“Sharing Memories & Forging the Future of Ayrshires” is the theme of this year’s Ayrshire National Convention planned for June 22-26, 2015, at Lake Raystown, hosted by the Pennsylvania Ayrshire Breeders Association, along with New Jersey and West Virginia breeders.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Ayrshire community and all others with an interest in Ayrshires to beautiful Lake Raystown for five days of celebrating our breed, its rich, Scottish heritage and its future,” said Convention Committee Co-chair Bonnie Wentworth. “This is a great opportunity to learn about the Ayrshire breed, which has great strength as a forage grazer and is adaptable to all management styles. This year’s location also offers families the opportunity for a vacation-like experience thanks to the area’s abundance of opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation and family-friendly fun of all varieties. We expect a terrific turnout.”
The event features a full schedule, highlighted by youth activities, local farm tours, a dinner and award banquet, and the Grand National Sale. This year, farms have the opportunity to donate a portion of proceeds from their sales to the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Foundation, a three-year old non-profit founded by members of the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders Association to encourage involvement through progressive leadership, promotion, and marketing, and to support youth advancement and interest for the Ayrshire breed. The foundation was created by a group of more than 60 charter members who share a passion for the breed and a mission to secure its future. Donations are always welcome from anyone interested in helping to fulfill this mission.
“We intend for this year’s convention to be the premier event of the year,” said John Rodgers, co-chair. “We are thrilled to be able to support the Foundation through the Grand National Sale and excited to welcome Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding on our farm tour dinner on Wednesday evening, June 24, at Hameau Farm in Belleville. He will share the history of Pennsylvania agriculture and unveil a just-completed, special narrative of Ayrshire history.”
For the first time ever, attendees can register and pay for the event online. The website includes details on the agenda, accommodations, area attractions and animals available in the Grand National Sale on June 26.