New York Sheep and Wool 2008

Romneys will be the featured sheep breed at the 36th Annual New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, www.sheepandwool.com, October 17-19, 2008, in Rhinebeck, New York. Planned for the weekend are:

Being selected as Featured Breed is a signal honor for our Romney sheep, and our Association. It provides us with the opportunity to have as many as 30,000 people see all dimensions of Romneys, and to learn why the breed commands so much love and respect around the world. The event, along with the ARBA Annual Meeting and Banquet, offers a gathering place for Romney breeders, and those considering Romneys. We invite everyone to help us make this the biggest celebration ever for North American Romneys.

A number of Romney breeders are already working on this event, many more than are on the contact list. Won’t you join a committee now and be in on the planning? Or you can lend a hand during the weekend. The most important thing is that you join us for a spectacular autumn weekend in New York’s historic Hudson River Valley for Romneys at Rhinebeck.

Sheep Show, Open and Youth Combined. Our Featured Breed sheep show judge will be Bill Gardhouse, internationally known breeder of Lincoln sheep from Schomberg, Ontario. ARBA is honored that Bill has accepted this judging assignment. He’s also agreed to judge the special Romney Fleece Show, as well as the bred ewe sale’s show and the Festival’s wool breed shows on Sunday. The Lead Line will feature Romney sheep, and shepherds wearing articles of clothing made from Romney or other wool. Rules for entering, and entry blanks will be on the Festival’s web site.

Educational Exhibits, Presentation, Workshops. Presented by several Romney breeders in the Wool Nook, located in the Romney show barn. A preliminary program follows. See contact information below for Anne McIntyre-Lahner or Steve Shafer.

The traveling tabletop exhibit from ARBA, which contains information about and photos of Romney sheep.
Romney History. Lois Aylestock (Two Spruce Farm, Virginia) will be at the Festival to gather in oral and documentary historical information on American Romneys from all who wish to contribute. Lois, Jane Caulfield (Far Out Farm, Tennessee) and Steve Shafer (Anchorage Farm, New York) seek good copies of photos, catalogues, personal records, pedigrees. They’re especially looking for materials that trace descendants of Morris Culver’s first registered natural-colored Romney ram, Mereoak US 8-72. The material they are collecting will be used for a Romney Centennial project.
Lamb: Pasture to Plate. Lois and Doug Aylestock will also do a workshop about Blue Ridge Meats, their innovative business. Vertically integrated from pasture to plate, it appeals strongly to the growing number of people who like to eat lamb (and other meat) only when it comes from and through places with which they have a relationship.
All Things Romney. The Mary Spinners, a group of 10 friends, will display a variety of knitted, woven and felted articles made from handspun yarn from a single Romney fleece. Regina Embler (Applewood Acre Farm, New York) is coordinating this project.
Shearing on a Stand. Marlene Halstead (Rocky Top Farm, Pennsylvania) will demonstrate an excellent alternative to conventional on-floor shearing for relatively small flocks.
Natural-Colored Romneys. Maggie Howard (Tawanda Farms, California) will present a comprehensive, easily understood workbook. Prepared especially for this event, it will contain detailed pictures of color patterns found in natural-colored Romneys for use in tracking those genetics. (This may become one of the Festival’s workshops, and would attract a wider audience.)
How to Estimate a Fleece’s Average Fiber Diameter. Steve Shafer (Anchorage Farm, New York) will show participants how they can test their ability to estimate the fiber diameter of Romney wool without special instruments using samples with “known” fiber diameters, and "unknown" samples. Results may surprise you.
Romneys to Rugs. A show and tell about carpet yarns for the wool-rich broadloom industry, where Romney wool dominates the supply side.
Make It Yourself with Romney Wool. An exhibit of finished products made with Romney wool in which the maker personally did every step of preparation and completion including shearing. See Romney Ramblings, 2006.) Mary Kelly, of Red Hook, New York, has kindly agreed to judge the entries. Contact Steve Shafer for rules. Entry blanks will go on-line later.

Cooperative Vendor Booth. Half the Wool Nook will be a cooperative vendors’ area limited to ARBA members to sell their Romney products. Participants will share the $250 fee for renting this space from the Festival. Participants, with the help of Vicky Lentz and volunteers, will staff the area both days. Contact Anne McIntyre-Lahner or Vicky soon if you’re interested, as space is limited. Roving, yarn, garments, felted products, pelts, decorations, floor coverings are some ideas.

More Romney History. Sheep historian Tom Colyer will present his own perspective on the international and North American history of the breed.

The New York State Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale has always been a good place to buy and sell excellent Romney ewe lambs, yearling ewes and bred ewes at auction. In most years, consignments have numbered six or eight, and we hope for a dozen or more in 2008. For purchasers who can’t be in Rhinebeck, Banner Sale Management accepts phone or mailed in bids. Because exhibitors travel from many states to the Festival, it’s not hard to find a ride for purchased sheep.

Featured Breed Souvenirs. The Festival will be selling sweatshirts, t-shirts, caps and desk items featuring Romney sheep and based on the beautiful painting by Martha Robinson, which is now on the Festival’s web site. Silver jewelry is also planned. Garments, and perhaps the silverwork, may become available early in 2008. (Note: Romney sweatshirts are now available for purchase. www.sheepandwool.com/viewproduct.cfm?cid=16)

New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, New York, www.sheepandwool.com, festivalinfo@sheepandwool.com.

Ron Andress (610-847-5419, andress@enter.net) has organized the youth show, which will be nested with the open show. Entry blanks will be on the Festival’s web site.

Carole Foster (518-695-3058, foster_farm@yahoo.com) is organizing the Lead Line competition. Entry blanks will also be on the Festival’s web site.

Vicky Lentz (607-263-5425, lentzvm@oneonta.edu ) is the coordinator of volunteers for the activities in the Wool Nook. We’re going to need at least 20 ARBA members to volunteer throughout the weekend. They can serve as hosts or guides, or do spinning demonstrations.

Anne McIntyre-Lahner (203-458-3070, anne.mcintyre-lahner@ctsheep.org) will oversee the Romney activities in the Wool Nook, including the program of demonstrations and discussions.

Mary Pratt (518-753-7838, elihufarm@localnet.com ), has organized and will provide information about the sheep and fleece shows, and the ARBA Annual Meeting. Details on entering the shows will appear in Romney Ramblings, Summer Issue, and on the Festival’s web site.

Steve Shafer (845-246-4947, shpcount@earthlink.net ) is overall coordinator of Romney events for Romneys at Rhinebeck. He can answer questions about any of the events, add your name to his list for regular email updates, and send you to the right person if you want to volunteer.

All membership questions and Association business should be sent to the ARBA Secretary, Jean Kamenicky, at secretary@americanromney.org. This includes any comments on this web site or suggestions for content.

Ramblings Online