American Teeswater Association Board of Directors President/District 4: Laurie Ball-Gisch Newsletter Fall 2017 Vice President/District 3: Andy Fulks Registrar/Member at Large: Heather Carter Secretary/District 1: Staci Holtby District 2: Linda Gilkey

Treasurer: Gale Johnson

Presidents Address Laurie Ball-Gisch

Here in Michigan as I write this, we are blessed with beautiful autumn weather. With warm temperatures and rain, the grasses are rejuvenated and so the sheep can graze fields longer, delaying the need to put hay out. It is the time of year when we need to make decisions regarding the flock. What lambs stand out as excellent examples of our Teeswater breed? Do we know the standard for our breed? Which lambs showed great vigor and health in spite of the pressures of summer heat and parasite pressure? Which lambs exhibit the traits we ourselves value in the animals that we keep? Those sheep that fall below our own standards for our flock, should not be sold as registered breeding stock. If they are, it will not only weaken our reputation as responsible breeders, but will also weaken the reputation of the breed as a whole. If somebody purchases stock from us that show failure to thrive, failure to adapt, and failure to produce, then our breed is given a bad reputation. This should not be so! We need to put out the best representatives of our breed for others to be successful with the they purchase. This is a critical component to preservation of the breed. Are we facing challenges with moving our breed forward? Yes, because it is a rare breed, and because we face a lack of new genetics due to political decisions out of our control. What we do have control over are the animals on our own farms. We have an organization, the ATSA, that is devoted to preserving and promoting this beautiful breed of sheep. How involved have you been with the association? We have the option to choose to be proactive, cooperative breeders or to be apathetic, competitive grumblers. Genetic issues can be overcome amongst dedicated breeders who choose to cooperate rather than compete with each other. Phil Sponenberg has written a book called “Managing Breeds for a Secure Future” that has practical genetic and breeding strategies, and I would encourage all of us to read and study this book.

Presidents Address Continued Laurie Ball-Gisch

Some of our biggest hurdles include the fact that we are often so far away from each other, that we do not have the chance to form a trusting relationship which is more easily formed face-to-face. Yes, transporting animals back and forth involves research, time and money, but it is all do-able if we are committed to preserving the breed. I would encourage all of us to ask ourselves some hard questions such as: 1) how much time and effort am I willing to put into moving the Teeswater breed forward into the future? 2) am I willing to reach out to form relationships with fellow breeders so that our combined genetics can benefit each of our farms? 3) am I will to trade breeding stock with fellow breeders to advance our genetic base? 4) am I willing to participate in the conference call meetings our Board is conducting? (All members are invited to listen in and give the Board their input); 5) am I willing to use my own personal talents and time to work on projects with the Board that will promote the breed? 6) am I willing to look at my flock objectively, rather than emotionally, so that my choices of breeding stock are strong, healthy and productive examples of the breed that drew me to raising Teeswater sheep in the first place? These are questions I am asking myself as well and I pray that together we can all find a place of peace within ourselves when it comes to raising our Teeswater sheep.

Board of Directors Current Business

Welcome The Board would like to extend a “Warm Welcome” to our newest members: Sandra Waddell Carol Rochester Floya Hawkins Veronica Worthington

Website The association is getting a new and upgraded website. We plan to have the “face page” up by the annual membership meeting. Please contact your district representative if you have ideas or requests. If you have photos you would like to share for the web design please email them to either [email protected] or [email protected] Credit will be given to the owner.

New Policy To preserve the genetic integrity of animals granted purebred American Teeswater status the Board is instituting a policy for additional restrictions for all animals receiving a UK flock book number to be considered as a 100% Teeswater in the ATSA. Prior to entry into the ATSA Flock Book as a 100% Teeswater, animals must have 5 generations of unbroken ATSA “Registered” stock (excluding foundation & recorded categories), no colored parents, codon verification to satisfy bylaw guidelines, DNA parentage verification and photographs/video showing the animal(s) meet(s) the breed standard. This criteria must be presented to the ATSA Board of Directors for verification that the animal(s) submitted meet(s) the ATSA Breed and registry standards, prior to being given 100% Teeswater status in the ATSA Flock Book.

