USSA Mission Statement
"To define, register, promote and improve the Suffolk breed to provide leadership for the advancement and future of the entire U.S. Sheep Industry"USSA Vision Statement
"To be the most innovative, value adding, member-driven sheep breed organization for an evolving U.S. Sheep Industry""Directors/Staff
These are your representatives. You have entrusted to them, individually and as a group, the responsibility of operating your Association effectively and efficiently. A task not taken lightly. They not only welcome, but seek your input and opinions. Every thought is a contribution. So please be active in your Association.Members who would like to run for an open USSA District Director position should submit a written intent by August 1st. The intent to can be emailed, faxed or mailed to the USSA Office, phone calls are not accepted. Also, please review the eligibility requirement in the USSA Bylaws under Article V. Directors.
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Dennis Sorensen - (exp. 2027)
East District
1291 E 3200 N
Chebanse, IL 60992
815-450-8722
[email protected]

Jack Blattner - (exp. 2027)
West District
6957 Robinson Rd.
Kuna, ID 83634
208-859-0111
[email protected]

East District
79 Stone Mill Dam Rd.
Brandon, VT 05733
717-246-2416
[email protected]

East District
9050 N 675 W
Thorntown, IN 46071
765-490-4260
[email protected]

West District
7933 Jahn Rd.
Dixon, CA 95620
707-592-6725
[email protected]

East District
3500 E CR 700 N
Eaton, IN 47338
765-749-0287
[email protected]

West District
41438 185th Ave.
Kilkenny, MN 56052
612-963-4629
[email protected]

East District
501 Knightly Mill Rd.
Mt. Sidney, VA 24467
540-820-4927
[email protected]

West District
33564 Hwy E 34
Castana, IA 51010
712-420-2181
[email protected]

West District
908 525th Ave.
Montezuma, IA 50171
641-891-4381
[email protected]

West District
790 Cemetery Hill Road SE
Jefferson, OR 97352
541-908-4977
[email protected]

East District
399 Indian Ridge Road
Greenville, VA 24440
540-292-9353
[email protected]
USSA District Map
= West District
= East District
USSA Districts updated effective Fall 2024 membership vote (bylaw amendment).
USSA Districts are based on the number of voting memberships. USSA districts were rebalanced in 2022.
Committees
Bylaws
Chair: John Scott
Committee Members: Dennis Sorensen, Bill Fulton
Junior
Chair: Chris Auville
Committee Members: Isaac Lewis
Education
Chair: Dennis Sorensen
Committee Members: Bill Zwyers, Lloyd McCabe, Jack Blattner, Nancy Burton
Breed Improvement
Chair: Bill Zwyers
Committee Members: Jack Blattner, Lloyd McCabe, Michael Jensen, Chase Carson, Joe Emenheiser, Isaac Swortzel, Jay Harris, Val Slack, Case Rundel, John Baglien, Joe Emenheiser
Chair: John Scott
Committee Members: Dennis Sorensen, Bill Fulton
Junior
Chair: Chris Auville
Committee Members: Isaac Lewis
Education
Chair: Dennis Sorensen
Committee Members: Bill Zwyers, Lloyd McCabe, Jack Blattner, Nancy Burton
Breed Improvement
Chair: Bill Zwyers
Committee Members: Jack Blattner, Lloyd McCabe, Michael Jensen, Chase Carson, Joe Emenheiser, Isaac Swortzel, Jay Harris, Val Slack, Case Rundel, John Baglien, Joe Emenheiser
Event
Chair: Diane Russell
Committee Members: Bill Fulton, Jeremy Geske, Chris Auville, Brenda Reau, John Baglien, Michael Jensen, Isaac Lewis, John Scott
Marketing & Outreach
Chair: Kathy Krafka Harkema
Jack Blattner, Case Rundel, Jay Harris, Stephan Jarmen, Val Slack, Cassandra Skal
Budget/Business Development
Chair: Carol Heupel
Committee Members: John Scott
Hall of Fame
Chair: Dennis Sorensen
Committee Members: Wayne Skartvedt and Randy Hodges
Chair: Diane Russell
Committee Members: Bill Fulton, Jeremy Geske, Chris Auville, Brenda Reau, John Baglien, Michael Jensen, Isaac Lewis, John Scott
Marketing & Outreach
Chair: Kathy Krafka Harkema
Jack Blattner, Case Rundel, Jay Harris, Stephan Jarmen, Val Slack, Cassandra Skal
Budget/Business Development
Chair: Carol Heupel
Committee Members: John Scott
Hall of Fame
Chair: Dennis Sorensen
Committee Members: Wayne Skartvedt and Randy Hodges
Office Staff

