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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PresidentDennis Sorensen - (exp. 2027)
East District
1291 E 3200 N
Chebanse, IL 60992
815-450-8722
[email protected]
Vice PresidentJack Blattner - (exp. 2027)
West District
6957 Robinson Rd.
Kuna, ID 83634
208-859-0111
[email protected]
TreasurerCarol Heupel - (exp. 2028)
West District
27488 County Road 5
Weldona, CO 80653
970-768-1291
[email protected]
Diane Russell - (exp. 2026)East District
3500 E CR 700 N
Eaton, IN 47338
765-749-0287
[email protected]
John Scott - (exp. 2028)West District
41438 185th Ave.
Kilkenny, MN 56052
612-963-4629
[email protected]
Chris Auville - (exp. 2028)East District
501 Knightly Mill Rd.
Mt. Sidney, VA 24467
540-820-4927
[email protected]
Michael Jensen - (exp. 2026)West District
33564 Hwy E 34
Castana, IA 51010
712-420-2181
[email protected]
Kathy Krafka Harkema - (exp. 2027)West District
908 525th Ave.
Montezuma, IA 50171
641-891-4381
[email protected]
John Baglien - (exp. 2026)West District
790 Cemetery Hill Road SE
Jefferson, OR 97352
541-908-4977
[email protected]
Isaac Swortzel - (exp. 2027)East District
399 Indian Ridge Road
Greenville, VA 24440
540-292-9353
[email protected]
Victoria Morris - (exp. 2028)East District
6400 Beacon Light Rd.
Whitesburg, TN 37891
423-839-4163
[email protected]
Jay Harris - (exp. 2026)East District
2735 Harris Rd.
Jacksonville, IL 62650
217-473-7285
[email protected]
USSA District Map
= West District
= East District
USSA Districts updated effective Fall 2024 membership vote (bylaw amendment).
Committees
Budget
Carol Heupel - Chair
Michael Jensen
John Scott
John Baglien
Breed Improvement
John Baglien - Chair
Jay Harris
Isaac Swortzel
John Scott
Victoria Morris
Michael Jensen
Case Rundel
Val Slack
Jack Blattner
Bill Zwyers
Junior
Chris Auville - Chair
Isaac Lewis
Betsy MacCauley
Greg Ahart
Jay Harris
Carol Heupel - Chair
Michael Jensen
John Scott
John Baglien
Breed Improvement
John Baglien - Chair
Jay Harris
Isaac Swortzel
John Scott
Victoria Morris
Michael Jensen
Case Rundel
Val Slack
Jack Blattner
Bill Zwyers
Junior
Chris Auville - Chair
Isaac Lewis
Betsy MacCauley
Greg Ahart
Jay Harris
Event
Diane Russell - Chair
Kathy Krafka Harkema
Victoria Morris
Chris Auville
Jay Harris
Jeremy Geske
Isaac Lewis
Jamie Sargent
Brenda Reau
Karen Parsley
Bill Fulton
Marketing and Outreach
Kathy Krafka Harkema - Chair
Isaac Swortzel
Ron Alves
Case Rundel
Jamie Sargent
Stephen Jarman
Val Slack
Jack Blattner
Hall of Fame
Dennis Sorensen - Chair
Wayne Skartvedt
Greg Ahart
Rob Frost
Diane Russell - Chair
Kathy Krafka Harkema
Victoria Morris
Chris Auville
Jay Harris
Jeremy Geske
Isaac Lewis
Jamie Sargent
Brenda Reau
Karen Parsley
Bill Fulton
Marketing and Outreach
Kathy Krafka Harkema - Chair
Isaac Swortzel
Ron Alves
Case Rundel
Jamie Sargent
Stephen Jarman
Val Slack
Jack Blattner
Hall of Fame
Dennis Sorensen - Chair
Wayne Skartvedt
Greg Ahart
Rob Frost
Office Staff
Amanda Everts - Executive SecretaryP.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
2025
- USSA Board of Directors December 8 Meeting (12.08.25)
- USSA Board of Directors November 10 Meeting (11.10.25)
- USSA Board of Directors November 10 Meeting (11.10.25)
- USSA Board of Directors October 13 Meeting (10.13.25)
- USSA Board of Directors September 08 Meeting (9.08.25)
- USSA Board of Directors August 11 Meeting (8.11.25)
- USSA Board of Directors July 14 Meeting (7.14.25)
- USSA Board of Directors May 12 Meeting (5.12.25)
- USSA Board of Directors April 14 Meeting (4.14.25)
- USSA Board of Directors March 10 Meeting (3.10.25)
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)
