The Mission of the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers is to promote lamb and wool products, provide educational and networking opportunities for sheep producers, support the advancement of sheep and wool production, and advocate for sheep producers in the area, state, region, and nation.
Association History
The Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers (NWISP) began in the early 1980s when several sheep producers in the area joined together to start a successful annual "Ewe lamb and ram sale". As the years progressed and interest in the sheep industry increased, those involved decided to form an organized group. They received their 'articles of incorporation' papers in 1987, and soon after were recognized as a non-profit organization. Along with dues and registrations, the NWISP soon began offering wool products for sale as another source of income to fund their educational and promotional events.
In the early 1990s, Iowa had several state-funded sheep projects. Chris Faller was the director of the Northwest Iowa Lamb and Wool Project. Chris, along with area extension agent Dennis DeWitt, gave the producers in the area excellent leadership in improving their operations and pooling resources together. The NWISP's annual meeting, held in January, often served hundreds of meals to those attending. Sheep numbers were high, and producers were many!
Over the next two decades, things began to change. The funding for the Lamb and Wool Projects was pulled, the farming culture gradually changed (less diversity), and the number of sheep producers decreased. The NWISP has continued to serve its members though all these changes. It may have different members and leaders, but the goal is still the same: to serve its members by developing opportunities in member education, networking, cost savings, and lamb and wool promotion.
NWISP Today
Members of the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers today include those interested in sheep production, folks with small hobby flocks, producers with hundreds of ewes that make their living from sheep, and everything in between. Some members develop club lambs, some produce breeding stock for sale. Many members are commercial producers that raise lambs for meat and market their animals through diverse channels. Some members serve a supporting role to the industry through extension, nutrition, veterinary medicine, shearing, and much more. The diversity of our members provide for educational and networking opportunities that are priceless.
The NWISP has quarterly meetings throughout the northwest Iowa region and strives to bring in speakers at each meeting that are informative and educational. Other activities include serving lamb burgers at the NSIP Center of the Nation sale each July, selling wool products at the Clay County Fair in Spencer in September, supporting numerous field days and educational opportunities in cooperation with ISU Extension and Outreach, and promoting lamb and wool at multiple venues including multiple county fairs and Western Iowa Agriculture Alliance events. NWISP has also advocated to fill a position at Iowa State University for a professor and sheep extension specialist for the state.
Membership
Membership in the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers is only $10 per year. If you are interested in joining, you may send dues to:
Trixie Metzger
2324 110th St
Larchwood, IA 51241
The Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers (NWISP) began in the early 1980s when several sheep producers in the area joined together to start a successful annual "Ewe lamb and ram sale". As the years progressed and interest in the sheep industry increased, those involved decided to form an organized group. They received their 'articles of incorporation' papers in 1987, and soon after were recognized as a non-profit organization. Along with dues and registrations, the NWISP soon began offering wool products for sale as another source of income to fund their educational and promotional events.
In the early 1990s, Iowa had several state-funded sheep projects. Chris Faller was the director of the Northwest Iowa Lamb and Wool Project. Chris, along with area extension agent Dennis DeWitt, gave the producers in the area excellent leadership in improving their operations and pooling resources together. The NWISP's annual meeting, held in January, often served hundreds of meals to those attending. Sheep numbers were high, and producers were many!
Over the next two decades, things began to change. The funding for the Lamb and Wool Projects was pulled, the farming culture gradually changed (less diversity), and the number of sheep producers decreased. The NWISP has continued to serve its members though all these changes. It may have different members and leaders, but the goal is still the same: to serve its members by developing opportunities in member education, networking, cost savings, and lamb and wool promotion.
NWISP Today
Members of the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers today include those interested in sheep production, folks with small hobby flocks, producers with hundreds of ewes that make their living from sheep, and everything in between. Some members develop club lambs, some produce breeding stock for sale. Many members are commercial producers that raise lambs for meat and market their animals through diverse channels. Some members serve a supporting role to the industry through extension, nutrition, veterinary medicine, shearing, and much more. The diversity of our members provide for educational and networking opportunities that are priceless.
The NWISP has quarterly meetings throughout the northwest Iowa region and strives to bring in speakers at each meeting that are informative and educational. Other activities include serving lamb burgers at the NSIP Center of the Nation sale each July, selling wool products at the Clay County Fair in Spencer in September, supporting numerous field days and educational opportunities in cooperation with ISU Extension and Outreach, and promoting lamb and wool at multiple venues including multiple county fairs and Western Iowa Agriculture Alliance events. NWISP has also advocated to fill a position at Iowa State University for a professor and sheep extension specialist for the state.
Membership
Membership in the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers is only $10 per year. If you are interested in joining, you may send dues to:
Trixie Metzger
2324 110th St
Larchwood, IA 51241