P.O. Box 121 Holland, Iowa 50642
Phone: 641-684-5291
Fax: 734-335-7646
Email: [email protected]
USSA Strategic Plan
In 2016 the USSA Board of Directors met for a strategic planning session as a follow-up to the 2013 strategic plan. The discussion was impassioned, productive, and included feedback solicited from the membership prior to the retreat. The entire plan can be encapsulated by the general theme of "Increasing Registered Suffolk Market Share." The strategic outcomes can be arranged within 4 goal areas, as follows:- Breed Improvement a) Expand production database, b) Create and disseminate educational materials for Suffolk stakeholders, c) Sponsor programs and competitions that reward functionality and genotypes, and d) Establish and enhance industry partnerships.
- Promotion a) Improve internal communications, and b) Enhance outreach.
- Financial Viability a) Explore providing registration services for other sheep breeds, b) Implement timely budgeting, c) Increase membership, d) Assess member needs, e) Recognize members' longevity, f) Identify new member prospects, and g) Create benefits for supporters and commercial buyers.
- Youth Development a) Review current programs, b) Add youth section to USSA Newsletter c) Increase Suffolk breed involvement at livestock judging contests, and d) Encourage participation in NSIP youth program.
USSA Board Meeting Minutes
2024
- USSA Board of Directors November 4 Meeting (11.4.24)
- USSA Board of Directors November 4 Monthly Meeting (11.4.24)
- USSA Board of Directors October 14 Meeting (10.14.24)
- USSA Board of Directors September 9 Meeting (9.9.24)
- USSA Board of Directors August 19 Meeting (8.19.24)
- USSA Board of Directors August 12 Meeting (8.12.24)
- USSA Board of Directors July 8 Meeting (7.8.24)
- USSA Board of Directors May 13 Meeting (5.13.24)
- USSA Board of Directors April 8 Meeting (4.8.24)
- USSA Board of Directors March 11 Meeting (3.11.24)
- USSA Board of Directors February 12 Meeting (2.12.24)
2023
- USSA Board of Directors December 11 Meeting (12.11.23)
- USSA Board of Directors November 6 Meeting (11.6.23)
- USSA Board of Directors October 16 Meeting (10.16.23)
- USSA Board of Directors September 11 Meeting (9.11.23)
- USSA Board of Directors August 14 Meeting (8.14.23)
- USSA Board of Directors July 10 Meeting (7.10.23)
- USSA Board of Directors June 19 Meeting (65.19.23)
- USSA Board of Directors May 25 Meeting (5.25.23)
- USSA Board of Directors May 8 Meeting (5.8.23)
- USSA Board of Directors April 10 Meeting (4.10.23)
- USSA Board of Directors March 29 Meeting (3.29.23)
- USSA Board of Directors March 13 Meeting (3.13.23)
- USSA Board of Directors January 9 Meeting (1.9.23)
- USSA Board of Directors Febuary 13 Meeting (2.13.23)
2022
- USSA Board of Directors December 12 Meeting (12.12.22)
- USSA Board of Directors November 21 Meeting (11.21.22)
- USSA Board of Directors October 29-30 Meeting (10.29-30.22)
- USSA Board of Directors October 17 Meeting (10.17.22)
- USSA Board of Directors October 10 Meeting (10.10.22)
- USSA Board of Directors September Meeting (9.12.22)
- USSA Board of Directors August Meeting (8.15.22)
- USSA Board of Directors July Meeting (7.11.22)
- USSA Board of Directors June Meeting (6.13.22)
- USSA Board of Directors May Meeting (5.9.22)
- USSA Board of Directors April Meeting (4.11.22)
- USSA Board of Directors March Meeting (3.14.22)
- USSA Board of Directors February Meeting (2.14.22)
- USSA Board of Directors January Meeting (1.10.22)
2021
- USSA Board of Directors August Meeting (8.9.21)
- USSA Board of Directors July Meeting (7.12.21)
- USSA Board of Directors June Meeting (6.21.21)
- USSA Board of Directors May Meeting (5.10.21)
- USSA Board of Directors April Meeting (4.12.21)
- USSA Board of Directors March (Special) Meeting (3.22.21)
- USSA Board of Directors March (Regular) Meeting (3.8.21)
- USSA Board of Directors February Meeting (2.8.21)
- USSA Board of Directors January Meeting (1.11.21)
2020
- USSA Board of Directors December Meeting (12.14.20)
- USSA Board of Directors November Meeting (11.10.20)
- USSA Board of Directors November Meeting (11.02.20)
- USSA Board of Directors October Meeting (10.12.20)
- USSA Board of Directors September Meeting (9.14.20)
- USSA Board of Directors August Meeting (8.10.20)
- USSA Board of Directors July Meeting (7.13.20)
- USSA Board of Directors June Meeting (6.8.20)
- USSA Board of Directors May Meeting (5.11.20)
