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Wisconsin Emu Association (WIEA)

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AEA National Convention
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  2008 AMERICAN EMU ASSOCIATION (AEA) NATIONAL CONVENTION
                                 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
                                       July 18 - 20, 2008
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2007 AMERICAN EMU ASSOCIATION (AEA) NATIONAL CONVENTION
                  Parkside holiday Inn Hotel, Missoula, Montana
                                          JULY 6-8, 2007

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2006 AEA Convention Summary

      AMERICAN EMU ASSOCIATION (AEA) NATIONAL CONVENTION
               Madison West-Marriott Hotel, Middleton Wisconsin
                                       JULY 14-16, 2006

AEA Members Gathered in Wisconsin
Volunteers acknowledged during annual banquet

Middleton, WI --- On July 13-16, 2006 emu growers from across the United States met in Wisconsin to attend the 16th Annual American Emu Association (AEA) National Convention. An international member from South Africa joined representatives from all regions of the continental US to learn, share and network with other emu growers. The annual business meeting, speakers, classes and awards along with plenty of fun, dominated the weekend.

The AEA Board of Directors met for two days prior to the convention to discuss and set goals for the coming year.

Thursday
Thursday morning Certified Business Members (CBM) met to discuss industry changes and challenges, including continuing demands for emu oil and increased demand for emu meat. Thursday afternoon found the state presidents discussing the current dues structure, website updates, National Emu Week, creation of an advisory committee and future conventions.

Friday
Accredited Emu Producer Classes
DeShea Villoch, accomplished egg artist from Texas taught "Scratch Art" egg carving to eager students in classes held throughout the convention. Some students actually left the four hour class with a saleable piece of art.

Marian LaPlant from Wisconsin gave an informative presentation on Classroom Hatching. Marian has had great success working with schools and several different age levels. Her class and the information she shared will be available on the AEA website when we get our online classes set up.

Sue Sabatke from the Madison Department of Tourism gave a presentation on "Steps to Hosting a National Convention." The timelines and info provided were great.

Jeanne Carpenter (Something Special from Wisconsin Public Relations representative) did "Craft Your Story - Pitch it Well and Build Relationships" and Myra Charleston from Tennessee followed up by passing out Press Kits and doing a little follow-up on press releases.

Dr. Gerald Ruch, WI-DATCP, spoke on bio-security and Tom Thieding from the WI Farm Bureau spoke on Agro-security. These are hot topics with Avian Influenza on the horizon.

The Convention
Will Hughes, Agricultural Development Division administrator from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WI-DATCP), Pam Jahnke, State Ag Commodities Radio & TV Broadcaster, a.k.a., "The Fabulous Farm Babe" and Nichole Reese, 2006/2007 Alice in Dairyland and Wisconsin's Agricultural Products Representative, welcomed convention attendees to Wisconsin.

During the business meeting De McCleery, AEA treasurer from Texas, presented a comparison of AEA's accomplishments between last year and this year. Everyone seemed to like the way she presented. She is going to continue with this in the future. All the by-law changes that were asked for were passed.

Robert Fourdraine from the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) gave further explanation of the Livestock Identification Program, including its progress in premises registration and goals for the future.

Alphabet Zoup/Running Emu Productions, the film crew that is doing the documentary on the emu industry, gave a short presentation. They taped many interviews that may be included in their documentary. The producer, Alan Zansler, wanted to reassure everyone that he was producing a pro-industry documentary.

Saturday
Saturday morning Tom Thieding from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation was back talking about how farmers can change the perceptions of agriculture.

Matt Lange spoke on Vermi-Composting with Emu Manure. He has agreed to help create a brochure for the emu farmer outlining how to compost emu manure and the benefits of vermi-composting (using worms). His analysis of emu manure indicates the nutritional value of emu manure for compost and plant fertilizers.

The producer panel with Stephanie Ramey (Egg Art & Websites) from Tennessee, Myra Glick (Farmers Markets) from Washington and Dennis Anderson (Show Sales) from Iowa was informative. Stephanie says that she makes as much from her website in a quarter as she did all year doing shows. Myra Glick talked about using the Farmers Market for sales and the unusual people you meet. Dennis talked about the different kinds of shows where you can set up booths.

