Communications Day eMAIL

Dear Goat Families,

Happy Holidays!

Many of our Goat Families have mentioned looking for ideas on how to enhance educational aspect of their goat project - well here is an opportunity.

I am writing now so you have time to think about it plan for a project to participate in for the Communication Day event in Lansing on Saturday, February 14 (registration is due January 21st).

For those of you who have never gone to Communications Day before – it is a one day event where the youth basically competes against themselves (a scorecard is published in the info. booklet). Each person will receive a Gold, Silver, Bronze or participant medal for each event they participate in.

Also - this year the youth have an opportunity to earn $100 - every youth who enters at least 3 events and receives at least 3 silver medals will be entered into the drawing – and they will be giving out 5 of the $100 checks.

For registration contact the Extension Office. I will also post the informational booklet on our website. http://goatdevelopmentalcommittee.blogspot.com/

Thanks,



Lori Ostrom

GDC Secretary



Communications Day Events Information IN BRIEF…

1.Art – pen, ink, charcoal, water color, acrylic or pastel

2.Photography – black & white or color

3.Patch or Pin Design – simple design, must include name of event, year and 4-H clover…

4.Public Speaking – give speech on topic related to your 4-H interest

5.Cookery & Nutrition – prepare dish and display it, must give 3-5 min illustrated talk on promotional aspects of main ingredients

6.Graphic Design – develop a slogan or theme that promotes a project area or educates the viewer about a project – should be 1 page, original designs only

7.Demonstration – can be an individual or Team presentation; must demonstrate a step-by-step process on how to do something – include visual aids and an oral presentation – no live animals, time limits on presentation

8.Educational Exhibit – create an exhibit on a topic of your interst that will inform viewers about the project area – must relate to 4-H project areas. Exhibit should be free standing and fit in a 3x4 foot area (usually a free standing poster board)

9.Job Interview contest – submit a cover letter and resume, interviews day of event

10.Citizenship Challenge – work in teams of 3 to create a citizenship education presentation. Each Team will be given a slip of paper with a social issue written on it – and then they will prepare a visual presentation using the 5 parts of 4-h citizenship to address the issue – they will be given 30 minutes to do this – then they will give oral presentation using their visual display – maximum length of final presentation is 5 minutes.

Happy Holidays - Quiz Bowl Practice Coming Soon

Happy Holidays to you all!

As you enjoy the holidays, please remember that we will be starting our quiz bowl preparations soon.

We still have openings to be on the Jr/Sr Quiz Bowl teams for Kent County. Please eMAIL lori_greenacres@yahoo.com if you are intersted.

We will post shortly have the first of the year the schedule and activities for the 2009 Kent County Quiz Bowl Team.

Happy Holidays!

Kent County Youth attend Goat Workshop

MSU Names New Small Ruminant Specialist

MSU Names New Small Ruminant Specialist

10/16/08

Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 175

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Richard Ehrhardt will be joining the faculty in the departments of Animal Science and Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU) as an Extension specialist focusing on small ruminant management, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

He will be responsible for providing leadership to maintain the competitiveness of Michigan’s sheep and goat industries. This will include conducting research and working with faculty members across the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to address issues related to small ruminant production, management and health. As part of the MSU Extension system, he will work with the county-based educator network to disseminate research-based information across the state.

Ehrhardt will also work with veterinarians in the CVM Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences to train future professionals in ruminant care and with the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health to address the diagnostic and medical issues facing sheep and goat owners.

“I am very pleased that Dr. Ehrhardt has accepted this position,” says Karen Plaut, chairperson of the MSU Department of Animal Science. “He offers experience in ruminant nutrition, physiology and reproduction, and an extensive teaching and research background, and he is solidly grounded in the sheep industry as a manager and breeder. It’s the perfect combination that MSU needs to move our small ruminant program into the future.”

Ehrhardt holds doctoral and master’s degrees in animal science from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin.

