WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Agriculture’s Sheep and Wool Market Development Program (IN S&W) and the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) are sponsoring the annual Hoosier Sheep Symposium Sept. 20 at Purdue University in the Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences. 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette. Integrated crop and sheep systems research, wool processing in the United States, an introduction to the new Sheep Extension Specialist and sheep pelt production will be among the topics explored by expert speakers at the event.

Symposium session titles and speakers:

* Integrated Crop Livestock Systems: The Peanut Butter and Jelly of Agriculture by Moriah Bilenky, Purdue assistant professor.

* Purdue’s new small ruminant specialist by ANSC Department Head Paul Ebner and new small ruminant specialist and Extension educator Cora Reinbolt.

* The American Wool Council’s Wool Action Plan and Wool Processing in the United States by Heather Pearce, wool production program manager for the American Sheep Industry Association. 

* Trash or Treasure: Natural Tanning of Sheepskins and Leather by Javan Miner, owner of Steward’s Provisions Tannery.

Morning sessions, including a light breakfast, will be in the Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences. Registration begins at 9 a.m. EST and a welcome message from ISA President Ricky Burns will be at 9:30 a.m.

“The sheep industry is changing and adapting to new trends, and it’s exciting; The innovative discussions for the symposium are awesome,” Burns said.

Registration for the event can be found on the ISA website homepage at www.indianasheep.com in electronic and print format. Lunch, included in the $30 registration fee, will be in the ANSC Conference Room and attached lobby.