District One Angela Holbrook rattissia@hotmail.com
District Two Bailey Ledesma bailey.ledesma@gmail.com
District Three Sophie Melton moonshinemommashome@gmail.com
District Four Makayla Wallock makaylawallock@gmail.com
District Five Laurie Wood swoodylaurie@msn.com
District Six Abi Evans sweaterweatherrabbitry@gmail.com
District Seven Michelle Landis roughnecksm@verizon.net
Get ready for an exciting time because Convention is just around the corner! The Club is buzzing with anticipation as we prepare for an unforgettable lineup of events. You've seen the fantastic posts about the GFA, and let me tell you, breeders are generously stepping up with their amazing donations - what a wonderful community we have!
Be sure to keep an eye on the membership page and our website, www.jerseywooly.org, for the latest updates and schedules for our club’s activities at Convention.
This is where you come in! We need enthusiastic volunteers to help make this event a success. Whether it’s assisting at the booth, supporting the show, or most importantly, helping to transport rabbits to the table and back to their coops during the show, your involvement is essential! If each exhibitor who isn’t at a table could run as many rabbits as they brought - and then a few extras - we can ensure that everything flows smoothly. We truly appreciate any help you can offer. Let’s work together to make this Convention unforgettable, and remember. . . everyone be kind.
Vice President Julie Aversa jtaversa@gmail.com
I hope that by the time this issue is published, the heat wave will be over for this year. There have been a lot of good things happening in the last three months. The Education Committee is really revved up and producing some awesome information. Zeffy has been implemented as our new payment option to avoid the 3% that PayPal charges. I hope that we can use all of Zeffy's potential for the good of our Club. I look forward to seeing how it works for us.
This month, my TED talk is “What do you get for your membership?” I cannot tell you how many times this has been asked. Without memberships, you would not have an NJWRC, which means you ultimately would not have an ARBA convention. You get for your membership fee:
To be part of the NJWRC, Inc.
A newsletter, “The Fluff” Voting Privileges. A newsletter Editor Sweepstakes Sweepstakes Awards Sweepstakes Chair Convention Awards
A website Standards Committee
A webmaster Constitution and By Laws Committee
A NJWRC Board of Directors Convention Committee
A NJWRC Executive Board National Committee
A NJWRC National Show Youth Committee
An ARBA Convention Show Judges Committee
A Boutique Fundraising Committee
Golden Fleece Auction Education Committee
A Trio Raffle
2 Youth Scholarships in the amount of $1000
COD opportunities Scholarship Committee
Golden Fleece Committee
Thank you to all who have stepped up to volunteer and help the Club that supports their hobby. I hope that positive change can continue to happen for this club. Remember to always be kind.
Happy Fall Y’all!
NJWRC Secretary Gail More
You may have already seen the information posted that we are moving away from the PayPal payment platform to a new one called Zeffy. This platform is only for non-profits and is not fee-based. Instead, it relies on donations from the people that use the platform. When you are signing up for a new membership or renewing an existing membership, use this link, Zeffy, or scan the QR code included here, and it takes you directly to the membership selection page. Once you are there, just select the membership you wish to purchase, fill out some basic information including your payment information, submit, and that’s it! You will receive an email confirmation of your transaction along with an attached fillable PDF membership form to fill out your personal information for your membership. No need to print the membership form and scan it back to me. Once you complete the form, it should have a submit button that emails it directly back to me. Nothing to print or hand write to send back! Easy Peasy! Completing the membership form is required so I can verify your membership information for accuracy. Sometimes people change their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses but forget to update them with the club.
If you prefer the old-fashioned way of printing and mailing your membership in, you can still do that using the new membership form at the end of this Fluff publication. The form also has the link to Zeffy if that’s easier for you. You can download the form from the National Jersey Wooly website https://jerseywooly.org/ as well, under Members Resources.
Feel free to email me or Facebook message me if you have any questions. If you aren’t already added to the MEMBERS ONLY Facebook page, just shoot me a friend request and I can add you! This is the best source of information regarding the happenings of the club!
