ASI…20th Anniversary ~ Transition from Tradition
The U.S. sheep industry is rooted in history and tradition, dating back to the second voyage of Columbus in 1493. Today, the U.S. sheep industry is one of the most
complex industries in animal agriculture. We have made adjustments, invested in new technologies and improved efficiencies. These changes have transformed the industry toward a more productive and competitive future.

Today, ASI continues the work of the national organizations that came before it in
representing the interests of the more than 70,500 sheep producers located throughout the United States. ASI values the history and the experience represented by the National Wool Growers Association (the first national livestock organization in America) and the American Sheep Producers Council (America’s first national sheep promotion program). It is determined to serve the sheep industry in the same dedicated fashion shown by these predecessors.

As the times change and new ideas and issues emerge, ASI will continue its work as an advocate supporting what is best for the industry and for the individual producer. Keeping our rich tradition of service in mind, we will assist the industry in the challenges of international marketing, the identification of new markets and
products for domestic consumers and the ever-changing production practices
necessary to remain profitable. 

This year’s motto is taken from the 2008 seminal study of the sheep industry by the National Academy of Sciences.

We would like to welcome you to San Diego, California's second largest city and the United States’ seventh largest city, with a population of nearly 1.3 million residents. San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class attractions. The city is a unique and laid-back community with big-city comforts, yet still keeps its small-town feel.

San Diego offers an expansive variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages. See animals from around the globe at the San Diego Zoo. Rub noses with an endangered rhino at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. Set adventure free at LEGOLAND California. Devote a day to counting teeth on a shark at SeaWorld. Get up close and personal with the whales on a whale watching excursion. Visit Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the United States featuring 15 museums. Reserve a tee-time at one of the 92 golf courses located in San Diego county. Experience the small Spanish enclave of Old Town. Encounter a slice of Italy in Little Italy. Learn about life on a military aircraft carrier by boarding the USS Midway.

These are just a few of the many things that the San Diego area has to offer. Log on to www.sheepusa.org or www.sandiego.org for links to these attractions and many more.

SAN DIEGO TOURS
Full-Day Industry Tour to the Imperial Valley:
Wednesday, January 21 – 7 am-5 pm ($50 per person)
A full-day industry tour to the Imperial Valley is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 21. It is an opportunity to see nearly 175,000 lambs grazing in the valley during the winter months. The area is also known for growing produce and citrus. Electricity-
producing geothermal plants are popping up, providing another diverse commodity that is produced in the valley. Other stops that are being considered are to Ashurst American Honey, one of the largest honeybee outfits in the country; Bullfrog Farms, a dairy operation that milks nearly 4,000 Jersey and Holstein cows on a carousel; and Desert Citrus, where workers will likely be harvesting and packing lemons at this time of year. Lunch included.

San Diego By Land and Sea Tour:
Thursday, January 22 – 1 pm-5 pm (Minimum 30, $40 per person)
This custom-designed tour will capture the best of San Diego. You will enjoy a driving tour of Balboa Park (San Diego’s cultural center), the historic Gaslamp District and Little Italy, as well as Coronado, which is home to about 26,000 people and is
connected to San Diego by the distinctively curved San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. Coronado is home to the North Island Naval Air Station and the Naval Amphibious Base.

Additionally, you will see San Diego from a totally different perspective…cruising the calm waters of the North Bay from a Coast Guard-certified yacht. Enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego city skyline while getting a close-up look at modern U.S. Naval Vessels, the historic and majestic Star of India, bustling shipyards, aircraft carriers, glamorous yachts and more.

Remember your camera.  This picturesque tour is sure to be unforgettable!

USS Midway and Seaport Village Tour:
Saturday, January 24 – 9 am-1 pm ($35 per person)
The majestic USS Midway made her final journey on Jan. 10, 2004, from North Island Naval Station, across the bay to her final berth at Navy Pier. Commissioned in 1945, she served proudly until 1992 during the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. She also served as the naval flagship during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The lead ship of her class, she was the first aircraft carrier built that was too large to pass through the Panama Canal. You will board the impressive 1,001 foot USS Midway for a self-guided audio tour. Lunch not included.

Following the USS Midway, you will have time to walk along the Embarcadero where a tribute to Bob Hope and his USO tours was recently completed. You can explore Seaport Village with more than 50 diverse shops, 17 unique eateries and outdoor entertainment.

SAN DIEGO EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
Research Symposium:
Thursday, January 22 – 8 am-Noon
Providing an opportunity for the authors of the most current U.S. sheep research to
interact with the very producers who utilize the information is the idea behind this half-day research symposium. This is a chance to learn about and ask questions regarding the kinds of research that is being conducted. Sheep-research efforts
from the following list of disciplines will be selected: genetics, nutrition, physiology, pasture/range management, meat science, production and management, animal health/disease and wool.

ASI Council and Committee Meetings:
Thursday, January 22, – 1 pm-5 pm and Friday, January 23 – 8:30 am-11:30 am
As many past participants have requested, the council and committee meetings are now divided into two half-day sessions rather than all the meetings taking place at the same time. This opens up the schedule and allows participation in more than one council meeting. Councils meet either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Consult the schedule for times.

