July 2005 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of Jeff Siddoway, from Terreton, Idaho, and Guy Flora, from Cardington, Ohio, to serve as directors for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) Board of Directors on May 6, 2005. Siddoway, who has been on the board for the past three years, was re-appointed; however, this appointment is Flora?s first term on the board.
The two open positions were reserved for ?active producers of sheep or goats in the United States.?
The NSIIC is managed by its board of directors, which is appointed by and reports to the secretary of agriculture. The board consists of seven voting members, chosen from the sheep and goat industries, and the respective undersecretaries for the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s (USDA) Rural Development and Research, Education and Economics Services, who serve as non-voting members.
Siddoway is a rancher from eastern Idaho who runs a large family-owned sheep operation. He attended the University of Idaho and has served in numerous local, state and national organizations, including holding the office of president of the Idaho Wool Growers Association, past director of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and as a commissioner of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
?I think there is a great opportunity for the NSIIC to help strengthen the infrastructure of the U.S. sheep industry,? says Siddoway. ?I encourage those who need funding for projects to step forward and apply.?
Flora is editor of and a partner in The Shepherd Magazine, past educator and runs what he refers to as a ?typical Midwestern farm.? As immediate past president of ASI, he has vast experience and knowledge of the U.S. sheep industry. During his tenure, he oversaw numerous national initiatives for lamb, wool, sheep health and research.
?I am pleased and honored that ASI placed my name in nomination to the NSIIC Board. It is gratifying that the Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns seated ASI?s nominees on the board,? says Flora. ?I will try to make good use of my knowledge of our industry gained over the past six to eight years as an executive board member and officer of ASI.?