2008 Sheep and Goat Grants 6/2/2008

The American Sheep and Goat Center has announced the availability of up to $200,000 in competitive grants for the sheep and goat industries.  This is another round in the continuing Sheep and Goat Grant Initiative Program.  The projects funded will seek to address a variety of diverse issues that affect the sheep or goat industries at the local, regional, national or international level.

“This is an important program for the sheep and goat industries and I hope to see a variety of innovative proposals from all segments of the industry,” said Paul Lewis, president of the Sheep Center.  ”The required format is easier to follow than it has been in years past and it is our hope that we will  see proposals of all size, from small to large.”

The full text of the announcement, forms and a summary of projects that have been funded in the past can be found at www.asgcusa.org.  Further information can be obtained by e-mailing info@asgcusa.org or calling (202) 350-9065 or (207) 236-6567.  Completed proposals must be received no later than August 1, 2008 at the address given in the announcement.

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Sheep Center Board Nominations Announced

February 1, 2008

	The American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC) announces that it is accepting nominations to its 

	Board of Directors for two voting directors' positions whose terms expire in 2008. The two positions are for members 

	who are active producers of sheep or goats. 

	The two open seats are currently held by Linda Campbell of Virginia and Guy Flora of Ohio.  

	Both board members are eligible for reappointment. The Board members manage and oversee the activities of the 

	sheep center.

	Nominations may only be submitted by national organizations whose membership consists primarily of active sheep

	or goat producers in the United States. If you are interested in being considered for one of these positions, contact your

	national organization to be nominated.

                Completed nominations should be sent to:

Greg Ahart 

149 Cafaro Circle

Sacramento, CA  95834

Phone: 916-716-0089

Fax:     707-678-1841

Email: grega@superiorfarms.com 

Nominations must be received no later than April 1, 2008. For further information please call ASGC at (202) 350-9065 or (207) 236-6567 or email info@asgcusa.org .

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DENVER, Colo. – Effective Sept. 30, 2006, the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) became the new American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC), a Utah nonprofit corporation.

NSIIC was established in the 1996 Farm Bill to strengthen the infrastructure of the sheep industry. It has provided loans and grants for business ventures where normal commercial credit or funding was not available. Since 2000, the center has provided 56 loans to 38 entities in 21 states for approximately $15.5 million. The center has also made 58 grants totaling $20,754,529.

Federal legislation authorized the sheep center until it reached $50 million in funding or until September of 2006. Approximately $20 million in appropriations is still needed to complete the initial charge of the 1996 Farm Bill. For this reason, the NSIIC board of directors prepared plans for a private entity to assume the current assets and charges.

As the national trade association that successfully secured the original center, ASI has actively communicated in the appropriations process as well as in hearings for the upcoming Farm Bill the importance of re-authorizing the center and securing the balance of the funding.

ASI President Paul Frischknecht comments, “We applaud the development of the new center to fulfill the existing slate of grant and investment responsibilities. It is positive to allow the completion of the current projects while at the same time have an additional board working to assist our business.”

“The center is expected to continue strong support of risk management options for the industry,” added Frischknecht. “In both the agricultural appropriations process and in the next Farm Bill, ASI supports the reauthorization of the NSIIC in order to complete the investment funding.”

The new center will notify the existing grant recipients of the change. Current contact information can be utilized until further notice.

ASI is a national organization supported by 43 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 68,000 sheep producers.

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