Summaries
of Projects Financed by
the NLPA Sheep & Goat Fund
See below for a full list of project descriptions or choose
a category
Project #
2 -- Sheep Dairy
This loan was established
with a sheep dairy in upstate New York to purchase milking equipment.
The dairy recently began its first full season of milk production.
The main goals of the dairy are to be milking 250 ewes and producing
over 75,000 pounds of Grade A milk in 2003. The sheep milk will
be bagged and frozen in an on-site, walk-in, blast freezer, and
then trucked to the Albany-area cheesemaker. Market lambs are sold
locally to New York State consumers.
The domestic market
for sheep-milk products is extremely strong, particularly in the
Northeast. The dairy, which is operated by an individual with extensive
experience as a shepherd and dairy farm worker, has contracted to
sell its milk to a New York State cheesemaker. There has been considerable
interest in the dairy among (cow) dairy farmers in the region, where
many are looking for financially viable alternatives to traditional
dairying. The success of this sheep dairy project will serve as
a model for those looking for a profitable alternative to the marginally
viable dairy farms of the region.
Project
#3 -- Sheep & Goat Slaughter Facility
This loan was established
with a slaughter facility for lambs and goats in Pennsylvania, which
is using funds for building and equipment upgrades in order to increase
the facility's slaughter capacity.
The facility has been
in operation since 1986 and since then the owners reported an increase
in sales. The facility's customer base is in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh,
New Jersey and New York City areas. The facility is also the sole
supplier of premium lamb carcasses and primal parts to a business
that processes value-added lamb products.
The funded project consists
of two-phases. First an additional 1550 square feet will be added
to the slaughter area. With this increased area, the facility owners
will be able to install an inverted pelting system in the future
without having to conduct major renovations. The second phase of
the project will be to incorporate a new 1660 square foot facility
for processing case ready/cryovaced lamb products.
Project
#4 -- Lamb Processing/Fabricating Operation
This loan was established
with a lamb processing/fabricating operation in Pennsylvania to
expand its physical building and add equipment to increase its volume
of high quality, branded lamb products sold to high-end restaurants.
The company purchases
contracted lamb carcasses from a slaughter facility and processes
them into a consistent product that is geared toward five-star eating
establishments in areas such as New York, Pittsburgh, New Orleans
and San Francisco. The facility owner's goal is to provide an added
value product to consumers, which will in turn reward the farmers
for producing a better, more consistent product.
The new building and
processing equipment have allowed the company to triple its production
quantity. The expansion has increased the company's ability to commit
to processing a greater number of contracted lambs.
Project #5 --
Wool Marketing and Supply Cooperative
This loan was established
to allow a wool marketing and supply cooperative for 11,000 sheep
producer/owners located in 25 states to secure warehousing facilities
at several locations, inventory wool and sheep supplies, and secure
working capital to maintain operating levels.
The
funds will help the cooperative in several ways. First, it will
allow the cooperative to reduce operating expenses and improve the
return to producers in its consignment program. Second, the cooperative
will be able to continue to be a major part of the domestic wool
industry; the cooperative marketed 9 percent of the U.S. clip in
1998. Third, the cooperative can maintain its state-of-the-art wool
grading facility. Fourth, through the grading line in Ohio and Kansas,
producers can individually receive a complete grading report showing
what they are producing, allowing producers with lots too small
for individual producer laboratory testing to be recognized for
the wool they produce and be paid a higher price than the producer
who throws wool in a bag without preparation. Finally, the funds
prevent the possible closure of two of the cooperative's western
warehouses, which would leave many producers with only one bid for
their wool throughout the Midwest.
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Project #6/7/8
-- Lamb Breeding Operations
Three lamb-breeding
operations in Western Nebraska have secured loan funds in order
to increase their operations to better supply replacement Polypay
ewes for the out-of-season lamb production market. The combined
goal of the three projects is to perfect the genetics in these sheep
that have the capability of lambing out of season and have the lean
carcass qualities that are considered desirable in today's market.