Convention is right around the corner. Make sure your memberships are up-to-date so you don’t miss out on your Sweeps points! Check your emails too. That is where I send reminders that its time to renew!
Take Care!
Gail More
More Woolies Rabbitry
Greetings Everyone!
NJWRC Treasurer
My name is Caitlin Hopkins, and I am honored to have been elected to serve as Treasurer for the NJWRC. Although I am a relatively new member, having just completed my first year with the club, I have felt nothing but encouragement and support from this wonderful community. I hold two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Pre-Animal Science and the other in Pre-Medical studies, along with six Associates degrees earned at Oklahoma State University. My academic background has strengthened both my organizational skills and my deep passion for animal health and care.
At home, I enjoy raising and working with a variety of breeds including Jersey Woolies, English Angoras, Satin Angoras, Britannia Petites (“Britz”), and Tans. Each brings me great joy and inspiration, but Jersey Woollies hold a special place in my heart.
I am truly excited to serve the club and to be a source of strong support for both its members and its mission. It is a privilege to give back to an organization that has already given me so much, and I look forward to contributing my dedication and enthusiasm in the treasurer role.
Thank you,
Caitlin Hopkins NJWRC Treasurer
Record of Vote
May 15th-August 15th
May 31st Motion to pay the Vice President a Stipend passed with 8 yes votes, 2 no votes and 2 absentees.
June 27th Motion to appoint Carly Wood as the Club’s Historian passed with 9 yes votes,1 abstained vote and 1 absentee vote.
June 30th Motion to hold an auction at the 2026 Nationals in Canton Ohio passed with 9 yes votes and 1 absentee.
July 14th Motion to appoint Caitlin Hopkins as Treasurer passed with 8 yes votes and 1 absentee.
August 4th Motion to send a letter of reprimand to a member was passed with 6 yes votes.
August 5th Motion made that no Judge that breeds, raises and/or exhibits Jersey Woolies shall be chosen to judge the breed for ARBA Convention and National. (With the exception of those who are already contracted to do so.) Motion passed with 7 votes in the affirmative and 1 objection.
District One Angela Holbrook rattissia@hotmail.com
Lori Robasciotti and her woolies were turning up the heat June 14th in Chino CA:
Show A 2nd RIS with AOV Sr Doe, TM'S Sparkle, judge Ted Deloyola
Show B BIS with Shaded Sr Doe, TM'S Ciroc, judge Michael Perez
Talk about being red hot! BIS and 2nd RIS all in one day!! Amazing! Way to go, Lori!!!
Fair season is upon us and that's a great time to introduce people to Jersey Wooly rabbits! Printing out some of the informative posters from the Education Committee, printing QR codes to the website or the NJWRC YouTube are all great ways to make information available about your great woolies, especially if you're not able to speak to everyone that's looking at them!
On a quick, personal note, I want to say that I'm honored to have been elected your district rep and that we were honored to have Bethany Robertson run as another option!! There really was no bad choice!
I hope to make you all proud to be from District 1, and hope to serve you all well as your representative! Please, send me any and all of your JW success, hardships, and questions! Together we learn, grow, and succeed!
Scan the QR code to connect to the NJWRC YouTube Channel Page
Representing: Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Mexico
This is our first Fluff with the new redistricting, and I’m so excited to kick things off!
First, I want to say a huge thank you for electing me as your district rep for a second term. I’m truly honored to represent you all and to be your sounding board and voice on the Board of Directors. My door (or inbox!) is always open, and I’m here to listen and bring your ideas and concerns forward on how we can make our club even better. I also want to give a warm welcome to all our new states and country joining District 2. You’re officially part of the family, and I’m so happy you’re here!
I don’t know about y’all, but here in Texas it’s been HOT and humid. Thankfully, we’re almost through the worst of summer. I think we’re all more than ready for fall. Now is the perfect time to start looking over your herds for potential convention hopefuls and thinking ahead to the upcoming show season.
As we start a new show season, I want to congratulate all our sweeps winners! You’ve worked hard and earned it, and I can’t wait to see what this next season looks like for our district.
