Sheep Industry News January 2025

“I was very surprised to hear that I would be receiving this award,” said Miller, who now calls Oklahoma home. “I’ve always worked a bit outside of the American sheep and goat industry as one of the last small ruminant parasitologists in the United States. But it was always my goal to help improve those industries with my research.” DISTINGUISHED PRODUCER New York’s Keith Stumbo has been involved with sheep for most of his life. Add that to his countless volunteer efforts within the industry, and he was an easy choice for the Distinguished Producer Award. Stumbo served on both of ASI’s Wool and Lamb Councils at various times during his tenure on the ASI Executive Board. About two decades ago he accepted what appears to be a lifetime appointment as president of the Empire Sheep Producers Associa tion – ASI’s affiliate in New York State. “I picked it up from another guy who aged out, and I’ve been there ever since,” Stumbo said. “But we’ve got a younger guy now who is vice president, so I might get to retire from that job in the next few years.” Stumbo raised sheep as a kid, took a break in early adulthood and then found his way back to the industry when he and Kathy's daughters were old enough to get into showing sheep. Getting back into the industry allowed Keith another opportunity to get

involved – something he’s always

done, wheth er it was local boards and committees or national groups such as ASI.

And while he was busy traveling with a full-time sales job and his volunteer duties, Kathy kept things running at home. “She was the head shepherd and the one who had to do a lot of the work around the place,” Stumbo said. SHEPHERD’S VOICE AWARD As editor of Ohio’s Country Journal , Matt Reese has been a sup porter of the sheep industry in the Buckeye state and surrounding areas. Just as importantly, he’s a member of the industry. He and his family live on a small farm in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they raise sheep, rabbits and chickens. In addition, Reese’s staff regularly produces the Charles Boyles Master Shepherd Award video for the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, which nominated him for this award for his “educa tion and promotion of the sheep, lamb and wool industry.”

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January 2025 • Sheep Industry News • 11