Ehrhardt comes to MSU from Cornell University, where he has served as a research associate in the Department of Animal Science investigating metabolic regulation in ruminants. His Extension work experience includes conducting on-farm research and offering presentations at producer events. He has also taught undergraduate courses and supervised research for undergraduate and graduate students at Cornell.

Ehrhardt will be housed in the Department of Animal Science in Anthony Hall. The department phone number is 517-355-8383.
#lp#

QUIZ BOWL NEWS.....

Check out the link under 2009 for up-to-date information on the 2009 Quiz Bowl Team.

Quiz Bowl is held at the State Goat Expo in Lansing - it will be on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

START PLANNING NOW...
They have many fun and interesting events to participate in:

Quiz bowl
Skillathon
Animal Judging
Crafts
Problem Solving
Writing Exhibits
Illustrated Talk.

Check out the link Quiz Bowl Link under 2009 for additional information.

The Lowell Youth Goat Show will have it's own page for information -
http://lowellyouthand4hgoatshow.blogspot.com/
or you can click to it under the 2009 Links (on the first page of our website)

Check out the "Nicole" link on the "2008" page....

2009 GDC Calendar is finalized....

2009 Kent County GDC Calendar

1.13.09 = Meeting 7pm @ Extension Office
2.10.09 = Meeting 7pm @ Extension Office
3.21.09 = Goat Fun Day @ Extension Office 10am - 4pm
4.14.09 = Meeting 7pm @ Extension Office
July, 2009 = Goat Clinic @ Fairgrounds (date to be announced)
August, 2009 = Kent County Youth Fair
9.08.09 = Meeting 7pm @ Extension Office

Other Dates to remember:

2.14.09 = Communication Skills Day @ MSU Lansing
4.25.09 = State Goat Expo @ Anthony Hall in Lansing (Quiz Bowl day!)
6.13.09 = LOWELL YOUTH GOAT SHOW @ FAIRGROUNDS
6.27.09 = State Goat Show @ MSU Pavillion

Goat Teen & Adult Volunteer Leadership Workshop

4-H Goat Teen & Adult Volunteer Leader Workshop

Workshop 605

October 24–26, 2008 – Kettunen Center

Gain new ideas and information about the 4-H goat project. You’ll choose from a variety of learning opportunities including herd management, health, nutrition, exhibiting skills, animal evaluation and 4-H club programs. You’ll have the chance to exchange ideas, make new friends and develop new networks with other individuals who have a high interest in the 4-H goat program. A highlight of the workshop will be the auction that is held in support of the State 4-H Goat Award and other goat-related 4-H educational events. You are encouraged to develop plans for sharing what you learn at the workshop in your county. Open to adult and teen volunteers aged 13 and up.

See the link on HOME page for "4-H Goat Leader Workshop"

Nicole Praniewicz -

Nicole represents Kent County and placed 6th out of 14 counties at the State Fair.

Great Job Nicole!

Insert info....

Check out the goat barn photos page...

See the Link "2008 Goat Barn Photos"

How many goat pens?

Hi all,

It's going to be a very tight squeeze this year.

So far I have 4 pens in the tent. If you have any scratches for fair please let me know as soon as possible. I heard from poultry tonight their tent will be full too so getting 4 goat pens in there will be a challenge.

I have the most recent pen count -

Alto -16
Boondockers- 9
Caledonia FFA -1
Flaming Hoofprints - 1
Flat River 4H - 2
Goats N'Such - 3
North Kent - 19
South Boston - 1
Sparta Livestock - 4

total 56 pens and there are 52 in the barn.

Again please call me if you have any scratches.

Thanks, see you this weekend.
Maruszka

Needed: White wire hangars...

Hi all,

I've run out of white wire hangars and that is what we have been
using to hang the flowering baskets at the barn. They need to be wire
so they can be stretched out. If you have some please bring them down
on Saturday or anytime before that, just leave them in the milk room. Thanks!
We will need maybe a dozen.