As always, please consider donating to the Golden Fleece Auction. You can apply online through the NJWRC website under “Member Resources.” There are two ways to enter: donate 50% of your auction proceeds to the club and keep 50% for yourself, or generously donate 100% to the Youth Scholarship. Anyone who donates a rabbit for the scholarship foundation will automatically be allowed to enter a rabbit in the GFA. All donations are greatly appreciated!
I’m excited to see our District 2 community grow! Be sure to like, share, and follow our group page on Facebook, and check out some of our district wins here in The Fluff.
June 13 - 14, 2005
SWRRBA
Wichita Falls TX
John Harris Anderson
Youth-Best in Show
Judge-Randy Shumaker
Broken Sr Doe RH’s Cruella
SWRRBA - Wichita Falls TX
Youth - Show B and C
John Harris Anderson
Judges-Allan Ormond and Gail Krall
Best of Breed both shows
Broken Sr Doe RH’s Cruella
SWRRBA Wichita Falls TX
Youth Shows A and C
John Harris Anderson
Judges - Jeremy Collins (A), Gail Krall (B)
Best Opposite RH’s Grim Reaper Tan Sr Bk
Jersey Wooly Specialty
June 14, 2025
Judge Randy Shumaker
John Harris Anderson
BIS/BOB - RH’s Cruella Broken Sr Doe
BOSB - RH’s Grim Reaper Tan Sr Buck
LERBA Hereford TX
Open - Show C
Jackie Milton
BOB - VNR Atlantis Broken Sr Doe
May 9 - 10, 2025
LERBA
Hereford TX
Open-Show A
Jackie Milton
BOB -VNR ROSE Tan Sr Doe
LERBA Hereford TX
Open-Show B
Jackie Milton
BOB - Periwinkle's Drip Broken Sr Buck
BOS - VNR Rockin Robin Self Jr Doe
Hello everyone!
District Three Sophie Melton moonshinemommashome@gmail.com
Representing: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Canada - SK.
I'm so glad to be your new District 3 rep! My plan over the next year is to meet as many of you as I can. If you're in my district, and on Facebook, join our group, NJWRC District 3. You may also email me at moonshinemommashome@gmail.com
I am as far south in our district as you can get (just 15 minutes from the TX border) but will be looking for shows to attend that bring me further north. In the meantime, I'd love to connect online! Good luck in this upcoming show season, and please share your wins with me!
May your nestboxes be full of does, and your coats in good condition!
See ya around,
Sophie
November 14th-19th 2025 ARBA Convention, Indianapolis IN December 5, 2025* Deadline for Fluff Articles, Reports, Photos. *Delayed to include Convention results
February 15, 2026 Deadline for Fluff Articles, Reports, Photos
April 7, 2026 Entries for the NJWRC National Show due April 11, 2026 Jersey Wooly Nationals, Canton OH May 15, 2026 Deadline for Fluff Articles, Reports, Photos
I hope everyone is making it through the crazy weather we have been having lately. There have been days here in Wisconsin when the A/C in the barn just can’t keep up so the freezer became stocked with water bottles. That way there are always frozen water bottles on hand to rotate out and replace the ones that have thawed. Even my younger juniors figured out that a frozen water bottle could be your
Making more trips out to the barn throughout the day helps in two ways: 1.) To refresh water and make sure rabbits have access to cold water at all times, and 2.) It provides the opportunity for extra checks to make sure no one is starting to stress out.
Another practice that helped the rabbits through the super hot days was changing my routine evening feeding time to much later at night, once the temperature had dropped. Feeding more hay and cutting back on pellets or even feeding just hay on extreme heat days especially helped my younger rabbits. Being prepared and making some adjustments can really help keep your herd be more comfortable during extreme weather conditions.
It s hard to believe, but as I’m writing this article we are 90 days away from ARBA convention. How exciting! Time to start pre-planning and making lists. Time for performing more frequent evaluations of juniors. Time to start preparing convention sales lists. And most importantly, time to figure out your GFA and youth scholarship auction rabbits!
Representing: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio,
It still sounds strange saying District 5 instead of 8!
