ALB Hires Sustainability Director
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is pleased to introduce its sustainability director, Camren Maierle, PhD. He will lead the ALB’s research and producer education initiatives in this area and contribute to advancing the sheep industry’s commitment to sustainability, one of the top priorities for this checkoff-funded association.
In this new position, the first one added since ALB began more than 20 years ago, Maierle’s initial focus will be to develop and maintain a nationally recognized solar grazing education program, cultivate other contract grazing opportunities, and work with industry partners to improve American Lamb sustainability.
Maierle will also manage many aspects of the Climate Smart Grant, which is being finalized between USDA and ALB. In addition, he will help develop educational tools and mitigation strategies based upon the checkoff-funded Michigan State University project outcomes and implement with the industry.
Maierle is uniquely qualified to fulfill the role of sustainability director for the Lamb Board. An Ohio native, he has a bachelor’s in animal science from The Ohio State University, and both master’s and doctoral degrees in animal and food science from West Virginia University. Maierle has most recently been a livestock extension educator with Penn State University Extension, leading schools for sheep producers.
Maierle begins with ALB part-time on July 1 as he transitions from his Penn State Extension role, going full-time on October 1. He is in the process of moving back to the family farm in Ohio and will be working remotely from there.
“I’m excited to apply my passion for the sheep industry and dedication to practical, science-based education to this role,” Maierle said. “Opportunities of this magnitude for the sheep industry are rare and I fear, if missed, the industry will not have time to reclaim our seat at the table.”
About the American Lamb Board
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is the national promotion, research and information checkoff program that works on behalf of all American producers (commercial and seedstock), feeders, direct marketers and processors to build demand for American Lamb. Funding is through mandatory assessments paid by all industry segments. The 13-member board represents all industry sectors, geographic regions and sizes of production. The work of the ALB is overseen by USDA and supported by staff in Denver, CO. Almost two-thirds of the annual budget funds American Lamb promotion programs. For more information, contact ALB at: info@americanlamb.com, or 866-327-LAMB (5262).