The operations noted two challenges facing the issue of out-of-season
lambing. First, the continual decline of the number of sheep producers
in the United States and, second, the limited availability of flocks
possessing the genetics to supply lamb on a year round basis. The
loan monies are being used to purchase equipment and facilities
to achieve the rapid expansion needed to meet the potential market
demand.
Project #9
-- Scouring Train for a Wool Hat Company
This
loan was used to purchase state-of-the-art wool scouring equipment
and installation of such will allow a Texas hat company to replace
1940 vintage equipment. This acquisition will allow them to keep
the first stage of wool processing, scouring, competitive in this
country, allowing the production of the best quality.
Loan funds were used
to purchase equipment that will add value to the operation in several
ways. First, the grease recovery plant will allow the company to
extract the lanolin and sell it, instead of disposing of it. Second,
the equipment will produce a far better product through better blending,
better prescouring dirt and veg removal, and more even bowl temperatures
and water flow, which will allow for better cleansing of the fiber,
heavier squeeze presses and a more precise moisture control system
on the dryer, which will allow for more even moisture content. All
of these features are critical to compete with the rest of the world
in today's challenging market place.
Modernized scouring
equipment assures U.S. wool producers of having a domestic processor,
thereby adding value to the marketability of their clips.
Project
#10 -- Goat Dairy
This loan was established
to help a goat dairy in north central New Mexico to complete USDA
Grade A certification and become a viable cheese-making operation.
The facility had been working toward meeting this certification
for the past four years, during which it has acquired a Grade A
qualifying dairy goat herd, buildings and equipment and built the
financial stability to pursue certification.
With the loan from NLPA's
Sheep & Goat Fund, the facility will be able to complete all
of the certification requirements within a few months and would
be ready for the certification inspections.
Upon certification of
Grade A status, the dairy will become a viable cheese-making operation,
opening the door to a market where demand is high, and local (New
Mexico) supply is extremely limited.
Project #11 -- Lamb and Goat Meat Fabrication
Plant
This loan was established
with a Texas processing and fabrication facility to fund the purchase
of equipment needed for fabrication of lamb and goat carcasses and
the construction of the building to house the fabrication plant.
The fabrication addition
is a 10,000 square foot building that includes coolers, freezers,
a fabrication retail room and a loading dock. The building will
also house the latest in packing and carcass fabrication equipment.
This new fabrication
facility will allow for the development of new products by the company
and will increase sales of American lamb by making a wider variety
of products from each carcass available, thus providing more products
to the consumer. With case-ready packaging, retailers will be provided
with an attractive product for display, which is appealing to the
customer and will have a shelf life superior to traditional packaging
procedures at the retail level.
Project
#12 -- Sheep Cheese Processor
This loan provided
funding for an upgrade in milking equipment, cheese processing and
handling equipment and road access to the cheese ripening cave,
as well as, working capitol to support higher operating costs until
financial benefits of the expansion are received and refinancing
of current debt at a considerably reduced rate. This cheese company
produces and markets a trademarked product, a specialty sheep cheese
widely regarded as one of the best cheeses in the country. They
have received numerous awards since 1993, most recently, the prestigious
"Best of Show" award at the 2000 American Cheese Society's
competition in Sonoma, CA and best U.S. Sheep Cheese in the 2001
U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. They work with a guild of five
farms in Vermont and New Hampshire to produce their award-winning
cheeses.
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Project
#13 -- Lamb Feeder / Processor
This loan provided funding
for upgrade in feed handling and processing equipment and refinanced
current retrofitting of barn facilities including feed processing
and handling equipment. The funding will allow this operation to
function with a lower cost structure and cash flow more efficiently.
This operation works in cooperation with two other vertically integrated
systems, currently funded through the NLPA Sheep and Goat Fund,
to provide a high quality lamb fed for specific established markets.
