meet your Junior Board Grandin Lewis ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP?
Lily Roe ST. ANSGAR, IOWA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? We had Suffolks when I was very young that we ended up selling. In 2023, I won the Suffolk ewe lamb giveaway and added Suffolks back into my flock. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES RELATED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? My fondest memories with my Suffolk sheep included getting the opportunity to show them at the All-American Junior Show in 2024. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE UJSSA BOARD? I wanted to serve on the UJSSA board because I have a strong passion for Suffolk sheep and wanted to help advocate for this amazing breed and have the opportunity to work with other young individuals that share the same passion. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH A NEW JUNIOR MEMBER? Take advantage of any mentoring opportunities you are given, and don’t be scared to ask other breeders or showmen for advice! OUTSIDE OF SUFFOLK SHEEP, WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? Outside of Suffolk sheep, I am an active FFA member and serve as my chapter’s 2024-2025 Secretary. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHEEP “JOB”? My favorite sheep job is working with my show lambs in the summer and getting them show ring ready! WHAT IS ONE THING SOMEONE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? That I have only been showing sheep for four years! IF YOU COULD INVENT SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE OR DO? I would want to invent a water bucket that was indestructible, so you’d never have to worry about it cracking, especially during a harsh Iowa winter! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHEEP “JOB”? Being able to wash them and get them show-ready at a show. WHAT IS ONE THING SOMEONE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I tore my ACL in May, had surgery in June, and then a week later I was in the show ring at the All-American showing sheep. IF YOU COULD INVENT SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE OR DO? If could invent something it would be an automated sheep shearing robot. A robot that can shear sheep efficiently and safely. This would reduce the need for manual labor and help ensure the process is stress-free for animals, improving overall welfare.
Suffolk sheep have always been around, but I started when dad and I went to the Petersburg sale and bought a ewe I later named Gem from Martin and Chris Auville. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES RELATED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? My fondest memory was my first champion, which was at the Virginia State Fair. But I enjoy meeting new Suffolk people and making friends and connections. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE UJSSA BOARD? I wanted to serve on the board because I wanted our breed to grow. Close to home, there are a lot of people who raise crossbreds, and I wanted them to understand the true value of the Suffolk sheep. The breed means a lot to me, and I wanted to get further involved and inspire kids to show Suffolks all around my region and the country. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH A NEW JUNIOR MEMBER? If I could give advice to a new member, I would tell them to take every show as if it’s brand new to you. Enjoy your time, and make a relationship with your animal. I tried to rush everything, and I just couldn’t wait to start breeding my very own sheep and I missed out on the enjoyment of the fairs and being around other kids. OUTSIDE OF SUFFOLK SHEEP, WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I am heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. I am currently serving as the Sentinel of my FFA chapter and hope to be the president of my chapter this coming year. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHEEP “JOB”? My favorite sheep job is walking and brace training. Seeing my work pay off in these sheep really makes me happy inside. It shows that every minute you put in matters, and you create an amazing relationship with these animals. WHAT IS ONE THING SOMEONE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am an extremely shy person, and I struggle with anxiety. The sheep have helped me overcome that because they never judge. When you meet me, I am a very bright and vibrant person but, on the inside, I struggle with anxiety. Being a UJSSA officer has helped me get out of my shell, and I am thankful for this organization. IF YOU COULD INVENT SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE OR DO? I would invent my very own farm robot. Feeding, watering, walking, and training all take a lot of time. It would be much easier if I had a robot that could do it for me. For now, automatic waterers and feeders do exist along with a carousel walker but they aren’t the same as a human doing those jobs. My sister wanted to start showing sheep when she was younger, so we contacted Mike O’Neill and Bill. Ever since then, we have stuck with Suffolks. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES RELATED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? Winning showmanship at the Illinois Suffolk Event the first year we attended. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE UJSSA BOARD? I was interested in the UJSSA board because I had some friends on the board and wanted to be a part of it with them but also because being a mentor to younger showmen has always been what I’ve wanted to do. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH A NEW JUNIOR MEMBER? Always keep your head up and don’t let one little mistake keep you from enjoying the rest of the show. OUTSIDE OF SUFFOLK SHEEP, WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I am involved in FFA, 4-H, volleyball, basketball, softball, youth group, coach kids, and Friends for Life. Emily Long FRANKFORT, INDIANA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP?
JUNIOR SUFFOLK BREEDERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE UJSSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT SUFFOLKS.ORG AND APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MAY 1. Join the Junior Board!
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