Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, Inc.

 We, the Officers and Board of Directors, invite you to join CSBA, Inc. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in sheep and you need not own sheep to be a member. Membership is not restricted to residents of Connecticut however we do restrict the participation in our Blanket Project only to flocks that are in state because of marketing restrictions of the Department of Agriculture’s CT Grown program. Non residents are able to enter their fleeces in the Fleece Sale at the annual Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival. Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st and is currently $20 for 2010.

When you join our Association you will receive a Membership kit that includes your membership card, a copy of our Constitution and By-Laws, and a copy of the current Bi-Annual Directory. You will also automatically become of a member of the American Sheep Industry. Your membership also includes your name, address and phone number listed under the appropriate breed in the next printing of the Bi-Annual Directory. Unless we are instructed otherwise, this same information will appear on the website the next time it is updated. Members also have free use of our website’s “Marketplace” to advertise sheep and sheep related items. Through out the year you will receive mailings announcing different events we are holding or about business items that need a vote by the membership. Membership renewals are mailed in the fall along with the invitation to the Annual Meeting & Dinner and the advertising form for those people and businesses that wish to place ads in the Bi-Annual Directory.

The original Constitution and By-Laws written in May of 1893 said, “The purpose of the Association shall be to promote and encourage the keeping of sheep upon the farms of Connecticut, to improve breeds of sheep, and to aid in securing legislation favorable to the sheep industry and agriculture.” Our mission has not changed and our vast network of experienced shepherds is an asset to all members whether they are old hands or new to sheep. Through the Blue Ribbon Forum and the annual Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival members can attend free workshops, some of which are held in the classroom and others which are more hands-on, so you can further your knowledge of sheep and learn methods to help make your flock more profitable. In addition to the workshops at the Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival there are also lots of vendors to buy supplies from or you can even rent a booth yourself and sell your flock’s products. Ideas and suggestions for workshop topics are always welcome and we encourage members to participate in the planning and execution of these two major events for the Association.

Occasionally other businesses offer benefits to members of the Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. and currently the Blumenthal & Donahue Agency offers special sheep farm insurance packages to members through Litchfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a member of the Patron’s Group.

Download MEMBERSHIP FORM