- USSA Board of Directors April Meeting (4.13.20)
- USSA Board of Directors March Meeting (3.9.20)
- USSA Board of Directors February Meeting (2.10.20)
- USSA Board of Directors January Meeting (1.13.20)
2019
- USSA Board of Directors 2019/2020 Board Meeting (11.18.19)
- USSA Board of Directors 2018/2020 Board Meeting (11.18.19)
- USSA Board of Directors October Meeting (10.23.19)
- USSA Board of Directors September Meeting (9.11.19)
- USSA Board of Directors August Meeting (8.14.19)
- USSA Board of Directors July Meeting (7.26.19)
- USSA Board of Directors June Meeting (6.12.19)
- USSA Board of Directors May Meeting (5.8.19)
- USSA Board of Directors April Meeting (4.10.19)
- USSA Board of Directors March Meeting (3.13.19)
- USSA Board of Directors February Meeting (2.13.19)
- USSA Board of Directors January Meeting (1.9.19)
2018
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting 2018/2019 (11.10.18)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting 2017/2018 (11.10.18)
- October USSA Board of Directors Meeting (10.24.18)
- August USSA Board of Directors Meeting (8.29.18)
- June USSA Board of Directors Meeting (6.28.18)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (05.02.18)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (3.6.18)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (1.10.18)
2017
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.14.17)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting 2017/2018 (11.14.17)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (8.29.17)
- June USSA Board of Directors Meeting (6.22.17)
2016
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2016/2017 Board (11.15.16)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2015/2016 Board (11.15.16)
- USSA Annual Meeting - 2015/2016 Board (11.15.16)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (11.1.16)
- USSA August Board of Directors Meeting (8.31.16)
- USSA June Board of Directors Meeting (6.23.16)
- USSA May Board of Directors Meeting (5.26.16)
- USSA April Board of Directors Meeting (4.17.16)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (1.13.16)
2015
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.15.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2015/2016 Board (11.15.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2013/2014 Board (11.15.15)
- USSA October Meeting (10.19.15)
- USSA June Meeting (6.25.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (4.30.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (3.18.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - New Board (11.15.15)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - Old Board (11.15.15)
2014
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.17.14)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (10.23.14)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting (7.28.14)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting (6.26.14)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (2.27.14)
2013
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.19.13)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - New Board (11.18.13)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - Old Board (11.18.13)
- USSA October 2013 Minutes (10.29.13)
- USSA August 2013 Minutes (8.14.13)
- USSA May 2013 Minutes (5.19.13)
- USSA March 2013 Conference Call (3.11.13)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (1.8.13)
2012
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.12.12)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - New Board (11.10.12)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - Old Board (11.10.12)
- USSA Board of Directors (Sedalia) Meeting Minutes (6.28.12)
- USSA Board of Directors (Conference Call) Meeting Minutes (4.25.12)
- USSA Board of Directors (Conference Call) Meeting Minutes (2.27.12)
2011
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (12.19.11)
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.14.11)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - New Board (11.12.11)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - Old Board (11.12.11)
- USSA Board of Directors Conference Call (9.14.11)
- June 2011 Meeting (6.22.11)
- USSA February Meeting (2.15.11)
2010
- USSA Annual Meeting (11.16.10)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2010/2011 Board (11.16.10)
- USSA Board of Directors Meeting - 2009/20010 Board (11.16.10)