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 Suri Network News

Winter 2019

   

IN THIS ISSUE
 

President's Letter

2019 Summer Symposium

New Board Member Announcement

Purely Suri Update

Branding - What's Happening

SHIP Update

PDC Update





 
Board of Trustees
 
President
Sue King
Phone: 503-799-6941
sue@bigtimberalpacas.com

Vice President
Deb Christner
Phone:970 872-4446

Phone:970 250-7392


Treasurer
Nancy Lindemood

Home Phone: 859-428-9220 

Cell: 513-218-8978

frankemood@aol.com


Secretary
Beth Sheets

Phone: 765-566-3077

beth@heritagefarm.com


Trustees at Large
Jennifer Hack

Phone: 720-733-2672

jennifer@triplehalpacas.net


Margit Korsak

Phone: 267-246-7573

boulderhillalpacas@yahoo.com


Liz Vahlkamp

Phone: 314-440-1627
Websites
 

Suri Network Website

SHIP Website
   

New Board Member Announcement



The Suri Network Board of Trustees recently accepted the resignation of Michael Alpert from the board. Michael decided to resign due to conflicts in his schedule that made it difficult for him to participate. The Board would like to extend its gratitude and appreciation to Michael for his dedication and contributions to the Board and to Suri Network. 


The Board is pleased to announce that Margit Korsak of Boulder Hill Alpacas has agreed to join the Board to fulfill Michael’s remaining term. Margit was nominated by the Board in compliance with the Suri Network bylaws which govern board replacements. Margit has spent countless hours in the past volunteering for Suri Network on various committees, including the Symposium planning committee. 


Please extend your warmest congratulations to Margit Korsak in her new role as board member.




 

What's Happening


The Suri Simply Stunning "Mark" was rolled out at Symposium 2018.


Two webinars were presented in September on the "Mark" and branding, if you missed them the presentation can be found on the Suri Network web page under the members section.


The Suri Network Board and a Branding Committee have been working diligently on the fine details. This group is made up of 9 individuals representing all aspects of the Suri industry. Some show, some do not, different size farms, fiber focus, breeding focus, etc. Having this broad knowledge of farm and business models in mind, we are working through the criteria for using the brand, increasing the quality of Suris and making sure the correct fiber is used in the appropriate applications.


Through one of our members it has come to our attention that Peru is noticing the U.S. presence in the alpaca textile market. As such, the need to produce a high-quality domestic Suri fiber is becoming ever more important. With the criteria that each Suri Simply Stunning user will have to adhere to, the "Mark" will come to represent the quality required to excel on the world stage.


We appreciate your patience as we work through the details of the Mark, and we look forward to sharing more of this exciting opportunity with you in the near future.


Sincerely,



Your Suri Network Board of Trustees

Branding Committee Members



PDC Update

The PDC is back with a new chair and looking for new members! You don't have to be a fiber expert to join the committee - you just need a passion for promoting suri and helping your fellow farmers. The PDC is a busy and productive committee that could use your talents - please consider joining!


The PDC is currently working on the following projects:


1. Micron books being put together to help people better understand what they have in their herd.

2. The Resource Directory is being updated.

3. They are working on a program to reach out to non-alpaca owners who are fiber artists to engage with them more and encourage the purchase of Suri yarn from SN farms.


Joy Conwell - Chair

joydconwell@gmail.com

303-570-7493

SuperFleece Alpacas 

Conifer, Colorado 80433


Jan Heinrich

janh@longhollowalpacas.com

615-452-7852

Long Hollow Suri Alpacas/New Era Fiber

Gallatin, Tennessee


Celya Singleton

srsalpacas@gmail.com

(435) 201-1748

San Rafael Suris

Ferron, Utah


Michelle Pressler

michellepressler@hotmail.com

impressalpacas@gmail.com

(847) 373-3056

(815) 713-5234

iMpress Alpacas

Rockton, Illinois


Liz Vahlkamp - Board Liaison

lizvahlkamp@me.com

314-440-1627

Salt River Alpacas

Paris, Missouri






 
President's Letter

Hello Suri Network Members!


