Yep, spring is here, I can tell because of the bites on my arms after working outside all day. I like this time of year, grass instead of hay, yea like it a lot.
We didn't have a opportunity to get into the update of our "Resources" page for the web site at our May meeting, but I will start work on it and we can get back to it early in the fall.
The Maryland and New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festivals are behind us with the Massachusetts Festival yet to come. Both of the early events had larger crowds than those of the last couple of years and in Maryland, the sales were up for all of the vendors I had a chance to speak with. I don't think the same will be said for New Hampshire but more people can only be a good sign.
Most of my readers know that I have been involved with the American Sheep Industry Association and it's American Wool Council for the last several years. This last January I term limited off of the Executive Board and left the Wool Council at the same time. I will remain a part of the Association as a producer and a avid supporter of our industry. Mr. Keith Stumbo from New York replaced me on the Executive Board representing the North East producers. Keith and I are starting a project to hook up ASI with all of the Sheep and Wool festivals nationwide and creating a data base on the ASI web site for all of them. Should be eyeopening for the Western producers to see a market they don't fully understand and that is HUGE!
Get your fleeces out and skirted, the great gathering starts this month and we will be shipping our wool in June for next years blankets. The June meeting is at Owl Ridge farm for stomping the bags full! See you then!