Saturday afternoon's Emu Oil Seminar for Medical Professionals contained a lot of information. Speakers included: Richard Sunderlage, Acupuncturist - “Emu Oil and the Practice of Oriental Medicine”; Lebron Long, N. D. - “Emu Oil in Nutritional Supplements”; Robert Winston, M. D. - “The Use of Emu Oil to Carry Antibiotics into Wounds”; Leigh Hopkins, Pharm. D. - “The Scientific Basis of Emu Oil.”; Romulo Mene, M. D. - “The Use of Emu Oil Contained Products in Plastic Surgery Recovery”

Saturday night's banquet entree of Emu Lasagna was appropriate since July was national lasagna month.

After the banquet, awards were presented and donations acknowledged. Members and friends of the American Emu Association (AEA) saluted industry volunteers on July 15 during the annual banquet held in conjunction with the 2006 AEA National Convention, held this year at the Madison West-Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Middleton, WI. "Our industry is moved forward by volunteers," observed Charles Ramey, President of the American Emu Association (AEA). "It's important to take time to acknowledge the accomplishments of those who have made a significant and consistent sacrifice of time from their personal lives to serve the emu industry."

Founded in 1989, the American Emu Association is a member driven organization that represents an alternative agricultural community dominated by the small farmer. AEA recognizes volunteers each year during the convention banquet.

Leadership Award
The “2006 Ann Olsson Leadership Recognition Award” was presented to Joylene Reavis of Wisconsin. This award is given in acknowledgement of the effort and work done by a volunteer in previous years and reads: “For Your Dedicated Service and in Recognition of Your Exceptional Accomplishments on Behalf of the Emu Industry.”

Joylene has been the driving force for National Emu Week since its beginnings in 1999. She was chairman of January's mid-year state presidents meeting and is an active member of AEA's Public Relations Committee. For the past 2 years, she has actively organized planning of the AEA National Convention here in Wisconsin, as the 2006 Convention Chairman.

Originally titled the “American Emu Association Leadership Recognition Award,” the award was renamed in 2005 in honor of former AEA president, the late Ann Olsson of Oregon. Ann was a true leader in the emerging emu industry

Pioneer Award
The “2006 Bitsy Cartwright Pioneer Award” was presented to Peter and the late Pat Duncan, of South Africa. The award is given in acknowledgement of effort and work done by a couple or company in previous years to benefit the emu industry. The plaque reads: “For Your Dedicated Service and in recognition of your exceptional accomplishments on behalf of the emu industry.”

Peter is a member of the Oil Research Committee. He operates an emu oil refining plant near his home and actively promotes the emu industry in South Africa.

Originally titled the “American Emu Association Pioneer Award,” the award was renamed in 2004 in honor of industry pioneer, the late Bitsy Cartwright of Texas.

Most Valued Benefactor Award
Publisher Sherrie Schatz and editor Sheree Lewis accepted a special award on behalf of “Emu Today and Tomorrow” (ISSN 10626034). The “All Time Most Valued Benefactor Award” was presented to the magazine in acknowledgement of the support the industry has received over the years. The plaque reads: “For your dedicated service, undying loyalty, exceptional accomplishments and unflinching generosity on behalf of the emu industry.” Established in 1991, Emu Today and Tomorrow is the only industry related publication currently on the market. “This award will never be repeated,” stated Marcia Huddleston, Awards Coordinator, “because no one else stayed with us all the way from the beginning of the industry.”

Volunteer Recognition
Other volunteers recognized for their hard work in promoting the emu industry were Judy Bracht of Ohio and Clover Quinn of Montana, with a special thanks to the Wisconsin Emu Association for organizing and hosting the convention.

EMU MALL
The “EMU MALL” exhibit area was open to the public on Friday and Saturday in the conference area of the Madison West-Marriott Hotel, Middleton, Wisconsin. “Both shoppers and retailers were welcome,” said Joy Reavis, WIEA President. “Several of the companies represented at the mall welcomed distributor inquiries.”

