|
Ron Wilkinson: Ron grew up on a farm and has raised animals nearly all of his life. Active in 4-H from 4th grade on, then FFA in high school, Ron’s animal projects included dairy, sheep, beef and swine. It was probably only natural that during college he started leading his first 4-H livestock club. (Ron and Gail continued to lead 4-H sheep clubs in Prineville and Walla Walla once their children were old enough to participate.)
Following college, Ron began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in McMinnville, Oregon. In 1976, with the beginning of their family, Ron and Gail moved to a small farm and began raising and showing registered Montadale sheep. Ron immediately became involved as a leader within the Northwest Montadale Association and was elected to the national association board of directors in 1978, where he served through 2005, including two terms as president. In 1977 Ron began his education administrator career, which included twenty years as a building administrator and eighteen years as a central office administrator. He retired in 2015 as superintendent of schools in Bend, Oregon where he was named Oregon Superintendent of the Year in 2012. Although career moves as an educator forced him to move his family and animals, his love and commitment to producing high quality livestock has not waivered. After purchasing his first llama to guard their sheep in 1997, he began his production llama enterprise with that same commitment to excellence in 2001. |
|
Gail Wilkinson: Gail grew up living in town. Although she was also active in 4-H, it was with knitting projects. Besides a cat and dog, her first real contact with animals came during high school, when she visited Ron at the local county fair where he was showing all of his animal enterprises. It was sort of like, “Love me, love my animals” with Ron. Apparently Gail decided “yes”, because after nearly 52 years of marriage and raising a daughter and two sons, they are still together educating others and producing livestock. She and Ron are also now very proud grandparents to three super grandsons and two awesome granddaughters.
Gail was also an educator, retired in 2015 from teaching 1st grade at Lava Ridge Elementary School in Bend and serving as an instructional leader at her school. She often incorporated animals in lessons and activities with her students. Gail was recognized as one of the eight finalist for Bend-La Pine Schools’ “Teacher of the Year” in 2010. She has played a key role in the success of their livestock enterprises and uses her special touch to keep their home well decorated and their decks and lawns in full bloom with flowers during the spring and summer. |
|