For More Information Contact:
Judy Malone — 303-771-3500, ext. 104, or judym@sheepusa.org
Kyle Partain – 303-771-3500, ext. 106, or kyle@sheepusa.org
DENVER – Jimmy Parker of Vinemont, Ala., was elected to represent Region II on the American Sheep Industry Association’s Executive Board at the 2017 ASI Convention in Denver, Jan. 25-28.
“Being elected to this board is an honor and I very much appreciate the confidence the members of this region have placed in me,” said Parker. “I look forward to learning more about the industry as a whole so that I can more effectively assist in its growth.”
Parker grew up on the Appalachian foothill farm where he and his family now run their small flock of wool ewes. Since he basically runs a ewe operation, he doesn’t finish many lambs but those he does are sold through local farmers markets and to the ethnic trade. He also sells a few purebred rams to area producers to help increase weight gains in their hair-sheep operations.
Parker graduated from Mississippi State University with an animal science degree and began work on a masters in ruminant nutrition. Since 2012, he has been managing a family-owned feed mill where he works with feed and nutrition formulas on a daily basis.
Parker knew from a young age that animals were his thing. He and his family raise and sell free-range boilers, sell eggs at the farmers market, operate a small sow operation and market milk from their dairy goats. A few rabbits, horses, donkeys and dogs also call the Parker farmyard home.
He has been a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Meat Goat and Sheep Committee for several years. Parker is married with four children and two step-daughters.
Parker represents Region II, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
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.