DENVER — With the national sheep industry convention just around the corner, the American Sheep Industry Association wants to remind young and beginning sheep producers that once again scholarships are available to help offset the cost of registration. From the Hill Country to Capitol Hill, the annual meeting of ASI will be held Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. ASI Young Entrepreneur Committee Chairman Burdell Johnson said this convention offers unparalleled opportunities for everyone in the sheep industry, including new producers.
“The ASI Annual Convention provides a forum where every facet of American sheep and wool production come together,” said Johnson. “From sheep industry researchers to congressional leaders, I have always taken something away from convention that helps me improve my operation. While we understand that the cost of attending any convention is a challenge for young and first-time attendees, the information and networking opportunities are tremendously important for those just starting out in our industry.”
To help bring those individuals together and engage them in the convention, ASI started the Young Entrepreneur program more than three years ago. Through this program, ASI is offering a $200 scholarship toward a single registration and $300 toward a couple’s registration to assist qualifying first-time convention attendees that might not otherwise be able to attend.
“The ASI convention has always been the place where not only sheep producers, but lamb feeders, the American Lamb Board, and the entire wool industry gather to trade production and marketing information,” Johnson said. “Producers discuss better sheep production methods, ways to trim expenses and more efficient marketing, so the contacts alone are worth the trip to convention. Leaders in lamb and wool purchasing and processing share forecasts for 2018 and economists look at the sheep business world-wide and how it relates to American prices. This is where leaders from across the country chart the industry’s future.”
Scholarships are limited, and early registration ends Jan. 9, 2018. To find out more about this program or apply for a scholarship, contact Chase Adams (chase@sheepusa.org). Full details including registration, lodging, agendas and tour information can be found online at www.SheepUSA.org.
ASI is an equal opportunity employer. It is the national trade organization supported by 45 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 88,000 sheep producers.
–American Sheep Industry Association
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