Farrier Industry Association Newsletter

Farrier Industry Association
2201 Regency Road
Ste #704
Lexington, KY 40503

Staff Contacts
Executive Director:
Martha Jones

Member Services Manager: Margie Brangers

www.farrierindustry.org

2025 Board of Directors

President: Rob Michel
Vice President: Eric Nygaard
Secretary: Audrie Salsbury
Treasurer: John Harshbarger
Past President: Mark Hickcox
Member: Erin Baayen
Member: Bobby Salsbury
Member:  Stacie Beall

Member: Torri Broadus

Hello FIA Members!

Spring begins this month and I am counting down the days to warmer weather!  I would rather sweat any day rather than freeze.  The garden seed catalogues have been arriving in the mail for weeks.  How do they expect me to choose between 10 different green beans?  Oh, the choices!!   I am confident I am up for the challenge!!

The AFA Convention will be in Little Rock, Arkansas, March 16-20, 2026.  Mark your calendars so you don't overbook that week!  We are currently seeking bids for a show decorator.  We will all be together in just 12 short months!!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time via email or call/text me at (502) 779-1522 if you need my assistance.

FIA Progress – President’s View

Happy March FIA Members,

The months of January and February brought minimal price increases across our industry. However, recent new tariffs have impacted imported steel and aluminum supplies, prompting several farrier trailer manufacturers to impose price increases.

As price increases are on the horizon, clear communication between manufacturers and suppliers will be key. While supply houses can adjust retail prices quickly, it’s more challenging for farriers. Providing them with accurate and timely information will help prevent potential profit losses and equip them to effectively explain price hikes to their customers.

In addition, there is an important deadline approaching with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). FinCEN requires all corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and similar entities to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report. The filing deadline is March 21st, 2025, and can be completed by visiting FinCEN BOI Filing.

Exceptions include:

• Publicly traded companies (subject to SEC reporting)
• Banks and credit unions
• Insurance companies
• Registered investment companies
• Tax-exempt nonprofits
• Large operating companies (with at least 20 full-time employees, over $5 million in U.S. revenue, and a physical office in the U.S.)

Penalties for non-filing are severe:

• Civil Penalties: Fines of up to $500 per day for each day the violation continues.
• Criminal Penalties: Willful violations can result in fines up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years.

The filing process is straightforward and simple. I strongly encourage all FIA members required to file to do so before the deadline. It may also be helpful for supply houses to share this information with their customers.

Finally, we’ve received the survey results regarding the business conference. After reviewing the feedback, the Board has determined that it is not feasible to hold a conference in 2025. The focus will now shift to organizing an outstanding conference in 2026 in Little Rock, AR.

As always if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or anyone on the board with your questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Robert Michel

FIA President 

Oleo Acres Farrier & Blacksmith Supply

oafarriersupply@outlook.com

We are so very, very fortunate for all of          our members. 

Thank you to all of you for supporting us!

Welcome back to our members who renewed between February 1 and February 28, 2025.

3D Hoof Care - Derek Poupard

Anvil Brand - Steve Hoselton

Farmer's Feed LLC - Clint Ellis

Myron McLane Aprons - Myron McLane

Northeast Farrier Supply, Inc. - Vin Giannetti

Rusty Brown Jewelry - Erin Baayen

If you know of a company that you think might be interested in becoming a member of our Association, please send them this application:  2025 FIA Membership Form.docx

FIA GRANT PROGRAM

Are you hosting a clinic or customer event?  Coffee & Donuts are on us!

The FIA Board has earmarked six $150 member grants each year to be used for sponsorship of coffee and donuts at a clinic, open house, or other customer event!  There are only two grants left for the Spring so don't delay in submitting your application!

Click the link below to download the grant application.

2025 FIA Grant Application.pdf

HALL OF LEGENDS NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED!

Do you have a nominee for the 2025 Hall of Legends that you feel should be honored for his/her service to the industry and to our Association?  Nominees may be living or deceased. 

Please be sure that your business agrees to this nomination and that only one nominee is submitted per business.  All nominations are due to the FIA office by September 1, 2025.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Martha Jones.

Thank you for your consideration, and for helping us recognize our influential members in this special way!

Click on this link to access the nomination form:

FIA Hall of Legends Nomination Form.pdf

 OR 

FIA HALL OF LEGENDS ON-LINE FORM

DON'T FORGET - NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.

2025 American Farriers Team and Apprentice Team Sponsorship Opportunities!

There’s a lot of talk going around lately about teams, and what we’ve found most compelling is that, to a person, everyone agrees it’s a great learning and growth experience for a farrier. And that it pushes an individual to better himself (or herself) for the good of the team.

Several years ago, the AFA developed an Apprentice Team specifically for this purpose. The motivation was to encourage young farriers to participate on a team early in their careers, and ideally enjoy it and grow into it enough to continue pushing towards the next goal of the AFT. This year, for the first time, we are seeing the result of that effort. And we could not be more thrilled to see new faces on the Team such as Garrett Stark, CJF and David Reed, CJF. And of course, for both of these young men to have the experience of being on a team with individuals of the caliber of Sawyer, Bryan and Adam, is special indeed. It is our hope that this year will light the same fire for apprentices Jose Berumen, Jaycie Steger, CF, Aaron Warner, CF, and Eli Gingerich, CF, as well.

With that in mind, we could not be more excited about what’s ahead in 2025. The AFT will start their year at the WCB’s Winter Classic Team Challenge in Lexington, conduct practices and clinics across the country and go on to the International at Stoneleigh in September.

It is our hope that you will choose to support the 2025 American Farriers Team and Apprentice Team this year. Without you, this path of learning would not be possible – as it is a substantial commitment to send these 9 individuals around the country and on to England. Thank you for your consideration!

Please contact either Team Manager, Travis Smith, CJF, or Martha Jones with questions and/or to join us for our 2025 season!

AFT Sponsorship 2025.pdf

March 16-20, 2026

Why are frogs so happy?

They eat whatever bugs them!

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