Aligning with these established processors and producers of high
quality finished lamb, allows them to produce a brand name, high
quality product in an economically positive environment. Their goal
is to increase the demand for a better tasting, high quality lamb,
thus improving the interest in domestic lamb production and sales.
Project
#14 -- Animal Damage Control
This loan provided funding
for purchase of an aircraft, needed repairs to the aircraft being
purchased and repair to one of the existing aircraft currently owned
by the association. One of the services the association provides
to the industry is an integrated animal damage control program in
cooperation with USDA/APHIS - Wildlife Service. The aircraft owned
by the association are leased to USDA/APHIS - Wildlife Service through
a cooperative agreement. All of these aircraft are outfitted for
predator control. The association's aircraft are well maintained
and are top rated aircraft for their particular design and use.
This program has been in existence since 1982 with the latest cooperative
agreement dated June 1998. This program has proven to be very beneficial
to Idaho lamb and wool producers with revenues received from the
leasing of these aircraft covering all costs related with the program.
Project
#15 -- Fiber Mill
The funding
received by this fiber mill will be used for building, equipment
and working capitol to expand processing capabilities of the mill.
The operators plan to help smaller rural farmers process wool in
amounts of 50 pounds or less. By expanding their operation to handle
38,000 pounds per year it will be possible to process wool at a
cost that makes wool profitable in today's global market. This expansion
and upgrade will allow the mill to become a place for universities,
farms and cooperatives to study as a model for value-added agriculture.
They hope to develop new innovative processing and continually share
this technology, along with best practices, to smaller farmers in
the wool industry.
Project #16 -- Wool
Warehouse
The funding received
by this wool warehousing and marketing facility will be used to
refinance existing financing and to establish a line of credit to
be used in the normal operations in marketing wool of the producers
using the services of this facility. The primary trade area served
by this market includes Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and portions
of North Dakota and Nebraska. They are the only remaining producer-driven
warehouse left in this entire region. The anticipated volume for
2002 is 5million pounds, an approximate increase of 1.5 million
pounds over 2001. The funding of this loan will have a far reaching
influence on the financial stability and profitability of the regional
sheep numbers for wool production. In additional to warehousing
and marketing, this operation offers wool quality improvement, grading
and core testing, storage, market information and export capability.
Due to the lower interest rate acquired through this funding not
only will their cash flow situation be improved but also the staying
power to allow this group to remain in the wool business will be
strengthened.
Project
#17 -- Carding Mill
This loan will provide funding for building expansion and purchase
of equipment to increase the fiber processing capabilities of this
for-profit carding mill. This mill specializes in a niche market
serving small flock owners. They are able to process small individual
quantities of fiber into batts, roving and webs. Their services
satisfy a growing market demand in the United States. The portion
of this niche market where they concentrate their efforts are those
small flock operators that demand excellence in their fibers and
are willing to pay well for this excellence. They are able to process
fiber into a usable and or marketable condition. The goal of this
fiber mill, based on this funding, is to increase their fiber preparation
capacity and increase their carding capacity in order to increase
their pound output and their revenue.
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Project
#18 -- Value-Added Goat Meat Processing Facility
This loan will provide
funding for the construction of a building to process value-added
goat meat products. This company began leading the industry in the
introduction of goat meat, in July 2002, introducing three styles
that are preferred by the American consumer; ground goat meat, ground
goat patties and goat steaks. NLPA approved a loan to this company
in December 2002. Construction of the facility is scheduled for
completion in the summer of 2003.
Project
#19 -- Fiber Mill
The funding received by this start-up fiber mill, in northern Maine,
will be used for building renovation, purchasing fiber processing
equipment and working capital to establish a mill that will process
small lots of wool according to customer specifications. The operators
plan to help smaller rural farmers process wool for just roving,
into yarn or actually to produce a finished woven product. The short-term
goal is to handle locally processed fiber and fiber sent to the
mill from across the country. Within only a few months the owners
anticipates employing individuals from the local community. Looking
ahead they plan to establish the mill as a tourist stop, to include
tours of the mill and a storefront to market the woven products,
such as scarves, sweaters and blankets. This will be a boost to
the local economy. As the business continues to grow they plan to
spin off a home-based cottage industry to weave products.
