If anyone knows anything about me, they can tell you I love to talk about rabbits.  Rabbit are my # 1 love and will always be.  I have been involved in rabbits since 1981 when I started Karen’s Rabbits (a self established Hobby Business) with the help of my parents where we raised New Zealand Whites.  I have also worked with the following breeds: Netherland Dwarfs, Standard Chinchillas, Dutch, Jersey Woolies, Mini Lops, French Lops, Mini Rex, Silver Fox, Satins and Florida Whites.  It has become a family hobby with involvement from my mother, my sister and my brother.  We have raised a few pet cavies during this time but concentrated more on the rabbit aspect.  I maintain a purebred pedigreed show stock and breeding herd (5 breeds at the moment).  I am responsible for all records pertaining to care, pedigrees, breedings, show records and show entries.  I am responsible for all breedings and care of pregnant does.  I have designed and built majority of my cages to size specifics for the breeds.  I am also responsible for marketing of our stock and updating my website.  I also offer General Care Consultation and have attended many workshops and meetings as a speaker/presenter on rabbit topics.  I was the 1989 Maryland State 4-H Rabbit Project winner and won a trip to National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, Illinois.  Through my involvement in 4-H, I became a 4-H project leader in Talbot County as well as a State Project Leader in Maryland.  I started the Talbot County Fair Rabbit and Cavy Show in 1992 and the show has grown each year.  I became a 4-H project leader in Caroline County in 2006 and formed the Hopping Around 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Club.  I also help with the Caroline County 4-H Rabbit Show and hope to include Cavies in the future.  I have been a member of the Maryland State 4-H Rabbit Council since 1990 and worked under the leadership of Dr. Charles Wabeck who was my mentor.  The Rabbit Council is responsible for workshops, state judging contests as well as the State Fair Show.  I have been the Maryland State Fair Rabbit & Cavy Show Secretary since 2008.  I just recently started working with the Sussex County 4-H Bunny Busters Club in Delaware.

 
On the ARBA level, I have been a member since @ 1991.  I am a founding member of the Delmarva Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Association which was formed and chartered by ARBA in 2001.  I have served in numerous officer positions and have been appointed Secretary/Treasurer for the organization in conjunction with being the Show Secretary.  Every year DRCBA holds an Annual Show and we continue to grow each year with Specialty Shows and entries.  I also serve as a Director to PaSRBA for DRCBA and attend the meetings faithfully.  I am also a Principal Member of PaSRBA and help at the Annual Convention in February as well as other shows by volunteering to help at the Secretary's Table as well as be a writer for various breeds.  I am also a founding member of the Maryland State Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Association which was formed and chartered in 2009 and serve as a Director for the Eastern Shore.  In the future I hope to become a Registrar and eventually a Judge.

       
In my "other" life, I grew up on an 1100 acre beef and grain farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  I love to hunt, fish, crab, horseback ride, and enjoy the overall outdoors.  I have a Bachelor's of Science degree in Large Animal Science from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA.  Since graduating in 1996, I have worked in the Real Estate industry as an Office Manager and recently a Regional Administrator.  I have been a licensed Salesperson since 2005.  I am a member of the Talbot County Fair Board where I help to plan and promote the Annual Fair.  I am a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau and have served as the 1st Vice Chair for the State Farm Bureau Women's Committee as well as on the Annual Convention Committee.  I am a past member of the Talbot Agricultural Center Board of Directors where my grandfather was a founding member.

I look forward to working with everyone in District 9 and seeing new faces at the upcoming shows.  If you don't know me, then please stop and introduce yourself.  I'm always looking forward to meeting new rabbit friends and broadening my rabbit knowledge.