Proposed Bylaw Amendments 1) Currently the Board must annually approve the use of foundation rams for F1 crosses and the use of QR Rams in a given year for any breeding, including F1 crosses. With the continued lack of semen, the board is proposing that the bylaws be amended to automatically enact the use of these animals until 2027, at which time it can be re-evaluated.

2) The Board is proposing that the new policy listed above regarding progeny entered into the UK Flock Book become a permanent part of our Bylaws. Watch for you Ballot!

Membership

2017 Annual Membership Meeting Scheduled for Oct 16, 2017 Time: 4 pm Pacific Daylight Time, 5 pm Mountain Daylight Time, 6 pm Central Daylight Time, 7 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

The conference call can be accessed at: Dial (515) 739-1542 Access #: 314735 **Note: meetings will be recorded for transcription purposes

All members are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate!

Elections Seven Yes votes for Cheri Parker in District 4 (East Coast). Seven Yes votes for Linda Gilkey in District 2 (Midwest). The Board will vote on officer positions at the upcoming Annual Board Meeting (following the Annnual Membership Meeting). We would propose that Michigan, being a swing state, would remove itself from Distict 4 and rejoin District 3. We are excited to announce we have a winner in District 4! Welcome Cheri Parker!! Heather Carter is beginning her move to Alabama and will be joining Linda Gilkey as a representative for District 2!

District 1: West Coast (Green) Rep: Staci Holtby thru 2018 District 2: Midwest (Blue) Reps: Heather Carter thru 2018 & Linda Gilkey thru 2020 District 3: Lake region states (Red) Rep: Laurie Ball-Gisch thru 2019 District 4: East Coast (Purple) Rep: Cheri Parker thru 2020

The Board would like to Thank Andy Fulks for his time and service to the association!

Registrar Notes Heather Carter Email [email protected]

The Registrar has moved to Alabama… The most expedient way to obtain registration papers is to email papers to the registrar. You can send a check to the treasurer or submit payment via Paypal. The Scio address will still reach her until further notice! Preserving Teeswater Genetics and moving toward Purebred… The past year has resulted in some keen disappointments with regard to multiple attempts to get animals qualified for semen import from the UK. Between changes in the DEFRA / USDA APHIS protocols and animals failing testing protocols due to the endemic Schmallenberg’s virus, it seems unlikely that any semen will be available for several years. While several committed breeders continue to work to get viable animals collected it has brought several critical issues to the forefront for the Association. Specifically, the need to be extremely diligent in selecting and culling for appropriate type. While the Teeswater continues to enjoy unparalleled popularity in the hand spinning market, that same popularity is also resulting in a number of registered animals being diverted into unregistered fiber flocks and a large amount of fiber being promoted as Teeswater that doesn’t really have representative Teeswater type. It is an important part of the Associations mission to promote and protect the breed and educate members and consumers alike about what makes up a true Teeswater animal and fleece. While the myriad of fiber animals and crossbreds certainly have value, without careful and dedicated preservation, there will be no purebred population to go back to. To support these initiatives the Association is encouraging breeders to consider the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) to gather data and assist breeders in making ram selections. Additionally, the Association is exploring several alternatives to assist breeders in collecting and sharing genetics for outstanding ATSA registered rams to continue to refine US genetic pools. We encourage interested parties to contact their respective representatives as we work to preserve this breed and continue to improve animals until additional outcross genetics from the UK become available.

Rack Cards

Some breeders have expressed interest in updated ATSA rack cards.

We need a “mascot” for our cards…

We are calling for fabulous photos of your favorite Teeswater sheep, raw fiber, yarn etc.

Please submit photos that you would permit the association to use for rack cards and/or website development (of course we will give you credit). The board will vote on the winning photos! Email photos to [email protected]

Photos due by Jan 31, 2017.

(This is a SAMPLE rack card!)