With winter in full swing, we hope you and your alpacas are safe and warm. The 2019 show season has begun and Suri owners around the country are planning their events for the year.  

 

The Suri Network board and many volunteer members have been working on our events and initiatives on your behalf. 


·         The 2019 Summer Symposium planning is well underway with the conference agenda and speakers confirmed. 


·         The All Suri Fleece Show, run in conjunction with the Symposium is being planned.


·         The Branding committee is finishing up its work and ready to roll out the details of the “Suri, Simply Stunning” brand mark.


·         The Strategic Planning committee has met several times and is working on updating the Suri Network strategic plan.


·          We’ve updated the SHIP hardware and software to implement new improvements to the SHIP system in 2019 for your benefit.


·         The PDC is working on updating several important product resources on our website.

 

All in all, it has been a very busy winter so far. The Board of Trustees wants to thank you for your financial and volunteer support of the Suri Network. We are a small, but mighty Suri breed association, comprised of volunteers that work tirelessly to advance our mission. With your support we continue our mission to ensure the preservation and advancement of the Suri breed. Your involvement, input and feedback are critical to the ongoing success of our industry.  

 

Warmest regards,


Sue King

President

Suri Network


2019 Summer Symposium


The 2019 Summer Symposium on Aug 9-10, 2019 in Loveland, Colorado is sure to be the headliner event for the industry this year. Our theme this year is “Suri, Simply Stunning”, which showcases our new Suri brand initiative.

 

We are bringing in expert speakers on topics ranging from the state of the global and US suri markets and industry trends, how to grow our markets including exporting, tools for suri herd improvement and making good breeding decisions, classifying, sorting and evaluating suri fleeces, and sustainability in the fashion world and its impact on suri products.


Our presenters include Jude Anderson, Amanda VandenBosch, Cheryl Gehly, Winnie Labreque, Amy Hall from Eileen Fisher fashions and Dr. Timothy Holt.

 

In addition, we are planning the largest Suri fleece show in the country to coincide with the Symposium so participants can see and feel the best Suri fleeces in the industry, judged by senior judges, including Amanda VandenBosch and Cheryl Gehly. Wini Labrecque will be judging Fiber Arts entries and Gabrielle Menn wil be judging Spin Off. This year we will be accepting International fleece!


We will be having the online auction again this year. Please let us know about donations!

 

The conference provides ample opportunity to network with other Suri breeders across the country to compare best practices and herd management.  Most of all, we plan to have a fun time with each other, celebrating the beautiful Suri alpaca!



Purely Suri Update


We have started planning the 2019 edition of the PurelySuri magazine. We are asking for your input on articles you want to see in the next edition. Topics can include anything alpaca, especially suri related such as  health and alpaca husbandry, fiber processing, suri products,  breeding decisions, tools to improve your herds such as EPDs, skin biopsies etc. 


Please let us know what topics you want to see addressed by emailing the Suri Network office by March 10th.




SHIP Update





The Suri Herd Improvement Program (SHIP) is growing up and setting sail on its own, with less help from Captain Tim Sheets.


Tim has been working with the Suri Network office to get Cindy trained on the system.


The database operating system and server have been upgraded making it possible for individuals to enter their own information and print off reports.


Yes, this does come at a cost. Going forward there will be a $75.00 administration fee at the time of application for your SHIP evaluation. This is invoiced through the Suri Network office.


The SHIP fee of $500.00 per day, plus travel and room & board, if applicable, are paid directly to the classifier at the time of the classification.  The $500.00 per day remains the same as previous years.


If you have any questions, please contact Cindy at the Suri Network Office, (970) 586-5876 or office@surinetwork.org.




Membership Dues


Don't forget to renew your dues on or before June 1st! Membership reminders will be going out shortly. 


   

 

   




Suri Network
Phone: (970) 586-5876
Fax: (970) 591-0007

P.O. Box 1984

Estes Park, Colorado
80517


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