For More Information Contact:
Judy Malone (303) 771-3500, ext. 35, or judym@sheepusa.org
Amy Trinidad (303) 771-3500, ext. 55, or amy@sheepusas.org
Denver, Colo. – Elected to represented Region II on the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) Executive Board at the ASI/National Lamb Feeders Association Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 26 is Bob Leer of Paris, Ky. ASI’s Region II consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Maryland and Delaware.
Leer grew up on a Kentucky farm producing tobacco and hogs. It wasn’t until 15 years ago that Leer and is wife of 30 years began the sheep operation when their kids, now 28 and 25 years old, wanted to show sheep. Today, Leer’s flock consists of 35-40 head of Hampshire sheep. The lambs that aren’t raised for the club lamb flock are sold privately to the ethnic trade or at the stock yards. Leer’s son, an accomplished showman, continues to help with the farm as Leer has been employed by Toyota in Georgetown, Ky., for the past 24 years.
Even though Leer’s children are grown, he still believes in the importance of working with today’s youth and getting them involved in livestock. “I hang my hat on the fact that I understand that youth are the future of farming for this country, and we need to do what we can to get them interested in farming.”
For the past decade, Leer has been an active member of the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association (KSWPA). He was president of the Kentucky Club Lamb Association. He has also held the position of vice president and is the current president of KSWPA. For the past three years, he has served as the Kentucky director on the ASI Board of Directors.
“I would like to see this industry grow, we have seen great interest in the sheep industry from farmers in this area and I would like to do what I can to help the industry expand in the Southeast,” explains Leer, who says he is looking forward to listening to the concerns of the producers in Region II and do what he can to help make life better for the shepherds.
ASI is a national organization supported by 46 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 81,000 sheep producers.
# # #