This year's NJWRC has been working hard to try to implement some good things. By now, you should see the awesome materials coming out from our amazing Education Committee! I look forward to many more implementations!
I hope this year has blessed you with many litters! We have been going through ours to select our grow-outs and Convention hopefuls! I am thankful that Convention is later this year meaning that I may have coats by that time. The extreme temperature fluctuations have wreaked havoc on our wool and cages! If you are like us, you are getting your show schedule together and marking your calendars. I will let you know, the NJWRC National in Canton, Ohio this year will be out of this world. Besides our National show and Specialty, you have the opportunity to show your rabbits four times this weekend. We will also be have a fiber arts contest, a youth-only raffle for rabbits, as well as a youth Jersey Wooly judging contest!
It is not too late to start planning for Indianapolis in November. If you missed out on making reservations, or just don't want to spend a lot of money on the hotel, reach out and see if anyone has space in their room and would like to split the cost! If you are a youth, think about entering some of the youth contests. It is a great way to get to know other youth at the show as well as immerse yourself in the Convention experience even further!
For those who have never been to an ARBA Convention, it is an amazing experience! You get to see breeders that you may only see once or twice a year. There will be some beautiful rabbits and yes, you may even get to come home with one! We have our Golden Fleece Auction, where rabbits are selected to be put up. This helps the club with our operating costs and scholarships. There will be a few rabbits that will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to the NJWRC Scholarship fund. There will also be a few that youth only can bid on. This is a great chance to get something new to work with your lines. Also, if you are looking for something in particular and are looking for sale rabbits, don't forget to look at the youth for sale rabbits as well, They have some phenomenal stock!
One thing I want to remind everyone of: while it is fun to sit/stand and watch the show, if your rabbits are not up at the judging table, take a moment to help the run rabbits up to the table. While we often enjoy helping out, it gets pretty tiring doing so most of the day. Most importantly, have fun! The club has an wonderful melting pot of people, and while we may not agree with everyone, we can be nice to everyone! I look forward to seeing you at the shows!
Hello everyone!
District Six Abi Evans
sweaterweatherrabbitry@gmail.com
Representing: West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and all other Foreign locations.
I hope you all are surviving the summer weather. It’s definitely been hot and miserable here in Tennessee.
I am so excited to be serving another term as your District 6 Director. I want to welcome all our new friends from SC, NC, WV, and VA to District 6. I hope to meet all the new faces very soon and see some familiar faces too!
Convention will be here before we know it and I am very excited for this convention. Don’t forget to email your wins and pictures to sweaterweatherrabbitry@gmail.com so I can include them in the Fluff.
I personally had the following wins:
West Georgia Summer Show
BOB all three shows with Sweater Weather’s Snap It Send It (Agouti senior doe)
BOSB in show C with Sweater Weather’s Phantom Code (Self junior buck)
The Hulain’ Hares Show in Pendleton, SC Friday night show
BOB with Sweater Weather’s Snap It Send It
BOSB with Sweater Weather’s Dressed for the Party (Broken junior buck) Show A
BOB with Sweater Weather’s Snap It Send It Show B
BOSB with Sweater Weather’s Snap It It Show C
BOB with Sweater Weather’s Snap It Send It
Mandy Green won BOB in Show B at the Hulain Hare Show with B1(AOV junior buck)
We welcomed a new youth from Georgia who purchased her first Wooly from me at the West Georgia Show in June. Lylianna Patricella showed Sweater Weather’s Phantom Code for the first time a few weeks ago at the Aiken, SC show and won 1 BOB, 1 BOSB, and 2 BOSG. Very excited to welcome her to the wooly side!
I hope everybody gets some cooler weather soon and to see everybody at a show soon and/or convention in November.
