2024 ASI Washington D.C. Legislative Trip

By: Roger A. High, OSIA Executive Director

The coveted cherry blossoms were not yet blooming in our national’s capital as we ensued upon our annual adventure to Washington D.C. to discuss the sheep industry with our nation’s leaders. Collectively we were able to put many positive spins on our sheep industry in Washington D.C. Those in attendance from across the country at the 2024 ASI Spring Legislative Trip were hopeful that they could make real impact.
Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) members Barbie Casey-Booth (Butler Co.) and Tom Conner (Pickaway Co.), and ASI Immediate President Susan Shultz (Logan Co.) joined OSIA Executive Director Roger A. High for yet another hopeful lobbying trip. Along with representatives from several other states, the Ohio delegation worked to promote the interests of the sheep industry through educating our government leaders about sheep industry issues.
The ASI trip officially kicked off with USDA briefing at the Marriot Navy Yard Hotel with the sheep industry lobbying firm leading the discussion. We were able to receive several much-needed USDA updates, especially those regarding the USDA FSA programs such as the Wool LDP among others, USDA Wildlife Services and the Farm Bill. Hearing the concerns of shepherds from other states provided the attendees with more knowledge of the impact of federal policies on the sheep industry.
Meetings were held with Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. J.C. Vance offices and with representatives from the congressional offices of Jordan, Carey, Turner, Latta, Davidson, Wenstrup, Johnson, Kaptur and Miller.
Each OSIA Representative tailored their message to show each member of Congress the sheep industry affects their district – whether rural or urban. They spoke about the importance of support for services provided by USDA. The Ohio delegation also thanked each of the congressional offices for any work they will be doing to put together an acceptable farm bill beneficial to agriculture and the sheep industry.
During the legislative meetings, the four Ohio sheep producers stressed that now is a great time to be in the sheep industry due to the growing demand for lamb and goat meat from ethnic populations in the United States. Also suggested to the representatives was the potential positive impact of solar farms that the sheep industry could capture with the push for sustainability in our agricultural world.
There is a real opportunity for job creation as many Ohioans want to become involved in sheep or goat production. In order to recruit more people into small ruminant production to meet the growing demand, several key items are needed. Shepherds must be allowed to use available – and approved – means for predator control so coyotes and black vultures do not decimate lamb crops. Federal regulations must be addressed to find a method of controlling the black vulture, which is protected under the 1918 Migratory Bird Act but no longer migrates away from the livestock-rich southern portions of Ohio. In our meetings, the suggestion for support of the Black Vulture Act of 2023 was promoted as a viable way to manage Black Vultures legally.
Finally, it is vital all shepherds work to ensure sheep production in the western United States is allowed to continue on federal lands, as the use of these western lands impacts the entire country. The sheep industry is such that if production diminishes there, the infrastructure for the entire industry will be affected.
High said, “OSIA was able to take progressive members to represent the Ohio sheep industry on this lobbying trip to show our legislators that there is a bright future to the sheep industry, and that they want to be involved.

OSIA Representatives to the ASI Spring Legislative Trip
Barbie Casey-Booth, Susan Shultz, Tom Conner and Roger A. High meet with Representative Mike Turner Legislative Aid Dave Straka regarding Ohio as well as national sheep industry issues.
Left to Right: Rep. Mike Turner Legislative Aid Dave Straka, Roger A. High, Barbie Casey-Booth, Susan Shultz, and Tom Conner

Ohio Representative Office of Representative Max Miller welcomes the Ohio ASI Delegation to his office to discuss Ohio and national sheep, lamb and wool industry issues.