Meet the four candidates that have stepped up and are running for the two seats that are opening up on the EAPK Board in July.
- Marti Carlson
- Lee Holcomb
- Colt Robinson
- Larry Weeks
The elected members will serve from July 2026 – June 2029. Learn more about the candidates, in their own words, below. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Please vote for two candidates when you receive your ballot.
Marti Carlson
My name is Marti Carlson and I am honored to be considered for a position on the Board of Directors for EAPK. While you may recognize my name from the KHSI Expo, where I have served as chairman for the past three years, I’d like to share a little more about myself personally. I’m a dedicated producer and strong advocate for the sheep industry, and I bring both hands-on experience and a genuine commitment to advancing the breed. I have been raising Katahdins for eight years and have entered data into NSIP for seven of those years. Yes, I jumped in headfirst into NSIP as a new producer, and I would absolutely do it again. That experience has given me a firsthand understanding of many of the challenges and opportunities facing production-oriented producers today.
I’ve always enjoyed the science side of the industry and have valued the opportunity to participate in NSIP on my farm and contribute to research that helps advance the breed (e.g. GEMS). While we use NSIP data in our operation, I also understand it is not the right fit for everyone, and I believe every perspective deserves to be heard.
Ultimately, we all share the goals: promoting the breed, strengthening the lamb market, and improving producer profitability through good shepherding, strong marketing, and data-driven decisions. Over the past eight years, I’ve been surprised by how many people have never heard of hair sheep or the Katahdin breed, and how many producers either do not understand EBVs or have received misinformation about them. I believe this is an area where the NSIP association can improve, and by working together, we can help bridge that gap and continue strengthening our association.
In addition, to being the chairman over the KHSI Expo, I assisted in creating the Texas Katahdin Hair Sheep Association (TexKats) for which I have been a Board Member and Vice President for three years. As an association, we have been promoting the breed across Texas through various events and social media campaigns. I believe there is great value in coming together as shepherds, establishing friendships, and sharing knowledge.
Professionally, I have over two decades of leadership and public service in law enforcement, psychology, crisis management, program development, promotions, and teaching. Throughout my 24-year career, I’ve managed complex departments and programs, overseen multi-million-dollar budgets, and led teams through high-pressure, mission-critical work. I’m someone who believes in hard work, teamwork, and being willing to step forward when needed. Throughout my career, I consistently answered the call as a first responder in the wake of hurricanes, major fires, and prison disturbances – and I was always eager to be in that first wave. I thrive working alongside diverse stakeholders, from local communities to regional agencies and national organizations and I believe the best outcomes are built together. These experiences have instilled in me a deep appreciation for structure, transparent leadership, and group involvement—all of which I would bring to the Board.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Lee Hocomb
Lee Holcomb
LeeDer Farms
Hiddenite, NC
I am Lee Holcomb, from LeeDer Farms, here in the Foothills of North Carolina running for re-election to the EAPK Board of Directors. My wife Der and I have two young daughters, and we own a 20-acre property with about 35 ewes. Our focus at LeeDer Farms remains the seedstock side of Katahdins but trying to meet the needs of commercial producers as well as other seedstock producers who would liketo enhance their flocks. NSIP is one tool we try to include in our decision making while still paying attention to phenotype. We have been raising Katahdins now for over 10 years, and been in NSIP since 2019.
I have served as Secretary and now President of EAPK for the past three years. Getting to serve on the EAPK BOD has allowed me to grow in my understanding of the sheep industry across the Eastern United States. It has also allowed me to get to know more EAPK members and what some of the challenges we face within EAPK. Our founding members of EAPK did a fantastic job in getting things up and going and quickly establishing EAPK as one of the premier educational sheep groups. Through the Educational Outreach subcommittees we continue to give great article education and then also allow dialogue with other shepherds through Open Forums or Educational webinars.
My hope in running for re-election is to use what I’ve learned in these past three years and work with the Committees and EAPK BOD to enhance your experience even further. I appreciate all the mentorship from past EAPK BOD members and current ones. I try to lead with a calm disposition while hearing all opinions and being transparent with results. I hope you’ll consider me for your vote for EAPK Board of Directors.
Colt Robinson
Colt Robinson
4R Farms
Hartselle, AL
My name is Colt Robinson and I am the owner/operator of 4R Farms in northern Alabama. More importantly, I am husband to my wife Savannah and proud father of two very capable farm kids. I grew up on a generational commodity crop farm in Mississippi that my grandfather and great uncles operated. As a child, I fell in love with livestock on my uncle’s farm. He raised a “Tiger Stripe” cow (Hereford/ Brahman cross) and touted their maternal ability, disease resistance, and growth potential. I often compare that cross to the Katahdin breed.