Abi Evans
2025 National Jersey Wooly Show Youth Best of Breed
Makayla Wallock
Wow, such an honor to win 2025 Youth BOB Jersey Wooly Nationals with my junior Shaded buck! Way to go Wallock’s Woolies Dutton! Dutton’s sire is a beautiful Shaded buck that Dave Arnold graciously donated in the first youth only GFA. Cute and funny story behind Dutton’s very first show, that being 2025 Jersey Wooly Nationals. He originally wasn’t even on my show list. My plan was to actually show his brother, but as we got closer to Nationals, his brother started to molt horribly. My mom and I were finishing up the cage tags the night before leaving for Nationals, and she reminded me that”Dutton” still needed a name. It took me the longest time to actually come up with his name. Normally that isn’t the case. But as tired as I was that night, I’m really glad I took the extra time to come up with his name and one that fits him so well. When it was time for judge Alan Rafferty to announce BOB and BOS, I had butterflies in my stomach. Once BOB was announced, I was absolutely ecstatic! I knew Dutton had recently really “popped” and was special, but he was also young. Thank you to Alan Rafferty for recognizing young Dutton!
2025 National Jersey Wooly Show Youth Best Opposite of Breed
John Harris Anderson with Annie Lennox
The Youth Best Opposite of Sex Breed winner at Jersey Wooly Nationals this year was my REW Doe who we named She was bred by and purchased as a junior doe from Autumn Williams (a former youth breeder here in Texas). Annie Lennox has great lines behind her as her sire was Kathy Moerbe s (Gayle Beirau) Amazing Grace. Annie Lennox is a special Jersey Wooly! First, she probably has the best coat in my herd. Even when she molts, her coat is still better than most. She loves to show, has great show table manners, and is never “spicy like some does can be. Plus, she ended this Sweeps year as the #1 Rabbit of the Year, by just one point! Annie Lennox has shown well for me and has had several big wins, but Best Opposite Sex at Nationals 2025 is probably the most special.
I’ve been raising and showing Jersey Woolies since 2021, and this was my second year to win Best Opposite of Breed at a JW National Show. I hope to continue to show well at future Jersey Wooly Nationals. Finally, thank you to the Sunflower Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club for an awesome National show!
Hello from District 7!
District Seven Michelle Landis
roughnecksm@verizon.net
Representing: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Canada - QC, NL, NB.
I am so excited to have been elected to represent the Northeast region of the US and Canada. By the time you read this, summer will be a wonderful memory, and the fall show season will be in full swing. I hope you all had a fun summer, full of great times with family and friends. Now is a great time to strip your Jersey Woolies' dead coats, power wash your cages, and start looking over your JRs and SRs for Convention. Can you believe that Convention is only 3 months away?!?! I am so excited that we will get to see many of you in Indianapolis!! I have started working on the Golden Fleece Auction and Jersey Wooly Trio. I am very excited to see what beauties everyone has been keeping aside for our National Club's fundraisers!!
I am planning to start a D7 Facebook page and add all of our District 7 members to it. That way we can keep in touch with each other better and share concerns, wins, fun news, pictures, etc. Please do not hesitate to contact me via text, FB messenger, phone calls, emails, etc, if you ever have any questions or concerns, or just want to share some fun news.
Our regional club, North East Jersey Wooly Breeders, is very excited to start digging in this year and planning the 2027 Jersey Wooly Nationals that will be held in Auburn, NY in March of 2027! We are so excited to welcome everyone to the Fingerlakes Region of New York.
Thank you, Michelle Landis D7
District Director
Daniel Kuyoth 8-16-25
RIS Show B
Essex Cty R&CBA AOV Sr buck TT335
ARBA Convention Things to Know Before You Go Convention Tips
By Michaeline McConnell
Convention is almost here! Every rabbit enthusiast should go to an ARBA convention at least once in their life. It is an experience that transcends regular shows. Here you will be immersed in rabbit show culture for 4-5 glorious days. You will get to meet the big names and see their stock. You can shop till you drop at the many vendors. There you can also spy the newest breeds and varieties vying to be accepted into the ARBA standard of perfection. You can participate at various breed clubs' raffle tables. There will be thousands of rabbit breeders ready and willing to talk "rabbits". And you will be amazed at the thousands of show coops filled with rabbits and cavies from all over. Most come from North America, but there are some exhibits and exhibitors that come from around the globe. It is truly is amazing! However it can also be overwhelming. I will try to give you some tips and lists to help you get organized for your first convention.
