Like peanut butter and jelly...

In my humble opinion, kids and sheep go together just like PB & J.  I may be the teensiest bit biased, but I think that animals and kids are pretty great separately, but put them together and the joy is amplified.  All these photos are courtesy of Corinne Rasso of Crosswinds Farm, she and her sister Marie are kind enough each year to be the photographers for our show in Jefferson and my hat is off to them for the fine work they do for us. Since we can't post 200 photos on our MSSBA website, I thought I'd share a few of the kids and their sheep on here.  

See what I mean????  It makes an ordinary sheep show.....something special.   Thanks to all the parents and grandparents that cultivate the interest of our youth.  Without their support, these children wouldn't have a chance to do this.  

New stuff for 2012 MSSBA Show at WSWF

It's official....we have a few new things that I had to get the approval for from the Wi Sheep and Wool Festival organizers, but I've been given the affirmative nod now and can pass along some of the ideas being planned.

NEW CLASSES THIS YEAR!!!


***Youth Showmanship is being split into three age groups, watch the WSWF website for details, there will be a detailed list of the classes once the catalog copy is finalized.

***This year there will be a Costume Class, so start planning how you are going to dress up you and your Shetland sheep!

I'm very happy to announce that we have been given permission to have a Photo Contest specifically for Shetland sheep at this year's event.  I know that there's been a lot of Shetland owners that would love to compete at the Jefferson fiber event, but distance (and sky rocketing fuel costs) have prevented a lot of you from attending this event.  We thought that having a photo contest that is open to everyone would be a great way to let some of you be involved and show off your sheep at the same time.
There are 2 requirements:  1) There must be a Shetland sheep in the photo  2) You have to provide MSSBA with a 5" x 7" hard copy and a digital copy of your entry.  Both copies become the property of MSSBA, and all entries will be used (with your permission) in a calendar that we will be making with all the entries from the contest.  All photographer will be given full credit when the calendars are made, and the winners will get additional mention and recognition.
The icing on the cake is the prize money....
1st place  (drum roll please)  $100!!!!!  And the cover photo on the calendar.  
2nd place is $50
3rd place $25
4th place $15
5th place $10
6th place $5
Youth 1st place  $40
The entry fee is only $5.00, so it's  a very affordable way to compete at a Shetland Sheep show.

There will be a detailed list of categories as we get closer, such as: Shetlands and landscapes, Shetlands and people/person, Shetlands and kids, Shetlands and any other animal/animals.

Sooooooooo, get out those cameras, I know you have them because I've seen the spectacular pictures each and every one of you have posted on your blogs or Facebook.

Returning events are: Handy Shepherd (may be moved to Friday afternoon), Shetland sheep show, Silent Auction, Skein competition, Make it with Shetland competition, Fleece show and our Pizza party.

Orange lips

Thanks to our many family and friends that locate and deliver pumpkins to me for my sheep to enjoy.  As you can see, it doesn't take long for them to figure out that they are super yummy.  New sheep and lambs generally turn up their noses at this once a year treat, but it doesn't take long for them to come around.  I have one ewe lamb that loves them so much that her entire face is orange when she's done.  

Dot, Challis and Maura  shamelessly pigging out on pumpkins

Alexandria simply adores pumpkins. 

Dot and Challis 

Vienna thinks I have grain and was quite put out with me that I only had a camera.
I really like this ewe lamb.......can't wait to see what she looks like next year.

Disco and Alabama are pretty disgusted with me here, no treats and so now the pouting begins.

Left front: Salina, center is Killian's butt and right front is Seneca (butt again)
background ewe lambs are: middle of pen is Alabama then from left to right in the back: Alexandria, Sierra, Vienna, & Disco

Killian and Seneca.  Killian was the wildest sheep when she arrived, but now she simply lays her head in my hand and loves to be scratched.  Sits right on the ground.......it's hilarious.

That which angers us, controls us.

Campaign Statement

Kelly K Bartels. OK Acres Shetlands
Monroe, WI . Flock 1774
I'd like to introduce myself; my name is Kelly Bartels from Monroe, WI.  My husband, my son, and I moved to our present 25 acre farm in 2000 with my 2 horses and one dog.   We acquired our first Shetland ram in 2004 from our friends that were moving to Arizona who couldn't take their sheep with them.  It only took
a short period of time for us to realize that this hardy, compact little sheep was something we wanted to preserve and so began our search for some ewes and the start of OK Acres Shetlands.
My real interest in preservation began a couple years later when I discovered that there were more than one type of Shetland fleece.  My first trip to a purebred Shetland show was an eye opener for me when I put my hands on some of the softest Shetland fiber that I have ever felt.  I came home from that show determined to do more research and find out as much as I could about the history of these wonderful sheep.  I found very little at first, there are so many places to look and the information is sometimes very dry and clinical, but the things I found got me even more excited to look further.  I found all the forums, got more links to research, met some helpful breeders, and more data just kept becoming available.  If elected to the board, I would
like to see this information and research put in one place for ease of access for NASSA members and their education.  My current participation on the NASSA Education Committee has allowed me to see the placement of historical information on the NASSA website move forward a bit more, and I think it can be an ongoing project that adds items as they become available.  I feel that the membership can benefit from reading all of the verified historical data in its entirety.

My primary reason for running for the board stems from my increased interest in preserving and promoting Shetlands at fiber events and within the fiber community.  I'd like to help this organization move past some of the past turmoil so that real progress can be made moving forward with some important projects, such as education and promotion of the wonderful fleece products that our sheep can offer the fi ber community.    All Shetland fleece has its ideal use.  We need to educate spinners and knitters so that they become more informed about what can be done with Shetland wool thereby promoting and preserving the Shetland breed, the primary purpose of NASSA.
One of my concerns that I'd like to address, if elected, deals with making sure our members have access to what the board does in a timely manner.    Details of discussions that aren't deemed confidential due to a personal matters, should be available to the general membership quickly and in detail.   NASSA belongs to its members, and I will always make sure to approach any matter before the board with that in mind.

I have experience in several areas that helps my understanding of board business.  I currently am involved in our county 4-H sheep show, I grew up showing dairy cattle in 4-H, have raised and shown Modena pigeons extensively,  I  am currently a member of Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Association, serve on the show committee for the 2011 MSSBA Shetland show, and am a member of Argylian Society of Knitters.
I am currently a board members for the Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Association and a member of the Green County Sheep Producers.

If elected to the NASSA board, I promise to always be open, honest and treat all members with respect.
Thank you for your consideration.