Maruska

Fair Reminders from Maruska

The following is a summary of the eMAILS Maruska has been sending out as reminders:

1. 1pm Sunday begins Goat checkin - Please do not put any goats in pens until AFTER the ID & Vet check. Line up at the east entrance of the goat barn and please don't forget your $1.50 for the vet. We would like to be done by 3pm - so please arrive early.

2. IF you leased a goat - Please remember to bring your signed lease agreement and if the goat you are using is a registered goat, then please also bring those papers.

3. IF you have a market wether - please stay round the barn until goat weigh in. Time is TBA.

4. 4pm Sunday - Leader's Meeting/GDC Meeting at the picnic area next to the poultry barn. We will have a short meeting - Leaders & Parents are welcome.

5. The Goat Barn is scheduled to staff Guest Services on Tuesday. The only slot left to fill is 6-8 pm Please eMAIL Maruska if you are able to work - we need 2 Exhibitors and 1 adult.

6. Clubs with 5+ members need to post thier barn duty schedule inside the barn.

7. Please remind all, exhibitors, guests and those setting up decorations to please take good care of our new pens - no climbing on the new pens.

See you at Fair!

Showmanship Clinic is this SATURDAY!

Saturday, July 26th @ 10am

Kent County Fairgrounds in Lowell

This is a great time for beginners to learn how its done and veteran youth to practice up for Fair.

Be sure to have your goat unloaded and ready to go by 10am sharp - and don't forget to bring a water bucket for your goat.

Milking Parlor

If you are planning to use the milk room at Fair this year - please arrange to help get it ready...

Families using the milk stands should get together if you can so it will go fast.

Please do it close to fair as it gets dusty again right away.

All three milk stands and the shelves and the window inside and out need to be cleaned.

Any liquid soap will do - maybe some disinfectant added, and a stiff scrub brush works best.

There is a hose there to rinse everything off.

Maruszka will take care of cleaning the desk.

Thanks everyone!

Q: Why do we need a declaration form for Explorers?

.
A: There are 4 reasons I require a declaration form for Explorers.

1- Their showmanship is non-competitive and besides their ribbons I
plan on goodie bags for them that are presented in the ring. I need an
accurate count ahead of time on how many explorers there are so I can
purchase what I need and have them ready. It would be a shame for
someone to show up for the day and not get the same reward.

2- Most explorers do show a goat already on the grounds and declared
by another exhibitor, but some do not. They just want to bring their
goat for the day and show it. Space in the barn in always at a
premium and we share any overflow with the poultry tent. I need an
exact count of what goats will be at the fairgrounds even if it's
just for Monday's show, I need a pen for that goat.

3- State law requires ID check of all goats coming to fair. If
someone just shows up with an explorer and a goat without the proper
ID they are going to get turned away. This has been avoided in the
past by having all ID information in advance of fair so check-in goes
smoothly and their ID can get looked at and compared to what we have on record.

4- Vet check is required on all goats coming to fair even if it is
just for the day. I require explorers who only want to bring their
goat from home to the Fair for Mondays show to also come on Sunday for the vet check.

Answer is from the Goat Superintendent - Maruska Hufstader

SHOWMANSHIP CLINIC

Saturday, July 26th @ 10am

Kent County Fairgrounds in Lowell

This is a great time for beginners to learn how its done and veteran youth to practice up for Fair.

Be sure to have your goat unloaded and ready to go by 10am sharp - and don't forget to bring a water bucket for your goat.

Goat Pen update - LAST ONE!

Hi all,

The pens are done, the painting is done. All that is left is some clean up.
I'll be putting up a sign in the goat barn for fair week thanking all who helped. Club leaders - if you names that you want included let me know, I don't want to miss anyone.

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Mike and Cindy Nosko who did the pen gate construction and I think all the rest of the touch up painting since Thursday. I was pretty stunned at how fast it came together. Mike is a builder ( http://www.michaelnoskoinc.com/) and it helped enormously to have his expertise on the construction.

