BACKGROUND                                                                                                                   

The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) was established as a revolving fund by the 1996 Farm Bill to aid the nation's sheep and goat industries.

MISSION

To assist the US Sheep and Goat Industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep, goats, and their products in the United States.

OVERVIEW

The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC), or Sheep Center, is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2008j. NSIIC is a fund established in the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, to provide seed-money for a revolving fund that will provide financial assistance through a variety of mechanisms for the enhancement and marketing of sheep or goat products in the United States with an emphasis on infrastructure development. The NSIIC is a unique pilot program that will eventually be privatized.

The management of NSIIC is vested in a Board of Directors that is appointed by, and reports to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Board of Directors consists of 7 voting members chosen from the sheep and goat industries. The respective Under Secretaries for Rural Development and Research, Education and Economics also serve as non-voting members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director serves as the CEO and NSIIC relies on RD and CSREE for staff support in areas such as budget, OGC and personnel.

Congress saw the need to address the industry declines and created the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) as an innovative new approach of addressing the needs of the sheep and goat industries. The NSIIC provides a mechanism for much needed capital to the sheep and goat industries in a way that will help the industry into perpetuity.