2004 Convention: American Lamb Board News

Mar/Apr 2004 --

Matching Grant Proposals Totaling $35,824.06 Approved by American Lamb Board

The American Lamb Board (ALB) at its January 2004 Annual Board Meeting in Sacramento approved seven matching grant proposals totaling $35,824.06. The ALB developed the Matching Grant Program to expand its marketing and promotions activities by working collaboratively with non-profit industry organizations. The matching grant proposals that were approved include:

• Colorado Wool Growers Association - lamb industry tour for Colorado culinary professionals and two informational mailings to Colorado producers regarding ALB activities;
• Indiana Sheep Association - wine tasting event at the Indiana State Fair;
• Valley Wool Growers of North Dakota - high school home economics program;
• California Sheep Commission - education program for non-vocational culinary schools throughout California;
• Iowa Sheep Industry Association - retail education and promotion;
• Agri-business Council of Oregon - Buy Summer Lamb promotion; and
• Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers - on-farm training sessions to educate "lamb ambassadors" who will then conduct in-store demonstrations at cooperative retail establishments.

Additional Matching Grant Proposals Requested

A total of $50,000 was budgeted for 2004 grant funding. The Board approved requesting a second round of applications to fund additional proposals with the unallocated grant funding. Competitive grants are available in any amount up to $14,175.94. The grants require a one-to-one cash match from the grant recipient. In-kind contributions are not considered for the matching requirement.

Non-profit organizations are invited to submit proposals that expand or strengthen the market for American Lamb; conducting promotions, consumer educational events, field days or demonstrations to further disseminate information to lamb buyers or other creative lamb marketing programs will be considered. Applicants must identify specific marketing problems or constraints. Projects which include a collaborative effort among industry organizations are encouraged.

For more information including the grant applications, please call Megan Wortman at the American Lamb Board - (866) 327-LAMB. The deadline for receiving grant applications is May 3, 2004.

The American Lamb Board (ALB) is a national promotion, research and information organization whose purpose is to strengthen the position of lamb and lamb products in domestic and foreign markets. The 13-member board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is composed of six producers, three feeders, one seedstock producer and three first handlers. The work of the Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. All grants approved by ALB are subject to USDA's review and approval.

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Spence Rule Appointed Chairman of American Lamb Board

Spence Rule of Brighton, Colo., was appointed to serve as chairman of the American Lamb Board (ALB) at the ALB's Annual Meeting in Sacramento Jan. 25, 2004.

Rule will serve a one-year term as chairman.

He represents lamb feeders on the ALB but also is a sheep producer and packer. His feeding operation is in Brighton, Colo.

Rule has served on the boards of the American Sheep Industry Association, National Lamb Feeders Association and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.

"I'm very excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for the American Lamb Board," said Rule. "I want the ALB to continue to be a unifying force for the U.S. sheep industry."

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Nick Forrest Appointed Vice-Chairman of American Lamb Board

Nick Forrest of Oxford, Ohio, was appointed to serve as vice-chairman of the American Lamb Board (ALB) at the association's Annual Board Meeting in Sacramento Jan. 25, 2004.

Forrest will serve a one-year term as vice-chairman.

Forrest, representing lamb producers on the ALB, operates a commercial flock of 25-30 ewes in Oxford, Ohio. Forrest co-ops with about 10 other producers in his area to supply American Lamb to the niche ethnic markets.

Forrest and his wife, Kathy, also provide American Lamb cooking demonstrations for people having parties in their homes. The demonstrations are designed to educate people at the local level on where to buy American Lamb and how to prepare it.

"I'm very honored to be elected vice-chairman of the American Lamb Board," said Forrest. "We have a great opportunity before us to build on the strong foundation that has been laid during the board's first year."

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ALB Posts Billboards

Participants of the American Sheep Industry Association/National Lamb Feeders Association 2004 Convention were treated to the sight of an American Lamb Board billboard at Broadway and 16th Street in Sacramento.

It is estimated that 2.5 million people will see the eye-catching billboard over a one-month period.

Not to be left out, commuters who travel by bus will also see this same advertisement at five bus shelters surrounding Sacramento's Capitol Park area.

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