • Increased market for Columbia rams resulting in great averages at the National Ram

Sale - $1,278, Wyoming Ram Sale - $1,233, and increased averages with more rams sold at Newell, Hettinger, and Lewistown • Use of Facebook Live at the National. It exposes Columbia sheep to the world. • Pop-up, educational events at the NSS • Facebook and Instagram with near 2,000 followers—extends to other sheep breeds • Natural Colored Columbias added to the pedigree tracking and registry • Website services that provide excellent business services, allows for online event entries, and is a source of reliable information about Columbia sheep. This year 32 out of 35 consignors went online to make entries and pay fees. • Starter Flock Program – talk to the starter flock recipients. • The move toward judges with commercial and purebred background. Recent judges belong to NSIP, administrate a Certified Ram program, are University Sheep Extension staff, market lamb completely off the farm, and/or are considered experts in wool grading and/or classing. • Increased Junior activities with involvement and collaboration – examples are the fitting contest, video and photo contest, skill-a-thon, sponsorship of the All-American

Jr Show • Facebook membership drive. Eighty-two members renewed in January 2022 • Website sponsorship program

• Re-establishment and development of committees like Promotion, Youth, Starter

Flock, and Commercial • NSS wool show has increased 200% since 2016 • Ram Certification Standard in place - focus on production numbers • More rams on the Wyoming and Hettinger Ram Test • Board meeting minutes and financial reports available to members • Website that allows for educational materials available to visitors. Ninety-five percent of CSBA business is done online allowing members more accuracy and quicker turnaround on business related items, resulting in the Association and members saving time and money. The largest demographic that used the website so far in 2022 are 18-24 years in age = 27.5% and 25-34 years = 33.5%. Interesting.

Progress is not on the shoulders of one person nor the board. Progress begins with self-advocacy. Listen to our starter flock recipients. Ask questions and climb the learning curve. Nearly every day I hear from a Columbia person. The most common questions I get are about the basics—feeds, fitting, and facilities. I always recommend a nearby breeder as a resource. Experience is the best teacher. Beyond that, the world-wide web and Facebook are tremendous resources. If you aren’t on Facebook, find a kid. If you want to set up a sheep forum—start one from your personal Facebook page. If you want to be informed about the latest technology, I highly recommend you follow the webinars being sponsored by Travis Hoffman and Premier, the podcasts and weekly emails from the ASI (American Sheep Industry,) or enter a ram test. Finally, let me address the significance of the National Columbia Show and Sale. I am not sympathetic when someone criticizes the National Show. It is not just about awards. It is about different breeders offering different pieces of sheep that may fit your needs. You get to make that buying decision—regardless of what the judge says. If you are a consignor, you are the best at generating excitement about your sheep. Put your sheep out in the public eye. The best form of advertising is word of mouth—make sure you are telling your story—no one does it better. The National Show and Sale is your opportunity to sell and buy sheep on the most visible platform we have. And I will repeat-- the intangible benefits go without saying. As an Association, we respect financial sustainability. We have made progress from countless volunteers putting in countless hours of work over many years. Columbias are the best in the barn because we have the best people in the barn, who care about Columbias - past, present, and future. No other purebred sheep association offers what we do at our National Show and Sale to ALL segments of our membership. Please stop and talk with me about anything and everything “Columbia” in Cheyenne. My Fitbit told me I had twenty-one hours of sleep in Sidney. I can go with even less sleep for Columbia sheep and Columbia sheep people in Cheyenne.

Charlie Worm

CHARLES WORM, MN

CSBA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY