Membership Newsletter

MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2 SPRING 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE : FROM THE P RESIDENT — B OB M AY From the President 1&4 By now the words “social distancing” our deeply engrained in all of our brains, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shaken many countries’ economies, JSBA Contact List 2 including our own. Many of us are fortunate to be able to work from home, while Registrar Notes 3 millions have been temporarily furloughed or laid-off from their jobs. AGM Raffle Details 4 Yesterday was Easter and the realities of closed churches and sheltering in place have really hit home. Under normal conditions, we would have 14 family mem- Inspector Jacob 5 bers gathered around our table for Easter dinner--this year just eight. Under an Dispersal Plan 6-7 abundance of caution, we ( like many of you ) have postponed family gatherings. How fortunate we are to have the technology which allowed all of our family to 3-15 BOD Minutes 8-9 “connect” Easter evening via Skype! 2019 Year-End Fin- 10 As I’ve told many of my friends, if I didn’t have our farm, sheep and cattle to tend cial Statement to, I would probably have gone crazy by now! 2020 Budget & 1st 11 JSBA’s Board of Directors met via conference call on March 15, 2020 to discuss a Quarter Statement variety of items of association business. It was the Board’s first meeting of 2020. Normally the Board meets earlier in the year ( typically in January ), but the need Ram Management 101 12 for run-off Director elections in Regions 3 and 4 necessitated a delay in seating the AGM Notes & 13 new Board. New Members Among other items of business, the Board approved a budget for 2020 and also Craft Corner & 14- adopted a policy with regard to fees paid to JSBA for registrations, duplicate regis- Knitting Challenge 15 trations, transfer registrations, etc. Effective April 1, 2020, exact fees must be The Fold - 16- included for any services requested of JSBA’s Registrar. Whether payment is Member Ads 17 made in cash, or by check, money order or PayPal, any amounts paid that exceed the actual cost of a transaction will be treated as a “donation” to the organization. Classifieds 18 Logo Products 19 While this change in policy may seem harsh to some of you, the organization isn’t Order Form equipped to record excess fees paid by members to apply to some future transac- tions. JSBA’s Registrar is more than happy to answer any questions regarding fees Attachment-AGM Packet that should be submitted, based upon the transaction ( initial registration, transfer registration, duplicate registration, etc.) So, please feel free to reach out to Linda via email to Linda Bjarkman at: [email protected] , if you need help in calculating the exact amount of fees that should be remitted for your transaction(s). This year’s AGM hostess ( Elizabeth Strub) provided the Board of Directors with an update of her plans for the organization’s annual meeting that is scheduled for July 29 – August 2 at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Marshall. North Carolina. By now, all of you should have been contacted by your Regional Director and provided with additional details regarding travel and accommodations for JSBA’s 2020 AGM. While none of us knows whether or not there will still be travel restrictions or prohibitions that restrict “large gatherings” in place related to COVID-19, we are hopeful that by the end of July, the pandemic will have been lifted by the (Continued on page 4) PAGE 2 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

JSBA C ONTACT L IST

BOARD OF D IRECTORS (BY R EGION ) OTHER JSBA POSITIONS:

Membership Secretary & Director #1/Northwest - Kate Barrett (Vice President) Guidebook Editor - Lorraine Nielsen [email protected] PO Box 4, Crescent Mills, CA 95934 78466 Caudle Lane, Lostine, OR 97857 [email protected] / (530) 284 0971 (541) 569-2499

Business Office - Pam Piepergerdes Director #2/North - Karen Askounis 12122 Sorrel Drive, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024 [email protected] [email protected] / (816) 520-2331 3320 E. Danne Rd, Crete, IL 60417 (708) 514-4962 Registrar - Linda Bjarkman 1197 Eastman Mountain Rd., Tiger, GA 0576 Director #3/Northeast - Amanda St. Peter [email protected] / (706)782-7578 [email protected] PO Box 1252, Gray, ME 04039 Newsletter Editor - Karen Lobb (207) 657-7577 19562 N.E. Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132 [email protected] / (503) 538 7987 Director #4/Southwest - Kathryn Morkunas [email protected] JSBA Logo Sales - Trish Berger 3451 County Road 21, Fort Lupton, CO 80621 8349 Kobert Road, Winters, CA 95694 (303) 659-9192 [email protected] / (530) 795 2578

Director #5/Southeast - Ronald Carnes Registry Liaison - Gary Anderson [email protected] 12250 Phelps Avenue, Sparta, MI 49435 12407 Highway 107, Tuckasegee, NC 28783 [email protected] / (616) 514-9343

(828) 293-7070 Nominations & Elections Committee Chair -

Cheryl Gordon - 7386 Aylsworth Rd, Shreve, OH 44676 Director at Large #1 - Carl Fredericks (Treasurer) [email protected] / (330) 466-2892 [email protected] 10246 Gilbertson Rd, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 Webmaster - Josiah Brandauer (608) 437-4395 P.O. Box 1146, Ruth, CA 95526 [email protected] / (707) 574-6408 Director at Large #2 - Bob May (President) [email protected] Facebook Administrator - Zach Oaster PO Box 349, Hope, NJ 07844 16088 Kenowa Ave, Kent City, MI 49330 (908) 459-5395 [email protected] / (616) 856-2204

JSBA PayPal e-address : [email protected] WHO ’S Y OUR R EPRESENTATIVE ?

USA Region #5 – Southeast Region #1 – Northwest Includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Includes: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming. Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. Region #2 – North Includes: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin. CANADA Region #3 – Northeast Region 1 NW -British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon Ter- Includes: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hamp- ritory, Northwest Territories shire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont. Region 2 N -Manitoba, Nunavet, Ontario Region #4 – Southwest Region 3 NE -Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Labrador Includes: Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah. PAGE 3 VOLUME 32 I SSUE 2 JSBA A NNOUNCEMENTS , N EWS , B USINESS ...As Usual

N EWSLETTER A DVERTISING AND A RTICLE D EADLINES N E X T I S S U E … J U L Y 20, 2020 ( F O R T H E S U M M E R I S S U E )

FROM THE R EGISTRAR … What’s the hold up? Before your registration applications can be submitted to the Inspection Committee for evaluation, the Registrar needs three things for a ewe application and four things for a ram application – applications, photos, payment, and fleece samples for rams. Applications can be submitted in three ways” 1. Electronically via https://jsba.org/web_eforms/sheep_registration_form.php 2. Using the fill-in form at https://jsba.org/guidebook/registration.pdf and submitting via email to: [email protected]. 3. Mailing a paper application to: JSBA Registrar Linda Bjarkman 1197 Eastman Mtn. Rd. Tiger, GA 30576 Remember that an incomplete application will hold up the process. The most often omitted fields are “Bred by/owner of the ewe at the time of mating” and “Body/Wool Coloration”. Photos can be submitted in three ways: 1. They are attached and submitted automatically to the electronic form. 2. Digital photos may be emailed to the Registrar. 3. Printed photos may be mailed to the Registrar. Remember that the inspectors require at least one photo showing an appreciable amount of fleece growth. Sheared photos are accepted as long as an in-fleece photo is also included. This tends to be one of the most common hold ups in the process. Payment is accepted either by: 1. Check (or money order) made out to JSBA and mailed to the Registrar or 2. PayPal to [email protected] Remember that your application will not be processed until payment is received. Please include the cor- rect amount. Overpayments will not be refunded. Check with the Registrar if you are uncertain of the amount due. Please note that a $2 transfer fee is NOT required if you are registering a sheep with some- one else as the owner. The standard registration is all that is required. The transfer fee is only to transfer registered animals. Fleece samples for rams have only one choice. Mail two 1” samples to the Registrar. Inspectors cannot evaluate rams until they receive the fleece samples. Applications often come to me in pieces – application by mail, payment by PayPal, photos by email, fleece samples by mail. This is completely fine. I’m glad to get applications however you want to send them, but do request that all the steps are taken in a somewhat timely manner, so the inspectors can take over the next step. Sincerely, Linda Bjarkman, JSBA Registrar PAGE 4 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

(Continued from page 1)

World Health Organization. If my optimism turns out to have been too ambitious, and our AGM plans must be revised, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I would encourage you to go ahead and register to attend this year’s AGM. If we are unable to hold our event due to Coronavirus issues, AGM registration fees will be refunded. I would like to thank Sarah Karr who has graciously agreed to assume the position of AGM Raffle Webmaster. The idea of an online AGM Raffle was the brainstorm of Linda Bjarkman. Linda has run the raffle for the last 15 years. The financial successes of the JSBA’s AGMs have mainly come from proceeds raised by the raffle. We all owe Linda a big THANK YOU for her vision and direction in making the annual AGM raffle the huge success that it has become. Since agreeing to assume the position of Raffle Webmaster, Sarah and Linda have been working together on the transi- tion. To all JSBA members who have participated in the raffle either by donating items or bidding on them, we thank you. Please, let’s all join together in making this year’s raffle the best one yet!

I hope that each of you and your families stays safe and healthy!

14th Annual AGM Raffle Details… By Sarah Karr, New JSBA Rafflemaster

Hello, Jacob friends! My name is Sarah Karr and it is my honor to be serving you as the new AGM raffle webmaster. Linda Bjarkman has been running the raffle since 2007 and, as we all know how much she does for JSBA, I’m happy to be able to take something off of her plate. Hopefully, in 13 years you’ll be just as happy with me as we all are with her! That being said, have you considered your plans for the 2020 AGM raffle? Each year I think has to have the best donations ever and each year you all are somehow able to top it. From your amazing handmade goods and historical Jacob sheep items to useful sheep books or services, to tastes of your hometown. I’m always blown away by the wide range of donations. There really is something for everyone! The raffle is a great way to participate in AGM, even if you can’t make the trip. Raffle donations are posted online including a photo, a link to the donor’s website, donor’s contact information, a brief donor ad, and a big thank you from JSBA. The raffle page will go live about a month before AGM but please send me your donation information as soon as you have it! Tickets will be drawn live at AGM but can be purchased by sending a check ahead of time: details to follow... Photos, details, your website link, and a brief (25 words or so) ad Feeling Lucky? should be emailed to me at: [email protected] . If you are plan- Buy some raffle tickets! ning a donation or have any questions, feel free to give me a heads up!

Reminder - Newly-Prepared “Fact Sheets” Are Available on the JSBA Website

An introduction to understanding the JSBA Breed Standard, and Fact Sheets for percentage color, SUED, quilting, and horns are posted on the JSBA website ( JSBA.org ). The introduction to understanding the Breed Standard and several other Fact Sheets may be found in a drop-down under “Breed Standard” in the top menu on the home page. PAGE 5 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

INSPECTOR J ACOB … Lilac Jacobs have become quite popular with many Jacob breeders. Lilacs come in various colors and hues. Some lines hold their color better than others. For those that do not retain their color well, it is often a challenge for inspectors to determine the color percentage when inspecting. One way to enhance the inspection process is to include additional photos with the registration application. While it is always important to include photos of sheep in full fleece with the registration application, for lilacs it is also helpful to include photos of recently shorn sheep.

Please note the two photos at right. The sheared photo (far right) gives us a much better idea of the color percentage. If photos of recently shorn sheep are not available, a photo of the lilac as a lamb is also helpful.

This same idea is also helpful for black and white sheep that are on the darker end of the color percentage range. Very dark sheep in full fleece sometimes look blacker than they really are. If you have a Above: Painted Rock Kayleigh - photos by Linda Bjarkman, Patchwork Fibers, Tiger, GA very dark lamb you think you may want to register, it is a good idea to photograph the lamb (see photos below). That photo can be sent in with the registration application. If lamb photos are not available, a photo of the sheep recently shorn is also helpful.

Inspectors want to pass as many sheep as we can. Provid- ing us with as much information as possible helps us include more sheep in our registry.

Thank you for your continued support. Royal Unzicker Above: Abbotoy White Ear-photos by Lenore Thorne, Our Father’s Gift Farm, Castalian Springs, TN Inspector Chair

JSBA I NSPECTOR Linda Bjarkman Kay Kreutzer Doug Montgomery CONTACT L IST ... Patchworkfibers [email protected] [email protected] @windstream.net 15165 Hwy 10 19562 NE Calkins Ln. INSPECTOR CHAIR: 1197 Eastman Mountain Rd. Kearney, NE 68847 Newberg, OR 97132 Royal Unzicker Tiger, GA 30576 (308)237-5713 (503) 538-7987 [email protected] (706)782-7578 1526 Diamond St. Peg Bostwick Robin Lynde Sellersville, PA 18960 Elizabeth Strub [email protected] [email protected] (215) 453-1051 [email protected] 7521 S. Forest Hill Rd. 7811 N. Meridian Rd. 14 White Bridge Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879 Vacaville, CA 95688 Weaverville, NC 28787 (517)626-6981 (707) 688-3493

PAGE 6 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

Developing a Flock Dispersal Plan….Just In Case By Bob May, Swayze Inn Farm, Hope, NJ

The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of us to think about our own mortality. What would happen to your flock, in the event you were no longer around (or able) to care for your sheep? It could be our death or debilitating illness—possibly a stroke. For those of us with a spouse, or child(ren), decisions about a flock dispersal plan might be able to be put off—that is, if your spouse or child(ren) is actively involved in the day-to-day decisions about caring for your flock. Just like it’s important for each of us to have a Will, I believe it’s equally important that we take time now to carefully consider our wishes as to how our flock should be dispersed—if the unfortunate should happen. Many Jacob breeders have invested 25 or more years in the “genetics” of their flock…wouldn’t it be a shame to have a breeder’s entire flock sent to a livestock auction, because the individual didn’t take the time ( while they were fully capable of doing so ) to carefully craft a dispersal plan for their flock. There are any number of aspects about dispersing one’s flock that should be included in a well-crafted plan. The following is a list of items that I have come up, but I’m sure there are additional items that could also be incorpo- rated, depending on the situation of each breeder.

Who will be the designated “caregiver” for your flock and responsible for dispersing it? This is likely the most important decision that you’ll have to make, since the individual selected as your flock’s caregiver will need to care for your flock, in addition to arranging for the dispersal of your sheep. It’s important that you discuss your plan with the individual that you have selected to fill the role of caregiver and make sure the individual is willing to assist you in this effort. Make sure that you are realistic in your discussions with your designated caregiver, since it may take weeks or even months to complete the orderly dispersal of your flock.

What triggers activation of your flock dispersal plan? Your death? What about if you have a terminal illness? What about if you will only be incapacitated for a couple of months? Make sure that you and your caregiver are on the “same page” about the “trigger” that activates your plan.

Have your caregiver spend a couple of days at your farm, prior to their agreeing to assume the role of caregiver. It’s a good idea for your caregiver to become familiar with your daily routine and to make sure that they are not only committed and competent, but also physically able to care for your flock.

Your caregiver needs to have specific instructions for feeding and watering your sheep. Does every sheep in your flock get the same amount of feed/hay? Do lambs get a different feed from the adult sheep in your flock? Where is your feed and hay stored? These are important details that your caregiver will need to know about.

Where do you purchase your feed and/or hay from? Where will the funds come from to pay for grain or hay, in your absence? Again, these are important details that your caregiver needs to know about.

Make sure your caregiver is familiar with any medications that may need to be given to members of your flock, including wormers? Make sure that your caregiver is aware of required “withdrawal” periods for any sheep that will be shipped to a livestock auction.

Have a list of important contact information, including the name and telephone number of your farm’s Vet and any neighbors who could be called to assist your caregiver, in the event of an emergency with the caregiver. Accidents and scheduling conflicts are part of everyday life. Having contact information available for your caregiver will give them additional peace of mind.

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(Continued from page 6)

Will your caregiver be compensated for their services? While there are few among us who wouldn’t hesitate to help out another shepherd in a pinch without expecting to receive any payment for that assistance, the expecta- tions of a caregiver might be a little different—especially if the time needed to care for your flock and disperse it take weeks or even months to complete. This is a “conversation” that you and your caregiver need to have well in advance of their agreeing to serve as your flock’s caregiver. Which sheep are the “keepers” in your flock? Are there others that can/should be sent to a livestock auction for immediate dispersal? Keep in mind that while you don’t mind spending multiple hours a day feeding, watering and caring for your flock, your caregiver may not be able to spend as much time as you do. To the extent that you can identify sheep that are “keepers” ( i.e. because of their genetics ) from the non-keepers, al- lowing your caregiver to eliminate the non-keepers early on will reduce the amount of time the caregiver will need to spend caring for your flock.

Make it easy to identify the “keepers”. Do something to make the keepers in your flock readily identifiable— i.e. add another ( brightly-colored ) ear tag, as a fail-safe way to identify those sheep that should be kept. In addition, keep an updated list of Scrapie Tag numbers for the keepers in your flock. Make sure that your caregiver understands the difference between a Scrapie tag and any other tag used for your sheep.

Have a plan for disposing of the “keepers”. Make sure your caregiver has JSBA’s contact information so the association can send out an email to other Jacob breeders in your area to let them know of the need for a dispersal of your flock. Also keep a list of the names and telephone numbers of other Jacob breeders who you have a long-time relationship with—these individuals might be willing to purchase some of your “keepers”.

Make sure your caregiver knows how much to charge for each of your “keepers”. Develop a fair pricing strategy that will make it easy for your caregiver to follow. The idea here is to make sure that your caregiver doesn’t under- or over-value your “keepers”.

Where are your JSBA registration certificates? Will your caregiver have the legal authority to assign the certificates to a new owner?

Make sure that family members are aware of the dispersal plan that you have developed. It’s a good idea that the individual you have named in your Will as the Executor of your estate has knowledge of your flock dispersal plan and your designated caregiver.

Make multiple copies of your flock dispersal plan. Your caregiver needs to have a copy, it might also be a good idea to keep a copy with your Will and make sure that the Executor of your estate has a copy.

I don’t doubt that there are other items that should be included in a thoroughly-drafted dispersal plan. This document is a work in progress so please feel free to revise or add to it when developing your “own” plan.

If I have at least got you to think about developing a dispersal plan for your flock, then I have succeeded in authoring this article.

Volunteer Needed… JSBA is looking to fill this vacancy: Bylaws Committee - There’s an immediate opening for one individual on this ad-hoc committee that is chaired by Gary Anderson. The committee has completed the time-consuming task of review and revision of JSBA’s bylaws that were passed by the membership in the recent election. The workload going forward is expected to be light; nevertheless, membership on this committee will provide a good opportunity to serve our organization while at the same time learning more about how it works. Volunteers should email JSBA President Bob May ( [email protected] ) and advise him of their interest and qualifications. PAGE 8 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

Minutes of the JSBA Board of Directors Meeting March 15, 2020

Roll call and Determination of Quorum – Board members present: Karen Askounis, Kate Barrett, Ronnie Carnes, Carl Fredericks, Bob May, Kathryn Clay Morkunas, and Amanda St. Peter. Pam Piepergerdes, Business Manager, joined the meeting for the Treasurer’s and Business Office reports. Elizabeth Strub joined the meeting to discuss AGM 2020; and Membership Secretary Lorraine Nielsen joined the meeting to provide a membership report and discuss the JSBA Guide Book. Call to Order - the meeting was called to order by President Bob May at 6:02 PM EST. Approval of Meeting Minutes - The President noted that the minutes of the Board’s November 10, 2019 meeting were approved on by electronic vote on November 18, 2019 on a motion by Carl, seconded by Lorraine. Welcome new Board members : Amanda St. Peter (Region 3); Kathryn Morkunas (Region 4) Election of officers : Secretary – a motion to nominate Karen Askounis as Secretary was made by Bob May, seconded by Kate Barrett, and unanimously approved. President – a motion to nominate Bob May as President was made by Kate Barrett, seconded by Amanda St. Peter, and unanimously approved. V. President – a motion to nominate Kate Barrett as Vice President was made by Bob May, seconded by Karen Askounis, and unanimously approved. Treasurer - a motion to nominate Carl Fredericks as Treasurer was made by Bob May, seconded by Kate Barrett, and unanimously approved. AGM 2020 report: Elizabeth Strub presented an update on the AGM for 2020. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Comfort Inn in Morris Hills, NC which is about 6 miles from the fairgrounds, the best rate available there is $167 for a double room. There will also be camping available at the fairgrounds as well as cabin and Airbnb rentals available. Elizabeth encouraged early reservation of accommodations since the area is a popular vacation area and rooms fill quickly. She encouraged regional directors to contact members in their regions and encourage them to start plan- ning now for lodging. A member of the Livestock Conservancy was contacted to speak but has not committed yet. A new Jacob breeder who is also a veteran was contacted to speak at the meeting as well. Elizabeth also plans for a sheep show and possibly a fleece show during the AGM. She requested suggestions for JSBA members who might be willing to judge these events. Ronnie offered to contact Tammy at SAFF for judge suggestions. Elizabeth plans to schedule 45 – 60 minutes for the JSBA annual meeting which was determined to be adequate time for the meeting. Payment for the fairgrounds will be due at the end of the event because a utility use fee will need to be assessed in addition to the rental fee of $250. Ronnie Carnes has visited the site and offered that there will be enough pens available but members will need to assemble them. Ronnie offered to assist with assembly and additional members can be recruited closer to the event. Elizabeth suggested she will contact the FFA group at the local High School who may be able to assist with set up. The fairgrounds requires a one million dollar liability policy, the fairground official suggested contacting the local Farm Bureau, Pam Piepergerdes also suggested contacting the State Fair Board. Bob May agreed to obtain the necessary insurance when Elizabeth provides the contact information. A source for hay and straw has not been determined yet. Elizabeth plans to contact the local feed store as well as checking with the Fairgrounds for options. She will need to arrange for transport to the fairgrounds as she will not be able to do herself. Elizabeth is coordinating the AGM raffle and logo sales for the meeting as well. She plans to have the inspectors present information on the new fact sheets and is hopeful the fact sheet on horns will be ready for presentation at the AGM. Inspectors will be present to perform on-site inspections. Treasurer’s Report - Pam Piepergerdes, JSBA Business Manager presented the end-of-year financial report for 2019. She also presented the proposed 2020 budget and the financial report for January and February of 2020. She noted that it is difficult to accurately predict membership renewal fees for 2020 because many members renew at the end of the previous year. We also had 14 members who became lifetime members since they have paid annual dues for at least 20 years. The fees for producing the guidebooks and postage fees have increased. Pam noted that the inspectors do not consistently present bills for postage to the Business Office and she encourages them to present the bills rather than absorbing the cost themselves. (Continued on page 9) PAGE 9 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2 (Continued from page 8 Carl Fredericks commented on the financial reports and the 2020 budget. He feels that the financial state of JSBA is stable and remains in good order. Kate Barrett made a motion to approve the 2019 Year End Financial Statement, seconded by Carl Fredericks, and unanimously approved. Kate Barrett made a motion to approve the Financial Statement for January and February 2020, seconded by Ronnie Carnes, and unanimously approved. Kate Barrett made a motion to approve the 2020 Budget, seconded by Amanda St. Peter, and unanimously approved. Linda Bjarkman requested clarification regarding two payment issues associated with registrations. Pam Piepergerdes clarified the concerns for the board. In one incident a member sent $5 in cash to cover $4 for ownership transfers. We would incur additional fees to return the overpayment. Linda also noted that she occasionally receives a ‘prepayment’ for registrations to be sent in the future. This makes accounting more difficult to keep track. After discussion by the Board, Amanda made a motion to adopt a policy that any monies submitted in excess of the fees due will be considered a donation to JSBA and no refunds to the member will be made. The motion was seconded by Kathryn, and unanimously approved. Bob stated an article regarding the new policy will be placed in the next newsletter. Pam will contact the webmaster to add this information on the registration forms. Committee Reports: Business Office Report – All Business Office discussion occurred during the Financial Report Membership Secretary/Guidebook Editor – Lorraine reported that a few additional members have joined or renewed since she completed her report. We currently have 30 lifetime members, 14 of which became lifetime members since we offered the conversion to members with 20+ years of membership. Of the 17 new members 3 have requested the PDF version of the guidebook so far. Lorraine provided a PDF of the current guidebook to all board members. She was able to include the revised by laws in the guide book. She stated that she sends a welcome packet to new members along with a guidebook. Amanda requested clarification if regional directors should contact region members who have not renewed. The members are reminded in two consecutive newsletters. Lorraine also sends an email to remind members to pay dues. Pam contacts them if they have website ads but have not renewed. Lorraine provides information to regional directors when there is a new member in their region. New members seem to appreciate contact from the regional director to welcome them and offer assistance if they have questions. Regional directors are not expected to remind members to renew their membership. Registrar Report – Linda Bjarkman submitted an email regarding the payment issues discussed during the Treas- urer’s Report. Registry Liaison Report - Gary Anderson reported that the fact sheets regarding "freckling" and "appendix certified" have been completed. Bob indicated that both fact sheets were emailed to all board members with their meeting mate- rials. Unfinished Business: AGM 2020 – Discussion about AGM 2020 with Elizabeth Strub occurred prior to the Treasurer’s Report. Online Raffle Webmaster – The new AGM Raffle Master is Sarah Karr. She is working with Elizabeth to coordinate the raffle and AGM. New Business: Review of Regional Divisions: Bob presented that the regional divisions have not been reviewed for some time and suggested the formation of a committee to gather information of membership density in the various regions to determine if changes in the regions would more accurately represent the membership demographics. Bob suggested working with Lorraine to obtain a list of members by state. Kate, Amanda and Ronnie volunteered to work on this project. Request for funding: Request for funding of JSBA-sponsored booth at Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival ($125) September 12 & 13, 2020. The booth has JSBA logo items, member items for sale, a display about Jacob Sheep and there is Jacob breed show. A motion to approve funding was made by Karen, seconded by Kate, and unanimously approved. (Continued on page 10) PAGE 10 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

(Continued from page 9) Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2021: Bob reported that the Jacob Breed will be the featured breed at the 2021 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Recognition of Royal Unzicker who has been a frequent attendee and has worked to get the Jacob breed recognized at the Maryland Festival. The next meeting was scheduled for June 7, 2020 The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 pm on a motion by Karen, seconded by Carl and approved by the Board.

JSBA Financial Statement - January 1 through December 31, 2019

Statement Prepared by Pam Piepergerdes, Business Office Manager PAGE 11 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

JSBA 2020 Budget and Financial Statement January 1 through February 29, 2020

Statement Prepared by Pam Piepergerdes, Business Office Manager PAGE 12 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2 Ram Management 101 By Karen Lobb, bide a wee farm, Newberg, OR Rams can be charming. They can also be a royal pain. Below are answers to some of the most common questions asked when rams are NOT being charming… How do you prevent a ram from being aggressive toward you?

Your best bet is to start early when he’s a lamb. No matter how cute he is, resist the urge to pet him and don’t feed him grain from your hand or from a bucket you’re holding. Be particularly careful with a bottle-fed ram. Often the best course of action with a bottle-fed ram lamb is to neuter him young. That allows you to get him as tame as you want without the risk of having him turn aggressive as he matures. As rams get older, don’t pet or scratch them on the head, horns, or face. If you feel compelled to pet a mature ram do it under the chin so that he won’t be able to lower his head on you. Even the most docile ram has the potential to be dangerous so always be sure you know where your ram is when you’re in the pasture with him. Bottom line, a ram that respects you and doesn’t prefer to be near you is unlikely to be aggressive toward you. How do you stop rams from head butting each other, you, the fence posts, your barn, etc.?

In an article in the June 1996 issue of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association’s newsletter, Ingrid Painter of Puddle- duck Farm reported that she’d had success with using a visor (made for humans) on butting rams to prevent fighting injuries. Ram ‘Ross’ was relentlessly battering a younger ram, so Ingrid put a visor on Ross. The visor (with the back strap behind the horns) was placed so the ram could see only downward. Ingrid reported that the visor could be re- moved after a few days and the rams were usually old buddies by then. Another option is a ’ram shield’, which fits over a ram’s face. The shield allows the ram to see to the side and he can still eat, graze, breed and drink but it blocks his forward vision which prevents him from being able to charge. Ram shields come in large and small, horned and polled versions and are sold by Premier for about $20 each. Because Jacob rams are smaller then most commercial breeds, the shields may need to be trimmed down to work correctly. Find them at: www.premier1supplies.com ~or~ (800) 282-6631. Lone rams are often quite destructive due to boredom and/or loneliness. Sheep are flock animals and are happiest when housed with other sheep or animals of a similar species. A wether (neutered male), preferably with a great fleece so he’s producing something useful, makes a great companion for a lone ram. Once neutered, wethers generally lose the urge fight and will tend to run from the ram rather then stand and fight. How do you introduce new rams, or reintroduce rams after breeding or shearing?

We’ve found a method which works well for us. We pen the rams up as tightly as possible in the corner of a stall or paddock. Basically we only give them enough room to stand up and lie down. The rams will push on each other and try to assert dominance, but since they can’t back up and charge, it’s difficult for them to hurt each other. After about 24 hours, if they seem to have quit pushing and shoving, we’ll let them have a bit more room. If they start fighting again we’ll pen them back up tightly again. Once we’re fairly certain they’ve all agreed on who is boss we’ll turn them out. Other ideas we’ve heard… •After penning them up, spray their tails and noses with stinky perfume so they’ll all smell the same (our rams prefer a rose scent :-) •Put old tires on the floor of the stall or paddock you have them penned in so they’ll have a hard time charging each other. •If you’re driving to pick up a new ram, consider taking his future pasture mate along. For the ride home, pen them together snugly but safely in the trailer or stock rack then hit the road immediately. The motion of moving vehicle will make it hard for them to fight. After riding together for several hours they’ll be pretty familiar with each other, making them less likely to want to fight when they arrive home. PAGE 13 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

SAVE THE DATE… AGM 2020 IN THE BLUE RIDGE...

July 31st-August 2nd at the MADISON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, MARSHALL, NC

For AIR TRAVEL to the Asheville area there are several options: •Asheville Regional Airport ( flyavl.com ) - American Airlines, Delta, United and Allegiant offers seasonal flights that may only go two days a week. •Charlotte International Airport (2 hour drive) •Greenville Spartanburg International Airport (1 hour drive) •Knoxville, TN - McGhee Tyson Airport - (2 hour drive)

LODGING: •Comfort Inn, Mars Hill, NC - www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/mars-hill/comfort-inn-hotels/ (828) 689-9000 I have a block of rooms reserved - $167.20 per room/2 people, small additional cost per additional person unless children, fridge, microwave, pet friendly, breakfast, this is a small hotel, 56 updated rooms, 9 miles from the fairgrounds. •Farmside Village - http://farmsidevillagenc.com - 6.5 miles from the fairgrounds. They still have 3 cabins available, the 4th is already rented by JSBA members. •Laurel Mountain Retreat - https://laurelmtnrt.com/ - 5 small new log cabins, about 6 miles from the fairgrounds. Rent through their website or Airbnb, great reviews. Dog friendly. •Airbnb*: www.airbnb.com/rooms/26028463 - owned by Hillary - sleeps 2, just down the road from me. www.airbnb.com/rooms/19997836 - Potter’s Place - 2bdr, 2ba, also located on my road . *Note: if looking for other Airbnb and vrbo housing be sure to ask how close they are to 25/70, Madison County Fairgrounds, Mars Hill, or Weaverville. You could end up almost in TN and still be looking at a place in Madison County or Mars Hill.

PLEASE NOTE: A complete AGM registration packet is included as a separate attachment with this issue. In addition, be sure to watch the JSBA website and Facebook page for updates. Specific questions can be directed to AGM host, Elizabeth Strub at [email protected] .

Welcome New Members!

Travis & Brittany Asher Nicole & Robert Goetz Jamie Levy Randy Sparks Vineyard Valley Frontière Levy’s Flock Sparks Urbana, MO Marshall, MI Granville, TN Valley Springs, CA [email protected] frontierefarmhouse jamie.levy @gmail.com [email protected] @gmail.com Tabitha & Peter Cole Kate Lungmus Michele Starodub Bellwether Farm Gregory & Birdhouse Farm Patriot Voorheesville, NY Kimberly Franks Elgin, OK Cunningham, TN [email protected] ASA eklung05 @gmail.com pafarm3 @icloud.com New Market, AL Linda Donohue [email protected] / Conrad Schmucker Ronnie & Joanne Vance Tucker-Rose [email protected] Lakeshore Vance Farm Neshanic Station, NJ Custer, MI Seneca Rocks, WV John & Sharon Hoban [email protected] mybiscuitsandgravy [email protected] Hoban’s @gmail.com Armuchee, GA Claudia Diana Wolfram Clear Creeks treybo1133 @comcast.net Springboro, OH

[email protected] PAGE 14 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

Jacob Craft Corner Send info on your latest Jacob sheep related craft project ...

From Sarah Brandauer, Happy-Nest Farms, Ruth, CA I'm super excited about this hat my mom made for me from Marigold and Pudding's wool. She even felted Marigold's head on it! Thank you Mama!! Marigold's wool on the outside (Lilac Jacob) and Pud- ding's on the inside (white Merino).

From Pam Piepergerdes, Belleridge Farm, Excelsior Springs, MO This a shawl I made for my daughter on my Nilus LeClerc 4 harness floor loom. The pattern came from Handwoven magazine. It’s made from wool grown by our sheep and spun into yarn by two different mills. The dark yarn was produced at Yampa Valley Fiberworks (CO) and the light at HLA Fiber Mill (KS). The lighter wool is actually from our lilac ram, Liam, and when blended, it looks like a yummy oatmeal color. PAGE 15 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

JACOB YARN KNITTING PROJECT CHALLENGE: Below is a clever headband pattern written by Lorraine Nielsen, Four Winds, Crescent Mills, CA. Lorraine reports that the pattern uses less than 100 yards of yarn, is quick to make, and is especially nice this time of year when one often needs a little head warmth in the mornings, but not a full hat. Here’s the challenge - knit this headband using your hand or mill spun Jacob yarn, then send a picture of you wearing your headband to the editor (bidewee @aol.com) and it will appear it in the next issue. Meanwhile, I’m off to find and dust off some size nine needles...

Crossroads an over-the-ears headband crossing in front to give a wrapped look Yarn: 80 yards of handspun, 2-ply, sportweight or DK NeedlesNeedles: size 9 straight one 1” – 1 ½” button Gauge: 4.5sts & 6 rows = 1inch

Cast on 6 stitches. Knit entire headband using seed stitch (k1, p1across, next row knit the purl sts, purl the knit sts).

Increase in the middle of the piece by M2 (make two by lifting the yarn below the stitch, k1 and without taking the stitch off, p1)

Seed stitch for 3 rows

Increase every 6 th row, beginning with row 4: Rows 4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46, 52 (24 sts, 8.5”)

Divide workwork: seed stitch 12 stitches, put remaining sts on a holder.

Seed stitch the first 12 stitches for 36 rows (6”).

Cut tail to weave in later. Put these stitches on a holder.

Put 12 holder stitches on needle. Start yarn from the middle, between the two 12-stitch pieces.

Seed stitch 36 rows, as for first 12 stitches.

Cross the two “paths” being careful not to twist. You should have 24 stitches on the needle.

Row 1: seed stitch across.

Begin decrease of 2 stitches every 6 rows, in the middlemiddle 4 stitches in seed stitch pattern: for knit stitches: sl2, k2tog; for purl stitches: p2tog.

Decrease rows 2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, *, 50 (12 stitches remaining)

(*Make buttonhole in row 46: bind off 2 middle stitches; in row 47 cast on 2 middle stitches)

Bind off (row 51). Work in ends. Sew button on end without buttonhole.

Wrap your ears in woolly warmth and elegance!

 2016 Lorraine Nielsen/Shear Bliss www.fourwindswool.com/[email protected] PAGE 16 VOLUME 32, I SSUE 2

THE F OLD — M EMBER B USINESS C ARDS See your business card ad here! Contact the Editor, info on page 2.

CALIFORNIA : MICHIGAN :

Sweetgrass Farm Registered Jacob Sheep and Wool • Since 1987 Joe Bohr & Peg Bostwick 7521 S. Forest Hill Rd. St. Johns, Michigan 48879 517-388-2214 [email protected]

ILLINOIS :

MISSOURI :

Newsletter Advertising Rates: Display Ads are featured throughout the newsletter…. Business Card ads appear in “The Fold” pages 20 & 21. Display Ads : Business Card Ads: Full page, $50

$40 for 4 Issues. Half Page, $30 Business card Contact the Newsletter Editor - Contact info on page 2. Quarter Page, $25 ads continued on Next page… PAGE 17 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2 NEBRASKA : OREGON : bide a wee farm

Registered Jacob & Navajo-Churro Sheep

Karen Lobb & Doug Montgomery 19562 NE Calkins Lane Newberg, OR 97132 Phone: 503-538-7987 [email protected] www.bideaweefarm.com www.facebook.com/bideaweefarm

NEW J ERSEY :

Swayze Inn Farm

Dedicated to Preserving the Jacob

Bob & Diane May 1199 Route 519 Hope, NJ 07844

908-459-5395 www.SwayzeInnFarm.com

PENNSYLVANIA :

WISCONSIN :

COLD V ALLEY F ARM JACOB S HEEP Carl Fredericks & Becky Rehl Registered breeding stock Fleece • Roving • Yarn • Freezer Lamb • Pelts

Mount Horeb, WI [email protected] JSBA on Facebook www.coldvalleyfarm.com (608) 437-4395

If you’re already on Facebook be sure to like See your business card ad here! and follow the JSBA Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/ Just $40 per year jacobsheepbreeders Contact the Editor for

Find late breaking JSBA news, photos, and in- more details (see p. 2) formation about Jacob sheep. See you there! PAGE 18 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL !

HELP SAVE THE PLANET AND REDUCE CLUTTER ! R EQUEST THAT FUTURE NEWSLETTERS ARRIVE BY E-MAIL INSTEAD OF BY MAIL . SEE PICTURES IN COLOR AND RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER FASTER .

EMAIL K AREN L OBB AT BIDEWEE @AOL .COM

Drawing by Mickey Ramirez, Broken O Fort Collins, CO PAGE 19 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

JACOB SHEEP SHOP Complete form and mail to: To benefit the JSBA - pictures of most items available via e-mail. *Assorted Colors, please contact Trish to see which colors are currently available, Trish Berger otherwise we will substitute if requested color is not available. 8349 Kobert Rd. Winters, CA 95694 ITEM PRICE [email protected] APPAREL T-Shirt* - Cotton-red, navy, royal blue, lime green, heather gray, or random: Adult (4 Horn Ram) - S, M, L, XL, XXL (XXL $16.00) $14.00 Child (Ewe w/Lambs) - S (2,3,4), M (6-8), L (8-10) $12.00 Long-sleeved T-Shirt - $17.00 Sweatshirt* - Heavyweight Cotton, blue, gray, red, tan: Adult - S, M, L, XL, XXL ( XXL $24.00 ) $22.00 Baseball Cap - Embroidered $12.00 Apron - Natural $14.00 Apron - Green, or Blue $17.00

Tote Bag $12.00-$15.00 Bumper Sticker—No Kidding, We’re Sheep $ 2.50

ITEM QUANTITY SIZE COLOR (if applicable) PRICE (EA) TOTAL $ $ $ $

$ Ship To: SUBTOTAL $ SHIPPING (email for cost) $

TOTAL $ Phone: JSBA Newsletter Editor Karen Lobb 19562 N.E. Calkins Lane, Newberg, OR 97132

JACOB S HEEP B REEDERS A SSOC . The Jacob Sheep Breeders Association (JSBA) exists to engage in the education, research, conservation, and advancement of public

awareness of the Jacob breed of sheep… to develop a breed

standard… and to certify and register those individual sheep which qualify as Jacob, and to help educate and develop those skills

The JSBA Newsletter’s purpose is to provide required to enhance the abilities of members to raise and tend information, education, and communication. It is published quarterly. Subscription is free their flocks. with membership, however, non-members must pay $10 annually for subscription. Annual Membership: $30 Life Membership: $50 Annually for 10 consecutive Newsletter Advertising Rates Business Card Ads - $40 for 4 Issues years, or $500 One Time Display Ads –Full Page, $50 Annual Junior Membership: $10 (15 and under) Half Page, $30 Quarter Page, $25 Please send membership dues to:

Contact Karen Lobb at [email protected] Lorraine Nielsen JSBA Membership Secretary V ISIT US ON THE W EB ! PO Box 4 WWW . JSBA . ORG Crescent Mills, CA 95934 Note: please make check payable to ‘ JSBA’ OFFICIAL P UBLICATION OF Dues must be paid before registrations, flock prefixes, THE J ACOB S HEEP B REEDERS ASSOCIATION and transfers can be processed. Thank you!