First, purchase a show catalog. It is available through the host club. The ARBA website www.ARBA.net, will have a link to the host convention website. The show catalog will have all your important information, including: all schedules, show rules, important dates, entry information, checkin/check-out info, etc. Once you have your show catalog, record those important dates and times into a planner/calendar of some sort right away. I suggest noting entry deadline of postmarked mailed entries and online entries, ear change entry deadline, cooping date and time deadline, check in deadline, showroom opening and closing times after cooping, judging times and check out times. Once you have your basic dates and times, you can then start planning and counting down the days. Many experienced breeders plan for convention at least a year or two in advance, but I have made last minute decisions to attend and found a way to make it work despite great distance and a limited budget. Where there is a will there truly is a way.
Next, you must be an ARBA member to enter. Make sure you are paid up and have your ARBA card. If you do not have your card with you at convention, you will have to pay for your membership again at the show, in order to complete your check in process.
Realize that convention is just a single show; one open rabbit, one youth rabbit, one open cavy, and one youth cavy show are held. Enter something, even if you don't think you have national quality stock. Participate and see how your animal(s) stack up in the judge's opinion. You will end up learning a lot.
I like to make mini lists of what I need and what I can obtain at convention to prepare for packing.
Rabbit List: * Carriers, *Cups/Water Bottles, *Regular Feed, *Hay (you can bring if driving), *Supplements (if you use), *Grooming Tools, *Dolly (something to wheel carriers into show room), *Pee Pads for carriers and for under coops (if show committee allows), *Risers/False Bottoms (rabbits are cooped on solid floors, so risers create a wire bottom), *Cardboard/ Heavy Paper (to line 3 sides of the coops from potentially harmful rabbit neighbors - i.e.: spraying bucks/aggressive neighbors), *Zip Ties/Locks (to secure coop doors and keep prying hands from readily invading your exhibit's space), Small scissors/clippers to take off zip ties, *Small Broom/Dustpan (to clean coop daily when they are over shavings), *Small Watering Can, *Black Sharpie (to write coop numbers in rabbit's right ear), *Large paper bag (to place rabbits in quickly when you are cleaning out their coop on a daily basis - keeps them from running
away), *List of rabbits you are showing with coop numbers. Some people like to make a small colorful id tag to identify their coops quickly. All decoration dimensions are noted in the show catalog.
People List: *Show Catalog, *Comfortable Shoes, * Clothing for a week, *Easy to pack snacks and drinks (there are food vendors but lines can get quite long - don't want you to get too hangry!)
Purchase List: *Distilled Water (I do not bring my own nor do I use the local water provided, I find distilled water works well and does not upset the show stock), *Hay (when I am flying in), baby wipes (you will need them for some reason).
RHDV2/COVID19 List: *Virkon/Bleach (in today's world, you have to sanitize everything. Use 1:10 solution in water, must be applied and left wet for 10 minutes in order to be effective), *Empty spray bottle, *Clean new sponge/cloth (for application in coops that cannot be sprayedhas neighbors), *Clorox Bleach Wipes (for quick sanitation), *Clean/New Masks for people (required inside all state buildings at this time)
You will notice that no chairs are listed. Chairs are not allowed in the showroom. You will find them only around the food court areas or grooming areas. Now back to counting down the days! You will find entries are due about 3 weeks before convention. It is a good idea to have potential backups in the same entered classes in case you have to scratch. You will also notice that convention entries are much more expensive than a regular show, plus there is an extra fee of around $10 for each exhibitor that goes to the ARBA equipment fund. In addition, it is best NOT to wait till the last minute to make and pay for your entries. There is an online entry portal, and that can go down due to the heavy last day volume. I try to enter a day or two before the last day just to make sure my entries are accepted.