Any other updates will be fair related and will go to the email list of those who declared to show this year.

Thanks again for all who helped.

Maruszka

Come on out to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday 6.23.08...

Some BIG THANK YOU"S going out -

Josh Lambert from Goats "N Such for the priming and painting of the ceiling. That was a big job, and it looks great.

Bob Hale who is Lori Ostrom's (Saprta Livestock) dad spent Friday after the meeting starting on the box building. He got a lot done and they look great.

Today Mike and Cindy Nosko (Boondockers) are building more of the boxes, and anchoring them to the concrete wall for stability.

It was decided to stain the boxes rather than paint. It will penetrate the wood more and not flake off. I'll be picking that up on Monday. Tuesday will be a work day, bring a paint brush if you can help with the staining. I will be down there about 11:00am.

Ron Wenger and Bob McWhinny from the fairgrounds have also done a lot to help.

It's getting there, we can always use more help. The more that pitch in the easier it is.

Thanks,
Maruszka

Goat Pens update... can you paint today?

Hi all,

Many thanks to Josh Lambert who came out last night and sprayed most of the ceiling and Todd MacQueen who did more raking.

The fair has rollers and pans for anyone who would like to come out and start on the walls. I'll leave some in the goat barn. They close up at 5 or 5:30 so if you come before that they will make sure you can get in the goat barn. Otherwise let me know and I will make sure it is unlocked.

Always please lock the padlock when you leave.

They are just waiting for all the painting to get done so they can have the gravel brought in so please anyone who can help let's get it done.

After the gravel than pens will be constructed.

Thanks,
Maruszka

Animal Disease Management Plan

At the May Fair board meeting the animal disease outbreak plan for the fair was approved. Each animal division was asked to write up a plan for their area in case a disease outbreak occurred.

I wrote our plan and it was reviewed and approved with a few suggestions by Dr.
Dan Hart DVM.

It is posted here for your information and all who are coming to Fair should take some time to read it, it is only 2 pages long. (See link under "Kent County 2008" on the right margin of the website).

Thanks,
Maruszka Hufstader

Tuesday August 10th - opportunity!

Hi all,

Josh Lambert from Goats N' Such will be at the barn Tuesday evening to spray paint the ceiling. A few dads or older boys who could help would be appreciated.
Carpentry opportunities are coming soon. I will keep you posted.

Thanks,
Maruszka

We are making progress.....time to paint - can you help?

Hi all,

Many thanks to the Boondockers club who power washed a second time removing even more of the flaked paint on the ceiling. Also many thanks for a lot of work put in by some North Kent 4Her families, raking out the large amount of paint chips all over the floor of the barn. It's looking a lot better.

We are ready for paint please help. We need a few volunteers to spray the ceiling and walls which will be in the back of the pens. We are starting to fall behind a little on the calendar. Please contact me at m_v_huf@att.net if you can help. There is still a lot to be done to get things ready for fair.

Thanks,
Maruszka

MDGS Show = June 14 @ Ionia

from MIGOAT yahoo group posting:

The MDGS Youth show will be held June 14 at the Ionia Fair Grounds in Ionia MI.

There are no entry fees for this show (must be a youth with animals registered in the youth's name). However to help with the expenses for this Youth Show we are asking for donations. There will be a raffle table with the proceeds going for expenses. Dorothea is also accepting monetary donations towards the expense of prizes for the youth and to pay the other expenses.

If you have any questions you can contact Dorothea at 269-673-1749

Thank you - but more help is needed.

Thank you to all who have stepped forward to help with the goat pens. More help is still needed so please step up and volunteer.

See eMAIL below for work to be done.

Help is needed to finish to goat barn...

