Suri Network Live!June 26, 2014

Welcome!Tim Sheets - President• Suri Network’s second live membership update using the

web conferencing• Over 40 members have registered to participate tonight• Format:• Short presentations by board members• Ask Questions at any time by typing in the chat bar at the left• Participate in Instant Polling• Question and Answer session at the end

• Agenda:• Symposium & Fleece Show• S.H.I.P.• Long Range Planning

Suri Symposium & Fleece Show - Joyce White - Director• Living the Vision: Being the Worldwide Suri Source• When: August 14-16 • Where: Estes Park, CO• 2014 Fleece Show Judges• Cheryl Gehly & Wini LaBrecque2014 Spin Off Judge – Donna Rudd

• 2014 Fleece Show Superintendent - Peg Stephens• Speakers include: Norm Evans, Dr. Timothy Holt, Jude Anderson• Dr. Nancy Irlbeck, Dr. Susan Tornquist and more.• Suri Strut Fashion Show, 7 designers showcasing their suri alpaca

garments.• Live Auction run by master auctioneer, Brett Kaysen

Suri Herd Improvement Program (S.H.I.P.)• The new S.H.I.P. has launched – get on board!• Classifiers have classified 12 herds (over 300

Suris) this spring• Learn about the program and sign up at

www.suriship.org• Release past and present fiber data from

Yocum-McColl• USDA grant submitted

USDA Grant Proposal• Submitted June, 2014• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program• Request:• Year One - $169,173• Year Two – $160,425• Year Three - $159,425

USDA Grant Proposal• Input from membership – 110• 71% involved in alpaca farming less than 10 years; 30% less

than five years• 37% less than 20 alpacas; 52% between 20 and 100; 11% more

than 100• 83% no prior livestock experience• 61% over age 55; less than 2% under age 35

USDA Grant Proposal• Expansion of SHIP• More classifiers• Classifier training• Mentoring materials for members to use with new clients• Regional training: how to use classification, EPDs• EPDs calculated• Promotion of Suri farming with potential farmers

Suri Network Planning Framework• 2009 long range strategic plan developed• 2014 Board review, update• Survey of membership May 2014• Our approach – simple, dynamic, with ability to respond to

opportunities and changing circumstances quickly• Goal Areas and Statements

Suri Network Planning Framework1. Communications

The Suri Network will continue to take advantage of technology in communicating relevant and substantive information to membership. Face to face communications will be planned as feasible. Innovative means for promoting networking will be explored.

• Ideas from membership:• Continue webinars• Continue emails• Facebook groups• Continue show rallies• Website• “Bulletin Board” regarding shows attended• Succinct information in any form

Suri Network Planning Framework

2. EducationThe Suri Network will provide education to existing members in topics of interest. Additionally, the Suri Network will help members educate new clients with materials and seminars. Educational events will include, but not be limited to, the annual Symposium.

• Ideas from membership:• Promote Symposium internationally• Craft seminars: weaving, spinning, felting, leather crafts, crochet, etc. • Fiber• Marketing• Health• Using hard data such as EPDs, histograms and biopsies to improve fleece quality• Guidelines for those interested in terminal market (questions to ask, aspects to consider)• Develop means to respond to member questions.• Suri Network members host educational sessions.

Suri Network Planning Framework3. Marketing

The Suri Network will continue assisting members in marketing through print materials available electronically or in print. The Suri Network will explore marketing of Suri fleece in the textile world, collection of graded fleece, and expanded milling capabilities.

• Ideas from membership:• Continue free membership for new Suri owners – great marketing• Encourage aggregation of graded fleece• International marketing through Alpaca Culture rather than

PurelySuri; PurelySuri articles could be posted on website• Brochures that can be ordered, by state

Suri Network Planning Framework4. SHIP (Suri Genetic Advancement)

The Suri Network will promote advancement Suri genetics through the Suri Herd Improvement Program and education of Suri breeders and potential breeders regarding the breed standard and EPDs. Education will be provided in clear and understandable terms so that results can be fully utilized by all breeders in advancing their own herd and the national herd.

• Ideas from membership:• Share success stories regarding SHIP• Incentivize SHIP participation• Discuss what to do with old animals• Simplify SHIP explanation• Increase number of classifiers

Suri Network Planning Framework5. Funding

The Suri Network will pursue avenues for fund generation, such as fleece shows, written materials for sale, and grants. Creative mechanisms such as a Suri specific fiber co-op and processing with end product will be explored.

• Ideas from membership:• Regional shows, then post regional winners• Written manuals to go with DVDs• Suri only show (halter, fiber, spin-off• Hold Symposium every other year• Suri specific fiber co-op facilitated by exclusive agreement with specific

mill for processing and end product• Please don’t increase dues• Grants

Suri Network Planning Framework6. Product Development

The Suri Network will continue focus on fiber related interests, including promotion of a market for Suri fleece that encompasses every grade of fiber.

• Ideas from membership:• One location for selling fiber for various processing. • Identify things to do with fleece that is not long enough for mills. • Set up a fiber shed – get fiber into hands of those who will use it. • Conduct study of blends to educate members on what works so that new members don’t

have to keep re-creating the wheel. • Suri Network Fiber Co-op. • Showcase what members do that focuses on the fiber. • Need more processing infrastructure in this country (but SN is not going to build a Suri

mill.) • Use for every grade of fiber.• don’t increase dues• Grants

Suri Network Planning Framework7. MembershipThe Suri Network will continue to build membership, reviewing, revising and communicating member benefits clearly.

• Ideas from membership:• Drawings or auctions for a membership. • Afflilate level for mills, etc. • What we are getting for membership needs to be better defined

from the lowest level to the highest.

Suri Network Planning Framework8. Youth Program

The Suri Network will work to expose young people to alpaca farming, through avenues such as FFA and 4H.

• Ideas from membership:• Have competition and offer prizes for best fiber art, book, hand spun

yarn, or drawing. • See if FFA would add textile processing, fiber production and fashion

courses. • Support youth judging and PR components that are already in place. • Have a Jr. Handling competition at every show judged by a SN member.

$5 entry fee and recognize in PurelySuri. • Provide models that are profitable, based on the fleece, we are more

likely to get youth and adult involvement.

Suri Network Planning Framework• Next Steps

• Prepare document• Present at Symposium• Use framework for establishment of 1 – 2 year plans

Suri Network Live! Q & A• Tim Sheets – Welcome and Suri Network Herd Improvement Program• tim@ourheritgefarm.com

• Patty Hasselbring – Membership & New Website• patty@hasselbringsharmonyranch.com

• Kristie Smoker – Product Development Committee• kristie.smoker@me.com

• Cindy Harris – PurelySuri magazine • Cindy@alpacalink.com

• Joyce White – Suri Network Summer Symposium & Fleece Show• tinkerscreekalpacas@gmail.com