Frederick County Sheep Breeders’ Shepherd of the Year Awarded to Local Couple
Mary Ellen Clark, President, Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association
Each year, the Frederick County Sheep Breeders look back at the year in reflection during its annual meeting, which was held virtually in December 2021. They use this time to take note of their successes, as well as what they would like to improve for members and the community going forward.
During this meeting, the association reviewed the financial statement, functional reports, 2022 schedule of events, and elected a new officer team. Outgoing President Patty Sanville led the meeting by greeting attendees and managing the agenda. The new officer team includes: President—Mary Ellen Clark of Thurmont; Vice President—Polly Matzinger of Frederick; Treasurer —Kristan Latham of Thurmont; Secretary—Dawn Viands of Frederick. The newly elected directors include: Charlotte Dutton of Thurmont, Debbie Wagner of Frederick, and Karren Sowell of Thurmont.
As part of this reflection, they also like to acknowledge the contribution of the members to each other, the Frederick County area, and broader. They honor this with the Shepherd of the Year award.
The recipient of the 2021 Frederick County Shepherd of the Year was awarded to Jim and Kristan Latham of Thurmont (pictured right). The year 2021 was a very busy year for them, not only with their own daily chores but in the community and beyond. There were very few moments available that were not consumed by taking care of animals, maintaining the farm, the family, and supporting fellow members. Their involvement in the community includes a strong faith and fellowship in their church community. They are always willing to lend a hand to larger services to support friends and family. This willingness to help and go the extra mile carries over to the care they offer to their menagerie of livestock, which has grown over time since establishing their farm operation. As we all know, managing a farm and family is a never-ending job, which only gets more complex over time. Just like children, the sheep are always in need of something.
Jim and Kristan’s lives have been localized in Frederick County for nearly 30 years. With a large family, there is little time left for themselves. Community agriculture organization events such as 4-H and FFA have been primary time consumers for them on top of everything else that they do. Sporting events, showing sheep across the State of Maryland, lending a hand in fundraising, educating others about sheep, repairing machinery, making hay…they are always doing something. Their roots are strongly established in agriculture from a lifetime of work, which has also been passed on to their children. You could say that it has become a labor of love.
Their contribution to the community is notable and appreciated. Since 2003, they have been a part of the Frederick County agriculture community, when they purchased their farm in Thurmont with Kristan’s sister and brother-in-law. Their children started in 4-H in 2005, when they opened the flood gate to sheep (Border Leicesters, Hampshires, Suffolks, Lincoln Longwools, and commercial), dairy cattle, beef cattle, market hogs, and rabbits. They are natives of Ohio, where they grew up in 4-H and attended college. After graduate school for Kristan in California, they moved to Maryland. Three of their daughters have attended or are attending college at The Ohio State University, majoring in agriculture: Aislinn, Brietta, and Kallan. It has yet to be determined where the youngest, Trennen, will end up (no pressure there). We congratulate Jim and Kristan and look forward to their continued support for our organization and community in the coming years.
Courtesy Photo