After your entries are submitted, you will get a confirmation and your coop numbers will follow. Then you pray. You pray for coats to stay in, for weather to be mild, for no one to go off feed, etc. Finally, you make your way to convention and stand before the banner that says, "For The Next Five Days, You Don't Need To Explain To Anyone Why You Show Rabbits." You are at convention! Now you need to check in at the Check In booth. Make sure you have your ARBA card and get your packet. It will have your entry list, sales slips and a badge. Your badge allows entry and exit privileges when the convention is under security after coop in time. Find your coops, put the coop numbers in the right ear of you rabbits with your sharpie (many do this before leaving for convention), place your risers, cups/water bottles and cardboard inside your cage. Place your exhibits in their coops. Feed/Water and decorate if you want to. Let them now rest and adjust.
Usually the schedule is: Saturday is reserved for final check in. Sunday/Monday are judging days. Monday is Best in Show. Tuesday is individual breed awards banquets and new breeds/varieties presentations. Wednesday morning is check out.
I want you to be aware that check out is usually long. Check out packets can be obtained either at the breed booth or Check Out booth. When checking out, you load all your rabbits into your carriers and wait either at the breed club booth or the exit doors for someone to check you out. Someone will look at all ear numbers and sales slips to make sure you are not checking out "extra" rabbits or forgetting some. It is a long process but necessary to ensure every rabbit is going home with the right person.
Finally, when convention is over, you will have so many great memories and experience a real "rabbit show hangover". Needless to say, most people will start planning on attending next year because it was so much fun! See you there!
NJWRC Banquet at the 2025 ARBA Convention
Name: Mara Lautzenhiser
Rabbitry Name: Rain City Rabbitry
How Many Holes: 40 Holes
Location: Washington state
Why did you choose Jersey Woolies as the breed to raise?
I chose Jersey Woolies as the breed to raise thanks to my participation in 4-H. My first showman ship rabbit, Cocoa Bean, was a Jersey Wooly, and her calm temperament and easy disposition is what got me hooked.
Who was/is your mentor?
I have had plenty of people who help me with Jersey Woolies through questions, learning opportunities and advice. This past year I got to know Lori Robiscotti and Michellina better. I would particularly like to thank Nicole Peterson, Bethany Robertson, and Jan McCollough for all of their help.
What are your biggest challenges in caring for Jersey Woolies?
My biggest challenge in caring for Jersey Woolies is cleaning the cages. There is a lot of wool left over and sometimes their feces gets stuck to it which makes it much more difficult to clean in comparison to my normal coated rabbits.
What are your biggest challenges in showing Jersey Woolies?
My biggest challenge in showing Jersey Woolies is timing the condition of the animals correctly so they have good coats when they show. I try to show as much as possible to stay involved and be helpful, so unfortunately, they are not always in as good of coat as I would like when showing.
What are your goals in your rabbitry?
Some goals in my rabbitry for this year include trying to get better hindquarters on my Agouti line, as well as working on heads and ears on my Self line. I am hoping to eventually blend the lines to get the complete Jersey Wooly that we are all striving for.
What are you most proud of in your breeding accomplishments?
For my breeding accomplishments I think I am most proud of the improvement I have seen within my stock and herd over the past 3 years. I originally started with more brood quality animals and am exceptionally happy to see the improvement in my herd so I am able to show as much as I do. I particularly am proud of one of my homegrown Self bucks, BS12. This past year BS12 won Best of Breed at my state convention.
What is your favorite part of the hobby?
My favorite part of the rabbit hobby and breeding Jersey Woolies is the connections I make in the community. I really value the opportunity to talk to different people about their animals and practices so I can learn as much as I can.
Do you have any special projects in the barn?
I don’t necessarily have a unique project, but I am working on breeding good hindquarters into the Agoutis along with a good coat. It will surely take a bit, but I am looking forward to eventually having the whole menagerie of colors in Agouti group that are good representations of the breed. Do you raise any other breeds?
I raise Californians and Champagne `D Argents. Both are a lot of fun and a lot bigger than Jersey Woolies, so it was quite the adjustment when I got into them.
Favorite Rabbit Memory: It’s really hard to pick a favorite memory, but I always enjoy going to the ARBA convention with my fellow Washington State Royalty kids. I love every single year when we stay in an airbnb together. I fondly remember all the times we study and talk about our different breeds and learn from one another.
Thank you for participating,
Julie Aversa Vice President
Hi everyone!