Hi all,
I received the following from Todd MacQueen. Do we really want to have new pens but a lost opportunity to paint? Please Please help with this. The next fairboard meeting isn't until June 11 and we should be done with the painting by then so we can start the pen construction.
Maruska


From Todd:

Good Morning Maruszka,

We ran into some problems working on the barn last night. I started painting but had to stop for a couple of reasons. The old paint flaking off still has to be scraped because the power washing didn’t get everything and there’s still a lot of loose paint. We scraped until dark but there’s a lot of scraping to be done and we only scratched the surface. If we don’t do this right we’ll be back in the same situation next year.

The way I see it is we have two options:

If the barn is to be painted before fair it’ll need to be a huge effort on the part of every club and the fair board. It’ll require cooperation and scheduling of large groups working together possibly working shifts ...

The other option is to simply skip painting. I hate the idea of leaving the barn looking like it does but I’m just not sure we’ll get the kind of cooperation we’ll need to get it painted in time...

If we try to pull this off, I see it going something like this:

Scraping
(40) volunteers (minimum) for 8 to 10 hours
(10) 6ft ladders
(10) 8ft ladders
Scaffolding if anyone has some
(40) scrapers
Rakes and shovels for cleanup

Painting
(40) volunteers (minimum) for 10 to 12 hours
(10) 6ft ladders
(10) 8ft ladders
Scaffolding if anyone has some
(2) airless sprayers (rentals typically cost $120 for a weekend)
(20) paint brushes
(30) paint rollers
Rags

Do you think the fair board would be willing to supply the airless sprayers since its Lowell’s buildings we’re painting?

The North Kent 4Hers will be willing to help with the project, but we have only seven kids showing goats now ... This is a big project… do you think we’ll get the cooperation we need from all of the clubs? Please share your thoughts.

Thanks,

Todd

Goat Declaration Reminder

To all goat exhibitors:

A reminder that June 1 is the deadline for declarations. That is a Sunday but there is a drop box outside the fair office (225 S. Hudson, Lowell, MI) if no one is there. Declarations can also be dropped off anytime this week before the deadline. Mail in's postmarked May 30 or earlier are accepted.

Please mail to the address on the form.

No drop offs accepted on June 2 or later.

The form is available on the GDC website, http://goatdeclarationform.blogspot.com

and the Kent County Extension website http://www.portal.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.469876/workspace_id.27665/2008%20Goat%20%20Project%20%20Fair%20%20Declaration.pdf/

Anyone having trouble finding it can contact goat superintendent Maruszka Hufstader at m_v_huf@att.net and she will email the form to you.

Thanks,
Maruszka Hufstader

Goat Pen Update...

Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 09:09:58 -0400
From: Maruszka Hufstader
Subject: goat pen update #8


Painting -

The MacQueens and the Trapps from North Kent will be at the barn Wednesday evening to spray paint.

Volunteers are welcome especially if you have your own sprayer. Please reply to me at m_v_huf@att.net

If you can't come Wednesday but can come Thursday and use the fairgrounds sprayer that would work too but please let make know.

Thanks,
Maruszka

Friday, May 23 Update

1. Declaration Forms are due June 1 - please eMAIL Maruska if you are having any difficulties.

2. Our new GOAT PENS Project is still in progress, please let us know if you can help with the painting before we install the pens.

3. Check out the FOR SALE link.

Enjoy your summer!

Goat Declaration Forms - DUE DATE

Just a reminder that the due date for declaration form is June 1st.

New Goat Pens - UPDATE on progress 5.21.08

Hi all,

The paint and lumber will be arriving this week at the fairgrounds.

The fairgrounds has a paint sprayer we can use.

If there are any volunteers who can use a sprayer, please email me with a day and time that works well for you.

Naturally we'd like to keep this project moving so it would be nice if all the painting was done by the end of the month.

Please email me if you can help with this and I will coordinate a day or days for this. My email address is: m_v_huf@att.net

Thanks,
Maruszka

Can you help with the goat pen project?