Project
#20 -- Case-Ready Lamb Processing Facility
The funding received by this lamb processor in Iowa was used to
expand exiting facilities by 10,000 feet in order to house the plant's
case-ready program. Funds were also used to purchase case-ready
processing equipment in order to meet the growing demand for case-ready
meats in the Midwest. The company has more than 100 employees throughout
the harvesting and processing facility; five to 10 were added as
a result of the case-ready expansion. The company is one of the
largest lamb processors in the United States. It is partially owned
by lamb producers - there are 13 owner/producers. Another 500 producers
in 14 states provide 430,000 live lambs annually. By controlling
the product from live lamb to case-ready cuts, the company can give
more detailed feedback to its producer-owners.
Project
#21 -- Genetics Program
This loan has helped an Arizona sheep breeder become a producer
of superior genetics (sheep, embryos, artificial insemination, and
semen) for sale to an international market. Karoo Genetics, based
in Scottsdale, Ariz., was founded in 1995 for the purpose of bringing
top quality meat sheep genetics to the North American sheep industry.
The company's primary focus has been the importation and production
of Dorper sheep.The loan with the Sheep & Goat Fund was established
about 18 months ago and has been used to further develop the ranch
and to enhance the embryo program. Karoo Genetics has also donated
Dorper rams to several universities including, Wyoming, Texas A
& M and Chico, Calif., to be utilized in research crossbreeding
programs designed to improve USA meat sheep carcass quality.
Project
#22 -- Livestock Merchandising Center
This loan will help the
University of Tennessee Meat Goat and Sheep Education and Research
Center at the Livestock Teaching Center of the Department of Agriculture
and Natural Resources at the Martin campus in completing construction
of a Livestock Merchandising Center dedicated to the public merchandising
of all species of livestock, especially sheep and goats, and to
establish a teaching and research complex for sheep and meat goats.
The project is primarily directed at research, education and outreach
to assist producers in developing production programs and marketing
strategies to enhance the sheep and meat goat industry in Tennessee
and the surrounding region.
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Project
#23 -- Goat Dairy Product Expansion
This funding
will be used by a LLC formed by a group of Grade A goat dairies
in Michigan to purchase an existing facility to accommodate future
growth and purchasing and installing equipment needed to allow for
expansion of its product lines from high quality cheese and yogurt
products to include butter and ice cream. The impact of this project
on the goat industry in Michigan is evidenced by the expansion in
the number of farms shipping their milk to this facility for processing
and the ever-growing demand for the quality based, value-priced
goat dairy products. They market through distributors and also market
directly to some select stores and chains. Their niche market are
health conscious shoppers who are aware that they are choosing to
support small-scale farms and upscale gourmet product buyers who
choose to buy the best regardless of cost.
Project
#24 -- Goat Association
The a breed-specific
goat association is working to take a leadership role in an effort
to consolidate the Boer goat industry. They hope to bring together
all of the Boer goat associations with the goal of forming a united
front to build a strong industry with a successful and viable future.
The funds received will be used to finance their headquarters building
and equip this association to effectively use their newly acquired
state-of-the-art registry program. They also plan to incorporate
additional programs of promotion, sales and services for members.
Project
#25 -- Sheep Meat Supplier
Funds for this
loan will be used to create the infrastructure to develop a business
plan for a sheep operation in Oklahoma. The operation is the largest
sheep or goat operation in two counties, according to the county's
Farm Service Agency’s County Executive Director. This business
is located in an agricultural area that is approximately 98 percent
cattle ranches. After extensive research it was determined that
there was a need to develop a sheep business to supplying a whole
carcass product for a niche market in this area of the state. The
demand for this product is growing in the area especially because
of the growing ethnic communities in the Dallas area. They have
achieved a level of production where they supply a desirable, marketable
product that is name recognizable.
