named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
NYS Sheep & Wool Festival
Annual festival featuring fiber arts demonstrations, livestock exhibitions, educational workshops, vendor markets, and fleece competitions, organized and staffed primarily by volunteers.
Scholarship Program
Provides financial awards to high school seniors pursuing studies in animal science, agriculture, or related fields, with a focus on youth involved in 4-H or FFA.
Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tours
Self-guided spring tour of seven local farms offering barn visits, fiber processing demos, and opportunities to meet sheep and purchase wool products.
Wool Ambassador
Annual youth ambassadorship selecting a young representative to promote the association and the sheep and wool industry across the region.
Wool Incentive Program
Member benefit providing a 50-cent-per-pound incentive (up to 250 lbs) for wool harvested and sold by members, to encourage wool production.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Agricultural Producer Education & Support Networks 3 activities
- Designates a Wool AmbassadorSelects and supports an annual Wool Ambassador to represent the organization and promote sheep and wool within the regional community.
- Produces educational resources on sheep managementCreates and distributes educational videos covering ewe flock management, newborn lambing, and pre-weaned lamb and ewe care to support best practices in sheep farming.
- Supports member networking and product promotionMaintains a membership directory that connects producers of lamb and fiber products with fiber artists and the public, supporting regional marketing of sheep and wool-related goods.
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Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 2 activities
- Awards agricultural education scholarshipsProvides scholarships to high school seniors and students pursuing higher education or career and technical training in agriculture, animal science, plant sciences, and related educational fields.
- Provides wool production incentives for membersOffers a financial incentive of $0.50 per pound, up to 250 pounds ($125), to members who harvest and provide proof of sale of wool from their own sheep, with program details updated annually.
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County and Regional Agricultural Fair Management 2 activities
- Hosts an annual self-guided farm tourOrganizes a spring farm tour across seven farms in Dutchess County, featuring sheep and wool production, offering public access to farm-produced goods such as yarn and crafts, and hosting a raffle with local products from participating farms.
- Organizes the NYS Sheep & Wool FestivalPlans, sponsors, and hosts the annual NYS Sheep & Wool Festival, including competitions, workshops, auctions, vendor coordination, fleece sales, and educational barns, primarily through volunteer labor.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$477K
Contributions & grants$4500%
Program service revenue$283K59%
Investment income$49K10%
Other revenue$146K
expenses
Total expenses$421K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$10K
Grants paid out$16K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.35M
Cash$1.18M
Investments$142K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.35M
Liquid reserves37.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +15.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARGEY HEDGES | BOARD MEMBER | 12 | $10K |
board members · 6
- BRENT ZIMMERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- BRUCE MCCORD — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRIS SHAVE — BOARD MEMBER
- GILLIAN FERGUSON — BOARD MEMBER
- MARY STEPHENS — BOARD MEMBER
- SUE RUGAR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- 4-H Club Partner — Collaborates with 4-H Club through representative involvement in the association.
- Backyard Green Films Partner — Collaborates to produce live-streamed video coverage and a podcast focused on the fleece sale and fleece judging at the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival.
- Bluestone Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Dashing Star Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Dutchess BOCES CTI Partner — Collaborates with educational institutions to support students in agricultural career and technical instruction.
- Dutchess County 4-H program Partner — Longstanding affiliation of the Wool Ambassador, reflecting organizational partnership in youth agricultural education
- Dutchess County Fair Partner — Offers financial incentives for members showing at the Dutchess County Fair.
- Ewe’ll Wonder Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Fair Board Partner — Engages with the Fair Board through representative Bruce McCord.
- Golden Fleece Leaders Partner — Works with Golden Fleece Leaders, represented by Jason & Jen McCord, in association activities.
- Got Goat Milk Partner — Partners with local 4-H clubs to support youth involvement in goat and fiber animal projects.
- Jewel Tunis Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- LaGrange Middle School Partner — School attended by 2024 Wool Ambassador, indicating community connection
- Lime Kiln Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- MCS Livestock Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Morehouse Farm Partner — Supplies Merino wool products and kits for sale at Point of View Farm during the Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tours.
- Morehouse Farm Partner — Supplies Merino wool products for sale at Point of View Farm during the annual Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tour.
- NYS Sheep & Wool Festival Partner — Sponsors and organizes the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival as a core event.
- Point of View Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Sepe Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Spitters Partner — Partners with local 4-H clubs to support youth involvement in livestock and fiber animal projects.
- Stony Ground 4-H Club Partner — Participates in the Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tours by leading guided tours and fiber art demonstrations at Stony Kill Farm.
- Stony Ground 4-H Club Partner — Participates in the annual Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tour by providing guided tours and fiber art demonstrations at Stony Kill Farm.
- Stony Kill Foundation Partner — Collaborates during the Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tours to offer guided barn tours, fiber art demonstrations, and fundraising activities at Stony Kill Farm.
- Stony Kill Foundation Partner — Collaborates during the annual Sheep & Wool Growers Farm Tour to offer guided barn tours, fiber art demonstrations, and fundraising activities at Stony Kill Farm.
- Wil-Hi Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
- Willow Pond Sheep Farm Partner — Lamb producer listed by DUTCHESS COUNTY SHEEP & WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION INC for lamb sales
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education-Based Industry Promotionmethodology: education-based promotionBy delivering targeted education and outreach about sheep, wool, and fiber production, the organization promotes industry growth and member engagement because knowledge dissemination increases public awareness, strengthens producer capability, and sustains interest in natural fibers.
- Volunteer-Driven Community Event Modelmethodology: volunteer-driven community modelBy relying on volunteer labor to organize and operate the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival, the organization sustains a large-scale community event because collective civic engagement reduces operational costs and strengthens local ownership and commitment to the industry.
- Youth Engagement Through Agricultural Leadership Developmentmethodology: youth-agriculture-leadershipBy involving youth in livestock showing, 4-H programs, and hands-on animal husbandry, the organization fosters long-term participation in agriculture because early experiential learning builds skills, leadership, and career interest in fiber and farming industries.