Council meetings incorporate a wide variety of topic-specific speakers from the industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and field experts. Detailed agendas
will be available on-site to assist participants in deciding which meetings to attend.

Industry-Wide Welcome Reception – Beach Bash:
Thursday, January 22 – 5:30 pm-8 pm
The American Lamb Board, the National Lamb Feeders Association and ASI team up to welcome attendees to this year’s convention by recreating the American Lamb “More Than Just a Great Rack” beach bash from last year’s South Beach Food and Wine Festival. Like the thousands of folks in Florida, you can sample Lambassador Chef Tim Love’s “Baaad to the Bone” riblets, “Ewe’re Hot” spicy lamb shoulder empanada, “Love Shank” sliders and “Show Me Some Leg” kabobs, to name a few.

Industry Awards Lunch:
Friday, January 23 – 11:45 am-1:30 pm
U.S. sheep industry organizations will be recognizing award recipients who have
demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the sheep industry at the annual Awards Luncheon on Friday. Organizations honoring awardees at this time are ASI, NLFA, ALB and ASGC.

Make It With Wool Fashion Show:
Saturday, January 24 – 5:30 pm-8 pm
A fashion show not to miss! Watch as the state level Make It With Wool winners compete for the honor of being named the National Make It With Wool Ambassadors. Come and cheer on the contestants from your state as they model their garments.

CONVENTION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 21
7 am-5 pm Full Day Industry Tour – Imperial Valley
7 am-5 pm Western Range Board Meeting
8 am-5 pm American Sheep & Goat Center Meeting
5:30 pm-7:30 pm ASI Executive Board Meeting
5:30 pm-7:30 pm American Lamb Board (ALB) Meeting
6 pm American Sheep & Goat Center &
NLPA Sheep & Goat Committee Dinner Meeting

Thursday, January 22
7 am-Noon NLPA Sheep & Goat Committee Meeting
7:30 am-9:30 am ASI Executive Board Meeting
8 am-Noon Research Symposium
8 am-5 pm ALB Meeting
10 am-5 pm Vendor Fair
1 pm-3 pm Genetic Stakeholders Committee Meeting
1 pm-5 pm San Diego by Land and Sea Tour
1 pm-5 pm NLFA Annual Meeting & Feeder Forum
1 pm-5 pm Wool Council Policy Forum & Roundtable
1 pm-5 pm Resource Management Council & Predator Management
Public Lands & Targeted Grazing Committees Policy Forum
3 pm-5 pm Animal Health Committee Meeting
3 pm-5 pm Goat Committee Meeting 5:30 pm-8 pm Industry Wide Reception – Beach Bash

Friday, January 23
6 am-8:15 am State Presidents Meeting
7 am-8:15 am State Executives Meeting with ALB
7 am-8:30 am ASI Youth Taskforce Meeting
8 am-4 pm Vendor Fair
8:30 am-11:30 am Lamb Council & Policy Forum
8:30 am-11:30 am Production, Education & Research Council & Policy Forum
8:30 am-11:30 am Legislative Action Council & Policy Forum
10 am-11:30 am Targeted Grazing Committee Meeting
11:45 am-1:30 pm Awards Luncheon
1:45 pm-3:45 pm ASI Board of Directors Informational Session
4 pm-5 pm Regional Caucuses
5:30 pm-7:30 pm RAMS PAC Auction

Saturday, January 24
6:30 am-7:45 am Resolutions Committee Meeting
7 am-9 am Sheep Heritage Foundation Meeting
8 am-4 pm ASI Board of Directors Annual Business Meeting
9 am-1 pm USS Midway & Seaport Village Tour
4:45 pm-5:30 pm ASI Women Cocktail Party and Benefit Auction
5:30 pm-8 pm MIWW Banquet and Fashion Show

ASI Women & Make It With Wool Schedule
Thursday, January 22
3 pm-5 pm MIWW Registration
4:30 pm-6 pm MIWW State Directors Meeting
7 pm-9 pm MIWW Contestants/Parents/State Directors Meeting

Friday, January 23
7 am-8 am ASI Women Executive Committee Meeting
8 am-Noon ASI Women Meeting & Breakfast
8 am-Noon MIWW Photos
8:30 am-5 pm MIWW Judging – Junior & Senior Divisions
Noon-1 pm MIWW Judges Lunch
Noon-5 pm MIWW Contestants Free Time 
6:30 pm-9 pm MIWW Rehearsal
7 pm-9 pm MIWW State Director Idea Exchange

Saturday, January 24
9 am-1 pm USS Midway & Seaport Village Tour
1:30 pm-4 pm MIWW Fashion Show Dress Rehearsal
4:45 pm -5:30 pm ASI Women Cocktail Party & Benefit Auction
5:30 pm-8 pm MIWW Banquet & Fashion Show
8 pm-10 pm MIWW Contestant Winner Photos

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Visit www.sheepusa.org to download a form or call (303) 771-3500 ext. 0.
The deadline for early registration is Jan. 6, 2009.