Annual Conference of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association

The 2008 MLWP annual membership conference will be held at the Best Western Victorian Inn in Hutchinson, MN. The hotel is located at 1000 Highway 7 West. Reservations can be made by calling 320-587-6030 or 800-369-0145.

The focus of this year’s conference is Predator Control and we have engaged a couple of highly knowledgeable hands-on folks to share their experiences with those attending. The conference will start at 12:30 on Friday, December 5th, 2008. Note that discount registration is available for those who send in their forms before November 20th, 2008.

Back by very popular demand is Chef John Schumacher. You won’t want to miss this one! Chef John is going to work his culinary magic on a lamb carcass from start to finish. Learn how to cut, prep, and cook lamb that will melt in your mouth. Chef John grew up on a small farm in western Minnesota, is a worldwide traveler, and a life-long hunter and fisherman. He joins us with over 30 years of professional gourmet experience as the owner/operator of the renowned Schumacher’s New Prague Hotel and Restaurant. John will have some of his cookbooks available for purchase and autographing.

The Annual Business meeting of the conference will be Friday afternoon at 4:45 pm prior to the banquet. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be available. Surprise entertainment and a wonderful lamb entrée at the banquet will follow.

We will be having our traditional live auction on Friday evening. Please consider donating a unique or special item for this event. Turn in your item at the registration table when you check in.

The state Make it with Wool contest will be held in conjunction with the conference on Saturday, December 6th, 2008. We will be starting promptly at 8:00 am and moving along so that we can get the Silver Bell presentations and lunch followed by the MIWW Fashion Show and still get everyone home in time for evening chores.

A new tradition – the silent auction in the Trade Show room – will happen on Saturday. Everyone will have a last chance to bid just before lunch. Please consider donating an item For this auction – proceeds help to defray the cost of the state MIWW contest.