2017 Board of Directors

President & District 4 Rep Secretary (Year 1, Term 1) (Year 2, Term 1) Laurie Ball-Gisch Staci Holtby Lavender Fleece Farm Estacada, OR Midland, Michigan Phone: (503) 630-3405 Phone (989) 832-4908 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

District 2 Rep Vice President & District 3 Rep (Year 1, Term 1) (Year 3, Term 1) Linda Gilkey Andy Fulks Rich Hill, Missouri Lebanon, Indiana Phone: (417) 395-4660 Phone: (317) 796-1863 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Treasurer: Registrar & Member at large Gale Johnson (Year 2, Term 1) Estacada, OR Heather Carter Phone: (503) 630-3405 Alabamba Email: [email protected] Phone: (541) 405-8372

Email: [email protected]

Newsletter Submissions: The newsletter editor(s) welcome submissions of articles, photos, write-ups on shows/events attended et cetera. Please contact us via [email protected] or [email protected]

**We are planning three newsletters per year until further notice.

APPENDIX A – Meeting Minutes

15 December 2016 ••• 20 August 2017

15 December 2016 APPROVED 8/20/2017 ATSA BOD Meeting Meeting called to order by Laurie Ball-Gisch Roll call: Laurie Ball-Gisch, Heather Carter, Linda Gilkey, Staci Holtby, Gale Johnson, Virginia Scholomiti, Dena Walker (Andy Fulks joined toward the last part of the meeting)

Old Business: Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes as they stand for the Annual Membership Meeting and the Annual BOD Meeting. Vote called – passed unanimously

Laurie opened the floor to discussion about the website. Ideas mentioned included a website that is responsive with all media platforms, a template based program and updating content. Currently our information is somewhat pieced together with hosting currently on Heather Carter’s personal hosting site. There is not an apache file system therefore, we can’t have member password protected section and separate email through Zoho to keep old email address. Currently our file sharing is through Google Docs. Apache runs $15-20/year for www.address and $5-9/h for hosting. Laurie suggested due to the cost layout of the Canadian Registry we nix that option. This was an option presented at the previous meeting. Heather Carter brought forward a site Hosted by Doug for the Cotswold sheep Assoc. Doug can host the site and the database. His database is Sequel. Heather Carter said Doug of gave her an estimate of $1000 for database setup. Staci Holtby asked if the BOD could have access to update the website. Heather commented that she would be the one to make changes to the site as it affects the registry. People can put data in and if the super moderator approves it, the data goes live. Virginia Scholomiti mentioned utilizing a hosting database that would be easy to update, such as Fat Cow and Blue Host. Virginia suggested the website be separate from the database for ease of updating in future. Fat Cow and Blue Host are both Sequel Databases. With exception of the pedigree database the rest of the site should be assessable to the BOD to update. Currently our website it non- user friendly and non-FTP Dena Walker: Offered to help. Her professional background is a computer science degree. Gales Johnson asked if Doug will do a story board based on our current website information. This would allow us to see what he would be offering prior to committing. Heather C. said Doug can change things around for us. Dena W. mentioned the story board goes into how we lay out our site Virginia S. mentioned it might be more cost effective to do a simple site. She posed the question of whether the searchable database could be a link from the site to the registry. Heather C indicated that would be possible. Virginia S. pointed out it would be less involved for updating member information etc. and it would be easier for the BOD to keep it updated. Heather mentioned Doug will handle all of it for us. Doug will allow for minor tweaks or we make the site and he does the add-in. Heather C presented another option. The ATSA could buy a specific software or web hosting site and Wizy Wig interface. Dena W. mentioned using a website that is maintained so that and the association does not have to worry about buying another upgrade each time there are software changes. Software outdates in about 6 months. Dena W. mentioned ease of use. Use a web-based host with upgrading function in the background so provider keeps the management current and available to us. Dena W. mentioned there are two ways to handle the work with Doug. Doug could put it in place and we maintain the site. Or Doug could maintain the pedigree database and the ATSA maintain the website. He could set up the website so we have a cohesive site Dena W. mentioned one person on the website (currently the registrar only) is a potential point of failure for the organization. Cross training and rotating so people learn and keep proficient will help the process in future. Another option is the association find a hosting platform with front page editor. The ATSA maintains it and multiple administrators are possible. Then pedigree database piece could be embedded into the website at any point. Storage of files was addressed. We could store the Access database in the file tree. More than 1 level of protection 1-2 full admins and read/write access. Are we committed to spending the database setup fee ~$1000? HC estimated webhosting at $150-200 per year. Heather wondered if anyone else want to be involved. Dena W. mentioned we might figure out best choice for functionality we are looking for. Dena W.: with regard to the searchable database most members will only be interested in what affects their flock. Virginia S. would like to see online forms, policies updated etc. The group came up with the following website wish list: Online Registrations Online Forms Pay dues on-line Facebook integration Out-reach/education Graphics Simple Easy to navigate Viewable on multiple platforms Members only area/ password protected

