BOARD MEET YOUR DIRECTORS OF
What do you enjoy most about being a Director? Working on committees with so many talented and dedicated Directors has been the most rewarding part of my experience. I would encourage others who are considering running for a Director position to do so. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I enjoy taking wilderness canoe/ camping/fishing trips, trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota and Quetico Provincial Park of Canada. In the early years, the trips were designed to challenge one’s physical abilities and, of course, Mother Nature. However, after 30 plus years of trips, I must admit that the older I get the adventures have become much safer and less rigorous. If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I’m fairly certain that if sheep were not part of my daily routine I would be raising some other production animal. Most likely cattle. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? Since I rarely cook, I really don’t have a favorite lamb recipe. My favorite lamb dish is anything I happen to put on the grill! John Scott, Minnesota (District 3) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? In 1985 when I was in high school, my older brother brought home six Suffolk ewes. While our family has had sheep continually since then, around 2013 I bought a farm up the road from my parents’, moved back, and bought the family flock. At that time I made a commitment to raise registered Suffolks, and have grown our registered Suffolk flock since then. Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? Our target flock size is 40, which is how many we are lambing this year. What Suffolk breeders had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? I would have to say Jeremy Geske who is selfless with sharing his experiences and answering my questions on breeding, genetics, nutrition, and helping me through some lambing seasons when I was still learning to deal with lambing emergencies. Also, Jim Van Dyke, Rob Zelinsky and Bob Kimm, for emphatically telling me to watch and keep production data points as I was buying new and retaining replacement registered breeding stock. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Find an experienced mentor with patience, and the ability to communicate with you so you can learn from what they have to offer.
What do you enjoy most about being a director? Meeting Suffolk breeders from all over and learning how passionate they are about raising their Suffolks. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I enjoy my off the farm job as an attorney, and my sheep are a therapeutic outlet that I enjoy even more. If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I suppose the answer my wife would want me to say is, “traveling somewhere with sandy beaches, blue water and sun, and nothing more than that.” But, I would probably still be in Minnesota working as an attorney during the day, and raising a different animal species, likely beef cows, on the weekends. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? So many favorite dishes. Recently, lamb shanks braised in a cast iron Dutch oven made my favorite list, and Shepherd’s pie has been a repeat dish over this past winter. Jim Van Dyke, South Dakota (District 1) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? 32 years Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? 350 What Suffolk breeders had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? Marlin Berg, Steve Cloud, and Tom Burke. Their willingness to mentor a young guy and invest their time and experience into a youth without deep pockets. Also just believing and having confidence in a young person. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Start a flock with a nucleus from one or two breeders that you trust and are willing to mentor you if you ask. Juniors - if you’re showing and have anything in the futurity programs, fill out your point sheets and send them in! What do you enjoy most about being a director? The interaction between directors and what is going on in their respective district and what they perceive as beneficial for the Suffolk breed and the greater US Sheep Industry. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Nothing should come as a surprise. If you want to know what I’m thinking just ask. If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I really don’t have an answer as I don’t know. Raising sheep has been a major part
of my life for over 30 years. In my free time I also have a seed business. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? Chislic! But it’s all good. Bill Zwyers, Indiana (District 4) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? 40 years Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? About 40 ewes and Suffolks only. What Suffolk breeders had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? I would say that Donna Mays had the biggest influence on me over the years. Her dedication, lifelong interest in the breed and incredible work ethic was quite inspiring. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Study the breed. Learn all you can and decide how you can contribute to improving the breed. Get involved and make lifelong friends along the way. What do you enjoy most about being a director? I have enjoyed meeting and working closely with other members who also have a passionate interest in the breed and making a difference for the better. It has been especially rewarding to have worked on the Breed Improvement and Education committees and I am quite proud of what we have accomplished in the past few years. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I’d say that most people are not aware that I am marginally bilingual. If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I started life with a passion for good livestock and in particular beef cattle. I am a life member of the Angus Association and I have always enjoyed fitting and showing beef cattle. I never lost that passion and I stay involved with that industry. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? I have many but I am quite fond of a really good lamb stew braised in Guinness.
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