Posted: 09.09.2011
Imagine someone reaching into your pocket and taking out $100. You'd notice it. And so has the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival (WSWF) - only it was more then $100.
Bob Black of Columbus is one of the dedicated organizers for the annual event which is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this weekend at the Jefferson County Fair Park in Jefferson. WSWF routinely relies on different grant monies and programs to help offset some of the expenses of hosting the show - including educational events staged for young people. According to Black, this year they were surprised when grant money previously available through the Farm Service Agency basically dried up - leaving the group in the lurch.
"It had a big impact on our youth program, Pam," Black explains to the Wisconsin Farm Report, "It was a big loss no question about it. That money went to fund our skillathon, our youth sweepstakes overall, and everything from the kids poster contest right on through to their exhibits." So how did the group overcome? Black says fortunately, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative could pick up the slack. "We're doing actually pretty well, Pam. We've been able to survive, although every year is a challenge. By and large we're keeping our heads above water. WSWF is the primary funding mechanism for the group every year so it has to grow and it has to stay fluid."
Black says despite the financial surprises they experienced this year - absolutely no programs were cut. In fact, they've added more features this year. "We saw an increase in the fiber arts areas by 10 percent this year, which means we'll have more then 400 students coming in to take classes on everything from fiber arts to spinning." Black says the animal numbers are also growing - expecting more then 675 seperate entries in the sheep shows.
Why is the show growing? Black believes it's the interest that people have in knowing more about where their food comes from - and actually attempting to engage in production themselves. Black says that's reflected in the membership of the WI Sheep Breeders Cooperative. He doesn't want to call them "hobbyists" - but he admits their membership has seen a large influx of people with small acres that are discovering their own niche involving sheep and wool.
For more on the weekends event - go to www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com
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