Ohio Sheep and Wool Program
Consumer Marketing Programs
Providing funding though an RFP (Request for Proposal) process, these funded requests are submitted to the OSWP Board and the funding is approved by the OSWP Board. The programs funded follow check-off guidelines for promotion, education, and research. Following is the RFP requests that are being funded by the OSWP Program:
Ohio Sheep Day Program
Ohio Sheep Youth Extravaganza
Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium
Consumer Media Promotion "Getting Lamb Noticed in the Media"
Ohio Livestock Coalition Industry Image Campaign
AGRIPower Institute
Ohio Lamb Chef's School
Total funding for 2009 Request for Proposals - $30,400.00
Cleveland Fabulous Food Show - In November 2008, OSWP was granted a 1:1 matching grant with the American Lamb Board for a lamb promotion at the Cleveland Fabulous Food Show. Nearly 600 lbs. of "Fresh American Lamb" was sampled by the approximately 25,000 consumers in attendance. Total cost of the program was over $12,000.00.
Participate in trade show displays and presentations at the Ohio State Fair, "Land and Living" Exhibit in coordination with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Nationwide Insurance.
Providing funding for lamb research projects with the OSU AS Meats Department, Dr. Henry Zerby and Dr. Paul Kuber to increase the value of lower value lamb meat cuts produced from Ohio Lambs.
Major sponsor of youth sheep programs such as the State FFA Sheep Proficiency Awards and Sheep Youth Extravaganza
Ohio's Heartland Cuisine cooking demonstrations at the Ohio State Fair as well as sponsoring numerous other cooking demonstrations.
Major sponsor of Make-It With Wool (MIWW) Contest.
Sponsored funding smaller county oriented lamb and wool promotional programs:
Ohio Heartland Sheep Improvement Association - Lamb Promotion
Ross County Lamb and Wool Promotion Activities
Allen County Sheep Improvement Association
While the OSWP is mandatory, the Board of Directors realizes the program is dependent on the willing and continued support of producers. Your input is vital to the Program and will be seriously considered. Please contact the office or any board member with your suggestions.
Producer Education
Partnering with Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and The Ohio State University Extension Program
Working in cooperation with The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences to provide "District" programming for sheep producers in Ohio. Session topics include but are not limited to scrapie eradication, lamb carcass evaluation, lamb marketing, predator control, parasite control, health and nutrition.
Working in cooperation with Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, USDA Wildlife Services in predator control programs for coyote and black vulture issues.
Worked in cooperation with Ohio Department of Agriculture to implement the ODA Small Ruminant Advisory Committee. This committee meets regularly to discuss the important health and biosecurity issues of the sheep and goat industries.
Partnering with Ohio Sheep Improvement Association to sponsor educational speakers for Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium, Ohio Sheep Day, and other producer meetings.
Cooperating with Dr. Henry Zerby and Dr. Paul Kuber, OSU Meats Specialist and other Ohio State University personnel in planning and implementing Ohio Sheep Day, Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium, Sheep Production Short Courses, research opportunities, and producer's education meetings.
The OSWP and OSIA have been instrumental in the development of the OSU Sheep Team. An outreach group of university professors, Extension Agents, and industry leaders that serve as a core producer educational unit.
Partnering with OSIA and OSU, 4-H and FFA to help educate and involve young sheep producers in the sheep industry. The OSWP Board recognizes that the 4-H and FFA members of today not only pay into the OSWP program, but are instrumental in the future of our industry and are the sheep industry leaders of tomorrow. Several youth related events are sponsored annually by the OSWP.
The OSWP is a sponsor of the Lamb 509 program, a program held at OSU to improve lamb marketing skills by sheep producers. This hands on program has been a popular program in Ohio and around the United States, bring recognition to Ohio's sheep industry.
Partnering with American Lamb Board to promote Ohio and American Lamb products by leveraging dollars which will assist us in promoting lamb products into Ohio grocery stores.
The primary goal of the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program remains increasing the sheep population in Ohio and increasing producer profitability. We keep this goal in mind when implementing all programs. We continue to meet and form alliances with marketing agencies, industry partners and educational agencies.