NJWRC Historian Carlie Wood
My name is Carlie Wood and I’m the new NJWRC Historian! I’m super ecstatic to be in this position and to start working. If you’re unfamiliar with me, I’m a breeder from Northeast Ohio (with a focus on Agoutis for the most part), and one half of Snuggle Buns Rabbitry. I’m currently a History major at Ohio University, so this position should be right up my alley.
My goals are to continue the legacy of the previous historian with archives and to help the club maintain records of our past, no matter how recent. Another goal is to have an article featured in the Fluff about something from the archives, old Standards, or even interviews with longstanding members. While I haven’t received the materials yet, I can’t wait! I am grateful for the work of the prior Historian, Bethany Robertson, and to the board for giving me this opportunity!
Don
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National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club Committees
NOTE: the NJWRC President is on all committees
The Fluff
Editor - Pam Schmidt
Sweepstakes
Chair - Nicole Schmitt
National Committee
Chair - Julie Aversa
Alicia Andrus
Grace Anderson
Convention Committee
Breed Chair - Alex Williams
Breed Secretary - Gail More
Breed Superintendent - Julie Aversa
Breed Booth Chair -
Breed Banquet Coordinator - Alex Williams
Breed Sweeps Awards - Bailey Ledesma Perez,
Kathy Hillary
Austin Wesly-Cole-Nash
JoAnna Snider
Breed Convention Awards - Alex Williams
Breed Award Sponsorship - Caitlin Hopkins
Standards Committee
Vacant at this time
GFA Committee
Chair - Alex Williams
Solicitor - Michelle Landis
Application and Youth Only - Julie Aversa
Lindsay Aversa
Trio RaffleMC/Auctioneer - Lindsay Aversa
Judges Committee
Chair - Brenda Kneir
Crystal Clack
Kathy Moerbe
Traci Freeman
Emily Ashton
Guidebook
Vacant at this time
Website
Webmaster - Brittany Moorse
Youth
Youth Liaison - Lindsay Aversa
Chair - Julie Aversa
Caroline Olmstead
Mara Lautzenhiser
Constitution and ByLaws
Chair - Alex Williams
Rose-Marie Turley
Christopher Byers
Julie Aversa
Social Communications
Facebook Admins
Julie Aversa
Gail More
Alex Williams
Election Committee
Ad-Hoc - appointed as needed
Fundraising Committee
Chair - Abi Evans
Carmen Deling
Kira Elaine Mock
Caitlin Hopkins
Education Committee
Chair - Alex Williams
Julie Aversa
Kristin Drum
Cheryl Loesch
Scholarship Committee
Ad-Hoc - appointed as needed
Historian
Carlie Wood
Changes can be made to all committees as needed.
Hello NJWRC Members!
Sweepstakes
Nicole Schmitt
njwrcsweeps@gmail.com www.njwrcsweeps.com
Another complete season is in the books! Congratulations to everyone!
The 2024-2025 season was my 11th with the NJWRC. From 10/9/2024 to the end of July 2025, I’ve issued 10,740 sanctions (this count doesn’t include sanctions that were rescheduled, canceled, rescheduled again, canceled, rescheduled during Covid and RHDV). My goal is always to collect every report for every sanction – it deeply annoys me when one chuckle-head can’t get reports in. There were no chuckle-heads this season, LOL!
1,149 shows (712 open, 437 youth) with a total of 20,567 Jersey Wooly entries. A Jersey Wooly went on to win beyond best of breed in 76 shows (Agouti 11 wins, AOV 4 wins, Broken 32 wins, Self 17 wins, Shaded 7 wins , and Tan 5 wins). I sent late report follow up emails on 45 shows. Those are my fun facts for you!
Points for the season that began 7/1/2025 will be hitting the sweepstakes website in mid to late September at the earliest. There are so few shows in July– it’s always a bit of a sluggish start.
Until next time!
-Nicole
Some of the Sweeps Reports may be truncated due to space constraints in The Fluff. The full Sweeps Reports can be viewed on the NJWRC Sweeps website: www.njwrcsweeps.com.