Virginia S. asked is we would continue the flock book? Heather C. noted that it is not in real time. There is a 1-2-year lag to get the prior year lamb pedigrees in the database and breeders have two years to register lambs. Dena W. mentioned the plus side to a physical copy is that data can vanish from the internet with updating secondary to the hosts management environment. A hard copy of the flock book is important. Heather mentioned her vision of the flock book to serve the membership with more than just the physical pedigrees. It could also incorporate write ups about more than pedigrees, for example: activities, people participating in events and things of interest. It would serve as a history of the organization. She would like to see the flock book expanded. It is not hard to run the report for the flock book. Laurie: can we create a query of the membership. Poll before we look at pricing and options. We are the clearing house of the info. These are tools for breeders. Association outreach to folks to promote our breed of sheep etc… Heather C would like to see new content on the website. For example, outreach, discussion about breed-up, what makes things tricky in upgrading Teeswaters in the USA, parasite resistance and patterns/pitfalls breeders are starting to see. Usually people go to a show and see a new cool sheep, which drives them to the website to find out more information. The ATSA website could be a way to help people frame questions as initial buyers. We can add new content. Staci H. will query the membership to try to elucidate what they would like to see. She will make sure there is a comment section to capture ideas. Heather C. will look at hosting options and bring prices back, including a pricing structure. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Staci Holtby ATSA Secretary

ATSA BOD Meeting Agenda August 20, 2017 4pm PST APPROVED 10/7/2017 Meeting called to order by 2016 President, Laurie Ball-Gisch Roll Call: Laurie Ball-Gisch, Heather Carter, Staci Holtby, Gale Johnson, Virginia Scholomiti, Linda Gilkey, Martin Dally Old Business • Unanimous approval of 15 December 2016 Meeting Minutes. • Vote tally on searchable database: Total of 3 votes (1 Yes vote, 2 No) o Heather Carter would like to see the searchable database moved forward as she continues to have requests for pedigree searches from individual members. o Virginia Scholomiti wonders if the association is considering a ram catalog or flock book? ▪ Heather Carter, Registrar publishes the flock book on a 2-year schedule. 2014 and 2015 are available on the ATSA website now. • Education bullet point for next newsletter. Laurie Ball-Gisch requested Heather write an article about inquiry issues and solicit input from members in lite of the current situation where there are not new genetics coming from the UK now. • Website. Hosting options: Blue Host, Squarespace, Wix. Heather Carter volunteered to prepare a report of host options and quotes for the next meeting. • Does the BOD want to entertain registrations back from the TSSNA, other than as foundation animals? o Currently ATSA accepts TSSNA registrations that can be traced back to ATSA registered stock (lines unbroken is a stipulation). If an animal cannot be traced back to ATSA stock it goes to the foundation category. o UK registered stock may or may not be subject to foundation restrictions o Do we want to open it up for stock to be registered not recorded animals from the TSSNA? This would entail a bylaw change. For reference the UK is accepting animals for inclusion that may or may not meet ATSA rules. TSSNA has same requirements as ATSA at this time. UK has opened up criteria. Concern regarding disregard for the pedigree. Discussion regarding the UK ewe of merit status vs an ATSA verification process that would include inspection of the pedigree to meet specific set criteria (i.e.: no color, percentage >X%, etc.). There are animals in the UK flock book now and this could affect the ATSA soon. Currently the ATSA bylaws state that entry into the UK flock book = 100% animal in the ATSA Registry. Does the ATSA want to tighten the bylaws with verification of UK Flock book entry AND ATSA registrar verification of X % Teeswater prior to making the animal 100%? Virginia Scholomiti offered the history that original the UK came forward and gave criteria and some breeders stepped up for inspection and other breeders looked at the criteria and said, ‘I don’t meet that criteria at this time’. UK allowed animals in the supplemental registry that did not meet original qualifications/criteria. 7 animals met the criteria. Any given ewe of merit in the UK flock book will have offspring that ATSA would be obligated to register at 100% under current rules. Virginia Scholomiti would like to see the ATSA work with the UK moving forward. Heather Carter made a motion to amend the bylaws. Staci Holtby seconded the motion. 4 yes votes (unanimous)