Project
#26 -- Weed Control and Fire Protection
This loan was
made to a Montana-based business developed using sheep to perform
the much-needed service of weed control and fire protection. As
the life style in Montana changes from farms and ranches to a more
urban setting the need to control noxious weeds and undesirable
grasses without the constant use of chemical herbicides is constant.
This service is available to subdivisions, community parks, and
any small acreage where there is a weed problem. This funding will
be used to purchase and maintain fencing and equipment and increase
the scope of their business. This business works closely with local
weed boards, homeowner groups, county governing groups, Montana
State University, county extension agents, Montana Wool Growers
Association and the Montana Department of Wildlife and Parks to
determine where this service can be most effective. Because of the
urban locations of where this service operates they are in a position
to educate the public on the sheep industry.
Project
#27 -- Custom Fiber Processor
A custom fiber
processing business in California is using funds to enhance the
service they provide to fiber animal producers and hand spinners
by taking smaller lots of fiber and providing scouring, picking,
carding and custom blending of fleece sent to us to process. It
is their goal is to provide these value-added services to give their
customers a substantial gain in their quality fiber product that
will allow them to take their processed fiber and enter new markets
with access to more customers and therefore realizing a greater
profit margin.
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Project
#28 -- Goat Dairy
Funds are being used by an award-winning goat cheese business in
California. After experiencing several years of remarkable growth
this company decided to continue their growth and stake out the
position of market leader in the fast expanding goat cheese market.
This funding will be used to decrease their dependence on foreign
curd by letting them establish a dependable, expanded supply of
local and regional goat milk and also, by increasing their capacity
to make in-house curd. They plan to grow the market for goat cheese
and increase their share of the expanding market and in addition
raise the general awareness of goats and their products, especially
cheese, by establishing an educational goat farm and creamery.
Project
#29 -- Wool Marketing
Funds are being used by an wool marketing association in Utah to
purchase and renovate a new warehouse for its operations. The associationhandles
wool from eight states in the Northwest. Their producers range from
small farm flocks to large commercial operations. The association
sells wool to several buyers in the United States and has sold directly
overseas.
Project
#30 -- Sheep Operation
A sheep operation in Illinois is using funds to purchase equipment,
expand its feeding facilities and to increase its working capital.
The business is recycling hog facilities and constructing hoop buildings
to increase the size of the operation.
Project
#31 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Vermont is using funds to expand its existing facility
and product line in order to produce ripened goat chees in addition
to the fresh goat cheese products currently sold. The project includes
construction of a state-of-the-art cheese manufacturing facility,
the launc of three new aged goat cheeses and development costs associated
with increasing the milk supply and prices to farmers.
Project
#32 -- Feed Company
A feed operation in Wyoming is using the Fund to consolidate debt
and enhance business operations. The company manufactures primarily
alfalfa pellets that are in high demand with local lamb feeding
operations.
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Project
#33 -- Meat Pie Production
A food processing company in Utah is using funds to introduce Lamb
Aussie-style Pies using sub-primal cuts of lamb (ground lamb) and
primal cuts of lamb as a Ready-to-Eat product for marketing, sales
and distribution on a local, regional and national basis. Capital
is being used to purchase automated equipment and to provide working
capital to increase its market share on a national level.
Project
#34 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Wisconsin is using the Funds to purchase additional
equipment such as a milk pump, a plate cooler, labels, bottles and
containers for new products. The company is expanding its dairy
production capabilities and is involved with developing chocolate
milk and different styles of cheese, kefi, and frozen yogurt.
Project
#35 -- Lamb & Goat Processing Plant
A group of producers in Kentucky formed a business to purchase a
recently renovated USDA meat processing plant. NLPA Sheep &
Goat Funds have been used to help with the purchase of the plant.