The Emu Mall had a collection of booths offering information as well as selling everything from original egg art to the latest additions to the Royal Leather collection from EPMI. EPMI is the largest retailer of emu leather in the United States. In addition to emu leather, EPMI offers a line of health and beauty products as well as private label formulations. www.epmi.net .

The Adapt-A-Life booth offered a complete line of cutting edge nutritional supplements, pain relief formulas and therapeutic creams. adapt-a-life.com .

The “Elegant Eggs by Marilyn” booth showcased original design, heirloom quality egg art by Iowa artist Marilyn Miller. Mrs. Miller uses emu, ostrich, rhea, goose and other eggshells in her creations. Her booth had music and jewelry boxes, dioramas, bells, Nativities and other wonderful original egg art creations.

Heartland Emu Marketing Cooperative, an Iowa based farming co-op, offered a variety of health and beauty products in their booth, including their mainstay, pure emu oil. They introduced the latest addition to the EmuVera line, Men's Master Shave and Men’s Moisture Talc. The co-op also carries a line of emu meat products and snack sticks. www.heartlandemu.com .

Image Consultant Wanda Bishop provided free color analysis and image consultations in the Awesome Hilltop Acres booth. In addition to an emu oil based skin care line, Awesome Hilltop Acres introduced two new product lines. Their new mineral rich powder line of blushes and shadows is a wonderful addition to their other skin nourishing products. They are also introduced a new line of perfume oils blended with emu oil. “The perfume lasts much longer than alcohol based perfumes which evaporate,” said Wanda Bishop. www.awesomeemuoil.com .

Big Bird Villa had a display of egg art and introduced Emu Essentials, a line of collagen-rich, high performance skin therapy products. In addition to health and beauty products, the line includes pain management products for professionals as well as consumers. The cornerstone product in the pain management collection is Warming Massage Therapy, a unique blend of emu oil and eucalyptus. “Warming Massage Therapy is gaining popularity with massage therapists and chiropractors,” said DeShea Villoch, CEO. www.dshae.com .

Aromatherapist Jeani Heisz did aromatherapy demonstrations and consultations at the Head 2 Toe booth. In addition to their line of essential oil blends, Head 2 Toe carries a line of Aromatherapy Pillows and Gourmet Coffee. They introduced several new products at the Emu Mall, including “Cool Heat” a massage gel, a new herb enhanced Clay Mask, Moon Milk Bath Blend and several new items for men.

Valley View Emus introduced the latest addition to their Jade Jewels health and beauty product line, Ultra Emu Oil. In addition to Jade Jewels, Valley View Emus invited the public to check out their soap specials, painted emu eggs, clean blown eggs, assorted decorator items, eggshell jewelry and kitty toys. A member of the Upper Midwest Soapers Guild, Grandma Mary’s Soaps is based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The four-year-old company introduced their signature lines of Emu Oil Soap and Honey Oatmeal Soap, as well as a new pet shampoo.

Earl the Emu®, popular star of the “Earl the Emu: Bible Adventures for Children” television show, was also at the Emu Mall. He made appearances on both days. Earl’s biographer and co-star, Ms. Pat Winston, was on hand to autograph book copies. www.earlemu.com

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general farm organization, had an information booth at the Emu Mall. The American Emu Association and Wisconsin Emu Association also had booths offering emu related information, cookbooks and other items of interest.

Sunday
Sunday morning started with a short church service officiated by Dick Bracht from Ohio. It was followed by a round table discussion between the AEA Board of Directors and the convention attendees. This discussion closed the convention.

The American Emu Association is a national, non-profit organization that represents an alternative agricultural industry, dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society.

For more information about emus and the products produced by this alternative agriculture, or to join AEA, visit the American Emu Association website at www.aea-emu.org or call (541) 332-0675.

For information about the Wisconsin Emu Association (WIEA), visit http://www.wiea-emu.org or call 608-897-8224.

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