October 3, 2008 - Paul Lewis, chair of the American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC), announced funding for nine competitive grants through its grant initiative program. The center made available $200,000 for the grant program and received 38 applications requesting more than $1.7 million.

"It is encouraging to know that there is this kind of enthusiasm and optimism in the sheep and goat industries," stated Steve Lee, ASGC's executive director. "The grant process generated many quality ideas that can help benefit our industries."

The primary objective of the grants is to fund a number of diverse projects that will benefit the U.S. sheep or goat industries through product or business development, producer information or education, marketing and promotion for sheep or goats or their products, genetic retention or animal health at the regional, national or international level.

This is the sixth year of the popular grant program, which is one of the sheep center's main programs along with the Livestock Insurance Program and the existing direct, low-interest loan program that is administered through the National Livestock Producers Association. These are all programs funded by the ASGC board of directors to help provide infrastructure capital to the sheep and goat industries.

"The board appreciates all the time and effort that went into preparing the proposal," concluded Lee. "The competition for the funding was intense. It was difficult to make the selection decisions, yet the board feels that it has selected projects that will prove to benefit the industries both today and into the future."

Funding recipients include the American Goat Federation, the American Sheep Industry Association, Bollman Industries, California Wool Growers Association, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, National Lamb Feeders Association, North Dakota State University, Texas AgriLife Research and Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association.

Project summaries will be posted at www.asgcusa.org. Additional information is available from Lee at 202-350-9065 or e-mail info@asgcusa.org.

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