The business will focus on identifiying needs within the Hispanic
and Muslim consumers in the area that are not currently being met.
It will also focus on working with local producers to help add value
to their products.
Project
#36 -- Risk Management Company
A company in Colorado used funds to develop a risk management tool
previously unavailable to sheep producers. Lamb price insurance
is offered by the company to protect sheep and lamb producers against
widely fluctuating prices.
Project
#37 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in California used funds to remodel existing barns
to increase feeding space, purchase feeding equipment, construct
a barn for feed storage, and to build a shelter structure for livestock.
The expansion of facilities allows the dairy to increase production
significantly.
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Project
#38 -- Lamb Finishing Operation
A farm in Ohio used funds to enhance its lamb finishing operation.
The farm has a marketing relationship with custom processing companies
and needs to maintain an adequate supply of lambs and working capital
to grow this relationship and better meet the demand for custom-fed
lambs.
Project
#39 -- Goat Dairy
A goat dairy in Oregon used the fund to construct a Grade-A dairy
goat milking parlor able to accommodate up to 100 mikers and processing
area; the installation and customization of equiment, the reconstructon
of an existing well and operating expenses. The company hopes to
enhance the goat milk market in its local area, but needs to have
a larger facility to provide an adequate supply to the area's needs.
Project
#40 -- Wool Processing
A company in Wyoming is using funds to establish an early state
wool processing facility.The objective of the company is to enable
producers to add value to their wool, thereby increasing their profitablity
and sustaining the rural way of life. The facility will offer the
following services/products: wool scouring, blending, combing, carding,
spinning, top, roving and yarn and is pursuing non-traditional uses
of wool.
Project #41 -- Lamb & Goat Feedlot
This loan was established with a goat and lamb feedlot in Tennessee. The Tennessee goat/sheep industry needs a facility such as this because some producers, for whatever reason, lack the ability to, or means to market the most desirable size. Lighter weight animals will be purchased and carried to a more demanding weight.
The funds are being used to build a large barn consisting of 30 inside pens with each pen having access to outside paddocks. In addition, large creep feeders, hay mangers and troughs will be acquired.
The advantage of this facility is that the animals will be on hand when the demand is peak, which will maximize profits. One other advantage is the ability to purchase animals when supply is heavy and demand is low, thereby creating a more stable market for area producers.
Project #42 -- Wool Washable Process Plant
This loan was established with a sheep company to bring a wool washable process to the United States. The funds will be used for approximately half of the payment of a second-hand wool shrink resistant treatment equipment line.
This process will help the U.S. wool producer by making it easier to process washable wool products in the U.S. and increase the use of American wool by U.S. military. The process will help obtain further military wool product business, support domestic wool mills and processors, build new business and eliminate the risk of losing current knitwear business to the military due to lack of dependable shrink process in the United States.
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Project #43 -- Lamb Cooperative
This loan was established with a Cooperative in the lamb industry. The Cooperative was formed to allow lamb producers the opportunity to participate in a vertically integrated lamb fabrication and distribution model.
The primary use of the funds will allow the Cooperative to significantly reduce annual debt service requirements over the next several years by extending maturity date and reducing interest rates.
The advantage of this loan is that by reducing debt, and thus freeing up more working capital, the Cooperative will be able to reach out to more producers and potential producers as the opportunities present themselves.
Project #44 -- Sheep Dairy
This loan was established with a family-owned sheep dairy in the Midwest for the purpose of refinancing and enhancing an existing loan. The dairy has been running about 800 head of ewes for the past six to seven years. In order to grow the business and be more efficient, the dairy is trying to alternate the breeding season so they can milk year round.
This dairy has been able to keep back replacement lambs are there are very few dairy sheep in the U.S. and has built its own genetics pool along the way.
The advantage of this facility is that now they are able to build up the genetics and become more selective which in turn makes milking and production more efficient.
