I get asked on regular basis what are the benefits of joining a species specific association or a state association or regional club. Currently I am a lifetime member of AQHA and APHA, president of Tennessee Sheep Producers, past president of Katahdin Hair Sheep International and current board member of Eastern Alliance for Production Katahdins and the hair breed rep for National Sheep Improvement Program. I am active member because I have a continuous need to learn myself. I learn something from every board meeting, every annual meeting, every webinar, every field day. Might be small might be simple like the seasoning used on the meat for lunch. But it has been as simple as a design of a wooden sorting gate that I replicated on my farm that I feel is one of the most useful pieces of equipment when working sheep. All those lessons learned for mere $30-$50 a year? Go visit your vet or have them come out one time and see what they charge you for that education? Association membership are the cheapest form of learning there is. Now I have been member of less active groups. When that is the case step up and help. It is hard to pull off all those educational events and communications, articles, etc. together with volunteer committees. So when we help you, we need your help in return to be active and help us help more people get into the industry and learn and stay within that industry. Most people get out because they can’t figure out their niche or issues that can mostly be resolved with education.