meet your board of directors
consider running for a director position. Now I’m in my second term and have never regretted being on the board with 11 other directors, a secretary and treasurer who are also passionate about the success of the Suffolk breed and the USSA. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BENEFITS A USSA OR UJSSA MEMBER RECEIVES? Networking with other individuals who have similar interests and goals. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Seek someone to serve as a mentor. If you are lucky enough to have an experienced breeder nearby, reach out to them for advice. Having that resource may make the difference between success or failure. If you don’t have anyone nearby, phone conversations can be invaluable. WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS OF GROWTH FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED OR THE USSA ORGANIZATION? Decisions based on data! Digital Suffolk can provide you with so many tools that will help make your program successful. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD? Individuals have varying definitions of success. Success for some may be in the show ring while others may be production efficiency. What’s important is that you continually strive to achieve your individual goals! WHAT OTHER SHEEP RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED WITH? Illinois Suffolk Breeders Association ISAAC SWORTZEL, GREENVILLE, VIRGINIA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? Born and raised into a Suffolk flock. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER ON THE USSA BOARD? I thought I could bring more of a production- oriented view. Also, my lamb and sheep market on the East Coast differs greatly from other markets around the country. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BENEFITS A USSA OR UJSSA MEMBER RECEIVES? Connection with other producers who may have similar problems, opportunities, solutions as you. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Try to connect with members in your region, and
they can help you connect with others farther away that may have stock you are interested in. WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS OF GROWTH FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED OR THE USSA ORGANIZATION? Definitely as a producer of rams for commercial flocks. Specifically rams to put on hair sheep flocks to upgrade their lambs carcass quality. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD? That while at times we can have large disagreements over small issues, we seem to have small disagreements over larger issues. That as a board we are generally all aware of and in favor of promoting productive functional sheep to fit our respective markets across the country. WHAT OTHER SHEEP RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED WITH? Virginia Sheep Producers Association. BILL ZWYERS, THORNTOWN, INDIANA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? My first recollection was in the early 1960s when a family at our county fair showed the new breed few had seen before. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER ON THE USSA BOARD? I wanted to be a proactive breeder and do my part in promoting and helping move Suffolk sheep in a positive direction. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BENEFITS A USSA OR UJSSA MEMBER RECEIVES? The best benefits are the resources, opportunities and mentorship offered to members by a staff and registry dedicated to member success. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Understand your long and short term goals clearly and acquire the best genetics that you can to reach them. WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS OF GROWTH FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED OR THE USSA ORGANIZATION? I see increased interest in Suffolk genetics beyond the show ring in a larger commercial application. Superior Suffolk rams will improve the progeny in all flocks across the country regardless of breed. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD? As a board member I’ve come to realize first hand
just how many loyal, dedicated and hard working Suffolk oriented people there are out there that want to see us all improve and succeed with our sheep. WHAT OTHER SHEEP RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED WITH? I have served on the Board of the Indiana Sheep Association. I currently serve on the Board of the Indiana Sheep and Wool Council.
Dennis & Mary Ann SORENSEN 1291 EAST 3200 NORTH ROAD CHEBANESE, ILLINOIS 60922 815.450.8722 DSORENSEN354@GMAIL.COM
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