DENVER, Colo. - Four distinguished U.S. sheep industry members were recognized for their industry contributions at an award luncheon held Jan. 28, 2005, at the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI)/National Lamb Feeders Association Convention in Reno, Nev.

Valerie Karikomi, of Westerville, Ohio, was presented with the 2005 ASI Environmental Stewardship Award. Karikomi is owner/manager of Jorgenson farms, which began with a small Romney sheep flock and has since developed into a functional management-intensive grazing sheep operation. Conservation practices such as creek bed buffers, livestock watering systems that preserve water quality and nutrient management plans that enhance conservation efforts all are part of the 65-acre urban farm near Columbus.

In addition to its outstanding conservation practices, Jorgenson Farms provides the Westerville community with outreach, education and awareness of Ohio agriculture, having hosted thousands of school-age children.

The ASI Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes those individuals actively involved in sheep production, who have shown an extraordinary commitment to caring for natural resources, thereby enhancing the environment.

Receiving the 2005 ASI Shepherd’s Voice Award for Print Media was Cat Urbigkit of Pinedale, Wyo. Urbigkit is known for her articles on western-related issues such as the use of guard dogs for livestock protection, domestic and big horn sheep interaction and federal permit actions. Her articles have appeared in the Sublette Examiner, a weekly newspaper she co-owns, as well as the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and other periodicals. She recently released her first children’s book, titled “Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep.”

Work done by Urbigkit led to the establishment of the Big Horn Sheep-Domestic Sheep Working Group, which recently completed a report for the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission, Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas and Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal.

In addition to raising sheep and writing and editing, Urbigkit is active in the Sublette County Predatory Animal Board and the Wyoming Farm Bureau.

The Shepherd’s Voice Award recognizes outstanding, year-long coverage of the U.S. sheep industry.

Honored with the 2005 ASI McClure Silver Ram Award were Lee and Joan Jarvis of Spanish Fork, Utah. The Jarvis’s accomplishments are many. They have: (1) developed a foundation flock of Columbia sheep that are recognized nationwide as a leading source of quality genetics for both commercial and seedstock flocks; (2) traveled nationwide promoting sheep, wool and related products; and (3) provided leadership at both the state and national level via involvement in the Utah Wool Growers Association, American Sheep Industry Association and other groups. In addition, Lee has served as a leading judge of all sheep breeds -- evaluating them based on their ability to work in seedstock and commercial settings.

The McClure Silver Ram Award recognizes sheep producers who have made substantial contributions to the sheep industry and its organizations in their state, region or nation.

Receiving the Camptender Award was Bob Gilbert, of Helena, Mont. Gilbert has served as the state executive of the Montana WoolGrowers Association for 30 years. During that time he has conducted numerous ag-related radio interviews while the Montana state legislature is in session; served as editor of the Montana Woolgrower Magazine; and worked on key programs, such as the Montana Sheep Institute and Joe Skeen Rangeland Program.

Gilbert is recognized nationally as the premier sheep industry lobbyist on behalf of all U.S. sheep producers on far-reaching programs including the Wool Trust Fund and Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program.

The Camptender Award recognizes industry contributions from a professional in a position or field related to the sheep industry and its organizations.

ASI is a national organization supported by 42 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of nearly 67,000 sheep producers.

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Source: American Sheep Industry
February 4, 2005

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