Colorado Springs, CO (Feb. 1, 2008) – In addition to lowering the interest rate to 5 percent, the National Livestock Producers Association’s Sheep & Goat Fund Committee appointed Clark Willis of Logan, Utah, to its Executive Committee at their meeting in Las Vegas on Jan. 24, 2008.

Willis has not only been involved in the sheep and cattle industry, but also has a background as a rural appraiser, ranch consultant, rural realtor and livestock nutrition specialist. He has been involved with the sheep, cattle and farming industry and has been the owner/manager of the family sheep and cattle operation since he purchased it from his father in 1983. His operation currently includes range ewes, feeder lambs and irrigated ground that produces alfalfa, barley, soft white wheat, oats and raspberries.

Willis has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and a Masters in Agricultural Industries from Utah State University. He has a Farm & Ranch Appraisal License, Real Estate License, and Mortgage Lender License and has served in many industry positions including the Utah Agricultural Advisory Board, Utah State Legislature’s Agricultural Sustainability Task Force, President of the Utah Wool Growers Association and Board/Council member of the American Sheep Industry Association. Willis is currently on a number of volunteer committees and is the Executive Director of the Utah Wool Growers Association.

The Sheep & Goat Fund was established in 1999 when an agreement was signed between NLPA and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, which is now the American Sheep and Goat Center. The agreement enables funds to be used in the sheep and goat industries through a revolving loan program. The NLPA Sheep & Goat Fund is used exclusively for loans with the following goals:
• To make capital available for enhancing business methods and services.
• To improve marketing efficiency and product quality.
• To promote coordination and cooperation within the industry.
• To create opportunities for adding value to sheep and goat products.

Currently the Fund has $9.85 million in loan commitments with 55 loans to 38 entities in 22 states. The Fund Committee continuously reviews applications that serve the goals of this program.

NLPA has the ability to service and administer this important program and was selected for their ability to provide:
• expertise with livestock production, processing and marketing-related lending;
• nationwide capability in urban and rural areas; and
• the ability to process and service loans from all segments of the sheep and goat industries; from production through the packer/processor/retail level.

According to the terms of the agreement the Sheep and Goat Fund Committee, which consists of members of NLPA and representatives of the sheep and goat industries, is responsible for the oversight of the Fund. The Committee regularly reviews applications and is only allowed to consider loans up to $1 million that are submitted by eligible entities (sole proprietors are not eligible as written into the legislation that established the Sheep & Goat Fund).
For more information or an application please contact the National Livestock Producers Association at (800) 237-7193. More information and the application are also available at www.nlpa.org.

####