The Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) held their annual symposium at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 8, 2005. A wide range of educational topics covering sheep and goats were discussed and the program included a lunch and an evening awards banquet.

The awards banquet recognized the winners of the Pride of the Barn, an award given at the Indiana State Fair. The ISA also bestowed awards on several members with outstanding accomplishments, service or contributions to the sheep industry.

The President?s Award is the only award given solely at the discretion of the ISA President, in recognition of service to some aspect of the sheep industry. Outgoing President, Gail Former, presented this award to George Harrell of Franklin, Indiana. Harrell is a long-time sheep farmer with over 50 years of experience as a sheep and wool judge. He hasn?t missed a state fair since his first in 1946 and is a sought-after contest judge. He?s presided at every county fair in Indiana, at fairs from coast to coast and has even judged a fair in England.

?The service I want to recognize is that towards the ?fringe? elements of the industry,? said Former, ?The 4-H kids, the spinners and weavers, the minor breeds, the novice exhibitor. This individual is always willing to come and talk to 4-H groups, to judge a show or to put on a demonstration. But most of all, this individual makes every exhibitor feel comfortable, even as he or she is being given tips on how to improve what they are doing.?

The second award of the evening, the Flo Benson Friend of the ISA Award, was presented by Robert Benson. This award was set up as a memorial to Benson?s late wife to recognize service and support of the ISA by members of the sheep industry. This year?s recipient, Dave Trotter of Marysville, Indiana, is a member and past president of the ISA along with being a current executive board representative for the American Sheep Industry Association. An Extension Agent in Agriculture and a County Extension Director for nearly 27 years, Trotter is an avid supporter of the ISA. Trotter was recognized for his service to the ISA, working with many committees and programs over the years. According to Benson, ?Dave Trotter does things for the ISA and the Indiana sheep industry without any thoughts of grandeur or recognition for himself.?

The Shepherd of the Year Award was presented next by incoming ISA President, Stanley Poe II. This award is given in recognition of innovative service to the sheep industry. The 2004 Shepherd of the Year award went to David Barker of Waldron, Indiana. Barker and his wife of 35 years, Karen, maintain a flock of 45 Southdown ewes and have produced many state and national champions. In fact, their show flock has been awarded first or second place at every National Show from 1997 to 2003. Barker actively farms 800 acres of corn, soybeans and hay and was awarded the Certificate of Distinction by Purdue University Co-op Extension Service and Decatur County in 1999 for outstanding community service. Barker has also served as the Indiana Southdown Association President and President of the Decatur County Fair.

The highlight and coveted honor of the evening, the Oren A. Wright Master Shepherd Award, was presented by Pearce McKinney, incoming vice-president. The ISA bestows this honor upon a shepherd with at least 25 years of service to the sheep industry in Indiana. It is a measure of excellence, personally and professionally and reflects the reputation of breeding and selling of a quality product. This year?s recipient was Gordon Keith of Plainville, Indiana. Keith attributes much of his success to the help and support of his wife, Myrna and their children, J.R and Kathleen. Keith began his career in the sheep industry at the age of nine years old and showed at the Indiana State Fair for the first time in 1955. The Keith family has raised and shown many champions at state fairs all over the United States, giving the family an opportunity to travel and meet others in the sheep industry.