Hi all,

Our work day was Saturday and no one came. Kristin and I were there from 9 to almost 11am. We scraped and swept the south wall and took care of any nails sticking out. I left a list with what could be done in case anyone came after we left but it looks like no one did. Next Saturday the 11th I will be in Chicago. A date to go through my mom's estate has been moved up.

Anyone that can come and help during the week evenings or on the 11th can work on the following -

- the north wall needs to be scraped, swept and any loose nails taken care of; Ladders can be arranged through Ron Wenger at the fair office

- the ceiling, especially on the west side, needs the loose paint flake brushed off; Brooms would probably work.

- the ground needs to be leveled with shovels like the northeast corner of the barn.

The pens should be coming this next week or the week after at the latest.

It was agreed by those who came on Thursday that we should paint the back walls that will be behind the pens and it is the ideal time now before they are installed.

Thanks,
Maruszka

We are making progress on the goat pens!

Hi all,

We had a tornado of volunteers last night, 18 in all, and a lot was accomplished.

So much so that tomorrow (Saturday, May 3) yes we will start at 9am but bring the following if you have them -

paint scrapers or stiff brushes,
paint brusher or rollers and trays,
shovels, and we could use a couple of people with hammers.

No need for crowbars or socket sets.

Also all the old wood has been hauled away so there will be none for bonfires.

Many thanks to the Boondockers and Todd MacQueen from North Kent for all their hard work.

See you tomorrow. If enough people come we should be done by noon.

Maruszka Hufstader

Showmanship Clinic 2008

The 2008 Showmanship Clinic has been confirmed for Saturday, July 27th @ the Fairgrounds.

Check out the link to the Showmanship Clinic for additional information and updates.

State 4-H Goat Show

EVENT = Saturday June 28th @ MSU Pavilion Show Barn in Lansing.

All registration forms are due to our county MSU Extension office by May 30th.

Call the extension office 616.336.3265 and ask Glenda for an information packet.

April GDC Meeting

We missed everyone who was not at the meeting!

Some of things reviewed were:

1. The Treasurers report - we should be all set for Fair this year
2. Goat Fun Day was a success and great suggestions for next year
3. Goat pen project - still need a few more volunteers
4. Walk-a-Thon with the Boondockers club this Saturday, April 12th
5. Spring showmanship clinic
6. Fair plans
7. New microchip reader - thank you Neil & Lisa Mills!
8. New Kent County Quiz Bowl Team
9. A regional goat show in 2009?

Be sure to check out the minutes when you get them in your eMAIL. If you have any questions please contact the secretary at lori_greenacres@yahoo.com

4-H Enrollment Participation Fee ?

Thank you for enrolling in 4-H and paying your 4-H enrollment participation fee - and in turn supporting your Goat Developmental Committee.

As most 4-H families know, a portion of the enrollment funding comes back to Kent County. In turn, your County Extension Office authorized the use of those funds to underwrite the full cost of Goat Fun Day. The total amount was $249.93.

THANK YOU! We had 57 people attending (45 were youth) - so this was a great use of the funds! Don't forget to check out the Goat Fun Day photos link.

Meeting Reminder...

The next GDC meeting is:

Tuesday, April 9th
@ 7pm
@ the Extension Office.

Club Leaders please plan to be at this meeting and encourage your 4-H families to be there as well. We would also like to see more older youth attend and give their input as we plan for our two remaining big events this year - the spring Showmanship Clinic and Fair.

See you Tuesday!

9 day to go before Goat Fun Day!

Please be sure to get your registration in so we have an accurate count for lunch.

Thank you Neil & Lisa Mills for the microchip reader!

Hi all,

I just wanted to send some wonderful news and a very big THANK YOU to Galaxy Signs and Awards of Lowell, owned by the Neil and Lisa Mills for their generous donation of a new microchip reader for the goat program.

Since about 1998 we have had to borrow a reader from the Kent County Animal Shelter in Grand Rapids for our goat check in for fair. We were never able to keep the reader for more than a day or two and state regulations require a reader be present anytime goats with chips are present on the fairgrounds, so now we will be in complete compliance not only for fair but for any other goat event held at the fairgrounds such as the showmanship clinic.