Unfortunately, like many family farms, death, circumstances, and time leads to the extinction of what existed for generations. Although I loved farming, the potential to have my own never seemed obtainable so I joined the US Army instead. I served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army and am proud of my service to this great country. I served on active duty for 7 years and retired in 2018 due to an injury that occurred in the line of duty. I went to work for the Army as a contractor and immediately started looking for farmland. When evaluating profitable opportunities to raise livestock, I found sheep to be the perfect fit.
Once I chose sheep, I dug my heels in and decided to make it work. I purchased 35 acres and secured the ability to graze acreage nearby. I started with 5 ewes and have grown to about 200 ewes between my two NSIP flocks comprised of Katahdin’s and Polypays. I breed and select for hardiness, parasite resistance, balanced maternal traits, and growth rates that support the marketing opportunities that I pursue. I participate in the Virginia Tech Ram Test to evaluate the genetic merit of my rams. I spend much of my time working with other sheep producers in my role as the Alabama Director for the American Sheep Industry (ASI), Co-chair of the Alabama Farmers Federation Sheep and Goat Board, member of the EAPK symposium, sale, and communications committees, as well as speaking at local sheep and goat events as an experienced producer. I have a passion for educating and advising producers to help meet their goals.
I have hefty goals for this organization and am looking forward to the opportunity to work with other board members to develop plans for expanding this organization, helping promote the use of data in genetic selection within the industry, initiating youth production education and expanding marketing opportunities for producers. I want to see the commercial producer thrive by increasing flock productivity and hardiness with help from the seed stock producers that are producing a stud animal that fits the needs of the industry. That animal would be one that produces more pounds of lamb weaned, has lower death loss due to increased hardiness, and possesses overall improved productivity. I think EAPK is a great organization to aid in achieving these goals while growing our platform for the purposes of education and breed promotion. I will continue to promote the use of data and balancing genotypes with structural soundness. I am production minded and believe that I can help other producers if given the opportunity to serve on this board. I look forward to working with the team in a new role as an EAPK board member.
Larry Weeks
Larry Weeks – Triple L Farms, Waynesboro, Virginia
Lisa and I began raising registered Katahdin sheep in 1990, when the breed was still relatively unknown. In those early years, Katahdin were often mistaken for goats, and those of us raising them were considered the “odd kids on the block” at sheep events. Over the past 34 years, however, we have witnessed remarkable growth in the breed and its impact on the sheep industry.
One of the most significant contributions of the Katahdin has been its adaptability and natural parasite resistance, particularly in regions where barber pole worm challenges have limited sheep production. Early on, we encouraged research efforts at Virginia Tech and other universities because our flock consistently required fewer deworming treatments than conventional management practices suggested. We believed the breed possessed valuable genetic advantages that deserved further study.
Since 2001, we have participated in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP), using performance data and genetic evaluation tools to continuously improve our flock. We have contributed to multiple research projects focused on parasite resistance, including participation in the Virginia Tech Southwest Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SWAREC) Ram Test since its inception in 2012 and the OREI genomic research project. Continued research remains critical as we work to better understand the genes that influence economically important traits and how those genes interact.
Beyond our own operation, Lisa and I have always worked to promote the sheep industry. We have served on numerous boards and committees and have supported educational and industry-development efforts wherever possible.
Approximately seven years ago, we joined a group of producers who recognized the need for additional education, networking opportunities, and a premier sale dedicated to Katahdin sheep. Those discussions ultimately led to the formation of the Eastern Alliance for Production Katahdin (EAPK). The effort required to establish the organization, develop its website, and launch a successful sale was tremendous. Lisa was elected to the inaugural Board of Directors and served two terms. I am grateful for her service and would welcome the opportunity to contribute in a similar role.
Today, the challenge is maintaining and building upon the momentum that EAPK has created. When I entered the sheep industry in 1990, I believed the future was bright, but I could not have imagined the role that genetics would play in advancing sheep production. We now have powerful tools to help producers raise sheep that thrive in diverse environments and meet evolving industry demands.
As opportunities expand through targeted grazing, vegetation management in solar installations, and growing consumer demand for sheep products, EAPK has an important role in helping producers succeed. If elected to the Board of Directors, I will work to support education, research, genetic improvement, and marketing opportunities that strengthen both our members and the Katahdin breed.
I would appreciate your support for the EAPK Board of Directors.