• Rack Cards (June 2016 Meeting) tabled 20 August 2017 • Livestock Conservancy update by Laurie Ball-Gisch. There are a couple of parameters we are unable to meet. American Teeswaters do not fit the Livestock Conservancy description of Heritage. (Heritage = True genetic breed when mated breeds true to type and has been in the USA since 1925.) Their other criteria for admittance is a US population that reciprocates to other world populations. Laurie Ball-Gisch requests this item be dismissed from the agenda in view of the above facts. Virginia Scholomiti updated the BOD that the Wensleydale submitted to the Livestock Conservancy. She pointed out that the Teeswaters in the UK Flock Book may make us eligible for consideration in the future.

New business: • Treasurers report by Gale Johnson Account balance as of the date of this meeting is $3,935. No expenditures since last report. • Secretary report by Staci Holtby o 2 New members o 12 Current members, 10 voting members o ATSA Newsletter status. Board agrees that 3 newsletters a year is sufficient until further need arises o 2 BOD positions coming vacant this fall ▪ Ballots will be mailed Sept 1, due back Oct 1 Email Dues reminder • Registrar report by Heather Carter o Since January 2017: 29 animals registered, 5 transfers o Flock Book 2014 & 2015 in website! ▪ Jan 2018 Heather will update to 2016. She can do a 1-year report if there is interest, it may not be complete as breeders have 2 years to register stock. o EPD programs NSIP. Heather will do a newsletter or Email Blast o Ewe of merit, elite inscription process o Black Sheep Gathering 2017 report by Heather Carter. Joy Dally & Heather Carter showed livestock. Joy Dally, Holly Partridge & Staci Holtby/Gale Johnson entered fleeces in the fleece show. Due to the lack of entries the fleece show was rolled into the larger fleece show. Heather has photos for the newsletter. ATSA may want to look at promoting fiber/fleece shows in other regions. This could mean a fiber display, breeders in attendance to answer questions of viewers, purchasing ATSA ribbons, setting aside a $$ amount to go toward the judge. • Annual foundation ram exemption & QR ram exemption for 2018 o The Fall 2017/2018 UPGRADING GUIDELINES FOR QR Ram exemption were reviewed, motion made & seconded to accept the guideline. Vote passed unanimously. • The Fall 2017/2018 UPGRADING GUIDELINES FOR FOUNDATION Ram exemption was reviewed, motion made and seconded to accept the guidelines. Does the BOD want to look at allowing foundation rams and QR rams to the bylaws? Foundation ram for F1 guideline. Vote passed unanimously to move this item forward to a membership vote. • Virginia Scholomiti reported ideas to move forward with some sort of ads and/or articles to promote our fiber. She is working on joint advertisement to promote and highlight the breeds. Several members have expressed interest. She would like to see ATSA articles and coordinate and submit on why we have different breeds and why registered stock is important to the fiber consumer. Fiber breeders are cropping up and selling fiber, but it is hybrid in nature. Focus on registered animals and implications to breed improvement. o Newletter articles to discuss the value of breeds and REGISTERED stock o • Martin Dally o Shepherds Lane sale of ram issue not resolved from prior BOD. Expressed that he felt the association never tried to address the issue. Twice he spoke w/ current BOD member and was promised the issue would be brought forward and it has not until this date. o Martin enlightened the BOD that his copywrited photos have been used by the association without his permission. At the time of this meeting those photos are yet in use. He feels compensation is due for the use of photos without permission. o Martin expressed disappointments in the handling of the BSG show. He offered constructive feedback. A national wool show should have a steward to help the judges. Ribbons by the association. The teeswaters were combined with other classes due to lack of participation (3 members). The association could help pay for the judge and be more proactive in preparing shows, with banners and booths manned by stewards of the association. o Martin expressed concern for the future of this breed as semen is very difficult to import with the given USDA protocol. Martin submitted 3 rams for testing and S McFarland submitted 3 rams for testing. ALL rams failed the protocol. He feels the future of the breed in the USA is precarious is breeders are not diligent to break up their inbreeding co-efficient. (i.e.: use of accepted long wool breeds to breed up and introduce new genetics into the pool)

Annual Membership & BOD meeting October Meeting Adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Staci R Holtby ATSA Secretary