Project #45 -- Lamb Processing
This loan was established with a lamb on-farm processing plant. The funds will be used to build the plant which will process meat for weekly fresh lamb stores and restaurants. A commercial kitchen will also be included for value-added lamb products and ready to serve products, which in turn will broaden their customer base.
Project #46 -- Wool Scouring Plant
This loan was established with a wool processing plant in Texas, which is this nation’s only remaining facility that scours U.S. produced wool.
The U.S. sheep industry has faced a variety of issues including shrinking sheep numbers, reduced U.S. and global demand for wool, loss of domestic customers and competition from other countries. This plant is needed because it will assist sheep producers with production, profitability and quality.
The funds will give this plant the opportunity to develop wool blends requested by foreign buyers, and implement initiatives identified to maximize efficiency within the plant so it can once again become globally competitive.
Project #47 – Sheep & Goat Marketing Center
This loan was established with a regional livestock market center in Tennessee. It consists of a 25,000 sq.ft. livestock auction facility situated on a 5 acre road frontage tract. The animals are offered to the buyers in graded co-mingled groups, which has proven to provide several dollars in added value to the sellers and provide a more uniform set of animals to the buyers.
The funds will be used to consolidate out of pocket construction expenses into a long term mortgage, which will follow the best management practices for a solid business plan. The strong demand for market goats and lambs out of this center has encouraged producers in the region to grow and expand their productions.
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Project #48 – Wool Processing Mill
This loan was established with a wool processing mill located in the southeast section of the U.S. This mill will give small scale producers the opportunity to generate a value added product which will help make their sheep operations profitable, rather than selling into wool pools where they are only able to recoup a fraction of the cost of raising the sheep.
The funds will be used to upgrade the current location, as well as to purchase several needed new machines, such as a picker, pin drafter, spinning frame and a skein winder. An appropriate washing set up, which will entail an industrial water heater, sinks, washing machine and drying racks, will also need to be installed.
Project #49 -- Wool Insulation
This loan has helped a wool insulation manufacturer obtain funding for investment in production equipment and facilities, which includes the initial phases of a greatly expanded marketing and research program.
In addition to the relatively high volume utilization of domestic wool in grades that might otherwise be wasted, the operation will create approximately 30 new jobs. These will be family wage opportunities in the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and management areas of the facility.
Project #50 -- Wool Combing Mill
This loan was was established to finance the working capital of a wool combing mill in South Carolina, which entails the purchasing of greasy wool. This is the only wool combing mill in the United States. It is a vital part of the wool processing chain that supplies wool top for commercial and military business.
Project #51 -- Sheep Dairy
This loan was established with a family-owned sheep dairy in Wisconsin. The dairy has been in business since 2009 and is now in a position that in order to grow they need additional sheep housing and livestock. The primary use of the funds will be to purchase a 200-acre farm, construct new sheep housing and improve existing buildings.
The advantage of this facility is that it introduces people to the taste of sheep milk cheese and the benefits of sheep milk, which in turn will help the sheep and goat industry grow. Sheep dairying is a growing niche in Wisconsin, opening the eyes to the possibilities sheep have to offer and creating an alternative to “traditional” dairying .
Project #52 -- Insurance Company
This loan was made to a sheep industry owned insurance company. The funds are necessary for this company to meet the statutory minimums in several of the key states important to the sheep industry.
Project #53 -- Organic Sheep Dairy & Creamery
A sheep dairy in California is using funds to enhance the service and products they provide the consumer. This dairy has been in operation since 2009. It is one of the few organic sheep dairy’s in the United States.
The funds will be used to purchase a pasteurizer, additional milk meters, fencing, shelters and feeders. The addition of meters allows them to record the production of all ewes in one day on a monthly basis. It is of great importance to the overall improvement of the dairy sheep genetics in the US that all producers keep accurate production records. This is necessary so the sheep dairy industry can develop a national registry.
By making improvements to the farm’s productivity and management, the increased production of sheep milk and dairy products will meet the growing demand in the marketplace.
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