The reader will be in the custody of the Goat Developmental Committee. The manufacturers of the reader, AVID Corporation gave us a very generous discount on the reader as well.

Thanks again to Galaxy Signs and Awards and the Mills family,
Maruszka Hufstader

Thank you for the donation!

A very big THANK YOU to Aaron and Tammy White for donating the Meijer
gift cards totalling 50.00 for the second and third place finishers
in the junior and senior quiz bowls. First place finishers will be
getting trophys. Any potential trophy sponsors can contact me.
Thanks again Aaron and Tammy.

Maruszka Hufstader

__________

Other donations have also come in from:

Pete Kruer @ Rockford Ace Hardware
Sam Gebhardt @ Cedar springs Mill & Supply
The Blodgett Family of Twin Oaks Farms
Anonymous

THANK YOU!

There is still time to work on additional donations for door prizes, awards and the free lunch we provide. If you need the donations thank you letter and tax ID number please email lori_greenacres@yahoo.com or maruska Thanks again! Great job everyone!

Scrapie Information

With the recent publication of scrapie on a goat farm in Ottawa County, there is alot of information floating around. Please check out the link under 2008 Kent County for accurate information on Scrapie.

Thank you

Tear it Out!

YES - THAT's RIGHT! We are planning to tear out all the old goat pens at the Lowell Fair Grounds sometime in May!

The Goat Developmental Committee has received word that the grant request has been approved and we are planning to have new pens for the Fair THIS YEAR! The proposal included volunteers to do much of the tear out labor - so your help is needed.

We are putting together a GOAT PEN WORK GROUP eMAIL LIST - this is a list of anyone who is interested in volunteering to help with the project. If you think you are interested and want to receive the email announcements then please let us know.

Maruska Hufsteader is the goat superintendent and she is compiling this list - please email her at m_v_huf@att.net and request your eMAIL to be added to the GOAT PEN WORK GROUP eMAIL LIST.

Looking forward to a great year in the Goat Barn!

Kent County GDC Meeting is February 12th

Our next Goat Developmental Committee meeting is scheduled for February 12th at 7pm at the Kent County Extension Office.

Anyone intersted in goats is welcome. This month we will be finalizing our plans for the Goat Fun Day event scheduled for March 29th.

See you then!

District IV Alpine Specialy is June 14-15th in Ionia

Here is another copy & paste regarding a goat event coming up:


Just a quick note to let everyone know the District IV Alpine Specialty will be held at the Michigan Dairy Goat Society annual show June 14-15 in Ionia MI. The judge will be Sheila Nixon.

Linda Coon
MDGS Board Member

March 8 is MDGS Spring goat Day @ MSU

Here is a copy & paste of the posting regarding MDGS:

Remember to mark March 8 on your calendar for the MDGS Spring Goat Day held at Michigan State University. This is an all day
educational seminar about our favorite topic...goats. Featured speaker will be Ralph Zimmerman. There will be several sessions
offered all day. Potluck lunch, vendor space available ($15 fee)

We will have our annual Goat Products cooking contest for adults and youth, with cash prizes. There is also a soap contest.

Our annual Youth Writing Contest will be held in conjunction with Spring Goat Day also. Youth can submit their entries by mail, or
bring them that day. Prizes awarded.

Cost of the day is $5 per person or $15 per family.

For more information you can email me or contact Mike Metzger at metzgerm@msu. edu

Goat Internet Resources to print out (also availble by link on main page)

Quiz Bowl Questions for Goat Fun Day

The Quiz Bowl Questions for Goat Fun Day are now avaiable under the Goat Fun Day 2008 tab - check them out!

A recent suggestions was to try to read through at least 10 questions each evening before going to bed.... it's a little bit over time that makes up a lot!

Have fun!