To Goat or Not to Goat? That is the Question
Submitted by: Rene' McCracken, Cherokee County Extension Agent CEP-AgNR
Is there a goat in your life? It is that time of year again, when 4-H and FFA youth and their parents begin scouring the countryside looking for project animals. For several, the market goat project is the perfect combination of challenge, skill, and requirements of space, time and money that fit their needs. But, where do you go to get a good goat? It is not as easy and putting your money in a vending machine and waiting for a good one to drop in your lap. Due to the humid "jungle-like" climate we East Texans live in, several challenges to raising goats are multiplied. There have been several instances in which students from our area have purchased goats raised in West Texas only to lose them early on due to parasite overload.
Last year was the first time that a selection and care clinic was held in Cherokee County. The goal to provide youth and their parents with the tools and information they would need not only raise goats here but to connect them with local producers who could provide some of their experience that would get them in the winner's circle. Over 30 people attended the event last year and more are expected to be back for "seconds" this year. The 2nd Annual Cherokee County Market Goat Clinic for youth in FFA and 4-H interested in showing market wethers will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 beginning at 3 pm at the Cherokee County Show Barn on Loop 456 in Jacksonville,TX.
Clinic will focus on how to select your goat, feed and care for it and determine steps you need to take to get to the winner's circle in your county show. There is no charge for the clinic and all are welcome. Beginning at 3 pm we will meet, pass out guide books on showing goats as a project, then receive hands on demonstrations with goats. You do not need to bring your goat if you have already purchased one however, you may do so if you would like some one-on-one coaching or evaluation of the animal. This is primarily a selection clinic and their will be little information neither on “showmanship” skills nor with this be a jackpot show. Breeder, former ag-teacher and judge, Ernie Hare will be providing the "coaching" with extension agent and goat producer, Rene' McCracken providing information on feeding and nutrition as well as general goat health. There will be a showmanship clinic and jackpot show at the Show Star Series in Nacogdoches on October 23-24, 2010. Contact this office for more details on it.
In some cases, the hardest part about the market goat project is finding and buying the right goat. Hopefully, this clinic will allow you to connect with area goat producers and purchase animals that have been raised in this climate and under similar conditions that you will have them at later on in your backyard or at the school farm. All those producers who have wethers for sale are welcome to bring them, bring information about their farm or contact me and I will pass along to those youth still looking for goats.
The clinic should last just over and hour and will be followed at 5 pm by a Cherokee County 4-H playday and awards banquet. If you have not had the opportunity to get going with 4-H or join a club, don't miss this opportunity to meet with the clubs in the area and get starting with your 4-H experiences today! For more information on this clinic and other extension events, contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
4th Meeting Classic 4-H Club July 13, Rusk Civic Center Noon
Hello All!
It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
4th Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
July 13th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, July 13th at noon at The Rusk Civic Center it's located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Special Project this week: In honor of Western Week and the Tops n Texas Rodeo we are going to do a cowboy cookie exchange. Bring at least 2 doz of your favorite cowboy cookies (made or purchased). If you make them then bring the recipe for our cookbooks.
Meeting Speaker: Wendy Emprimo, "How to do a photography project for 4-H"
Also, if you are looking for some more Western Fun -- I will be at the Hazel Tilton Park in Jacksonville across from the fire station on Rusk/Main Street with cowboy games, dress like a rodeo clown contest, best buckle and hat contest and dog show! All free starting at 10 am (I'll be leaving at 11 for the 4-H meeting).
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
4th Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
July 13th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, July 13th at noon at The Rusk Civic Center it's located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Special Project this week: In honor of Western Week and the Tops n Texas Rodeo we are going to do a cowboy cookie exchange. Bring at least 2 doz of your favorite cowboy cookies (made or purchased). If you make them then bring the recipe for our cookbooks.
Meeting Speaker: Wendy Emprimo, "How to do a photography project for 4-H"
Also, if you are looking for some more Western Fun -- I will be at the Hazel Tilton Park in Jacksonville across from the fire station on Rusk/Main Street with cowboy games, dress like a rodeo clown contest, best buckle and hat contest and dog show! All free starting at 10 am (I'll be leaving at 11 for the 4-H meeting).
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Classic 4-H 2nd Meeting: Cooking with Kids, Officer Elections
It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
2nd Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 29th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 29th at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups, elect officers, and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Special Project this week: Cooking with Kids - everyone bring your favorite recipe that you can make or a great cookbook and we are going to make your very own cook books!
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Rene' McCracken
Prairie View A&M University
Cooperative Extension Agent
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Cherokee County, TX
903-683-5416
2nd Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 29th, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 29th at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups, elect officers, and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Special Project this week: Cooking with Kids - everyone bring your favorite recipe that you can make or a great cookbook and we are going to make your very own cook books!
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent - Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Rene' McCracken
Prairie View A&M University
Cooperative Extension Agent
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Cherokee County, TX
903-683-5416
Friday, June 18, 2010
First Meeting Classic 4-H Club 6-22 Noon at Rusk
It’s not too late to get involved in a great 4-H club this year!
First Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 22, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
What can you do in 4-H?
You can go where you want to go, visit new places, learn new stuff, do new things, make new friends, and even become a new you! Activities to come: Camping, Fishing Trip, Tour of local farms and ranches, Teen retreats and visits to college campuses, and so much more. Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 22nd at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent – Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
First Meeting/Classic 4-H Club :
June 22, 2010
12-1:00 pm~ Rusk Civic Center ~Rusk
Cost = FREE!
What can you do in 4-H?
You can go where you want to go, visit new places, learn new stuff, do new things, make new friends, and even become a new you! Activities to come: Camping, Fishing Trip, Tour of local farms and ranches, Teen retreats and visits to college campuses, and so much more. Open to youth ages 8 to 17 yrs or Clover Kid groups ages 5 to 7 yrs.
Please bring your lunch (drinks are provided) and join us Tuesday, June 22nd at noon for the kick-off meeting to finish sign ups and plan for the summer activities ahead! The Rusk Civic Center is located on 555 Euclid Street just off of hwy 69.
Need more info: contact Rene’ McCracken, Cooperative Extension Agent – Prairie View A&M University, At 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Classic 4-H Club Sign-Up NOW!
Classic 4-H Club Meeting This Summer!
Hello 4-H Members, Parents, and Friends:
Sign-up days are Tonight at the extension office, June 1, 2010 from 6 to 7 pm. Also during the AgriLife Fair at Extension Office, June 8, 2010 from 1-6 pm.
If you are looking for something great to do this summer, contact Rene' McCracken and get signed up, space is limited, members will be taken on a first come first serve basis. 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
These sign ups will be come and go - similar to sign-up's for baseball. Once I have gathered my "team" I will contact the parents and 4-H members for meeting times, places, and dates for our summer adventures. If you cannot make either of the sign-up times but would still like to be involved in the club - drop by the extension office in Rusk during work hours to complete the forms.
Hello 4-H Members, Parents, and Friends:
Sign-up days are Tonight at the extension office, June 1, 2010 from 6 to 7 pm. Also during the AgriLife Fair at Extension Office, June 8, 2010 from 1-6 pm.
If you are looking for something great to do this summer, contact Rene' McCracken and get signed up, space is limited, members will be taken on a first come first serve basis. 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
These sign ups will be come and go - similar to sign-up's for baseball. Once I have gathered my "team" I will contact the parents and 4-H members for meeting times, places, and dates for our summer adventures. If you cannot make either of the sign-up times but would still like to be involved in the club - drop by the extension office in Rusk during work hours to complete the forms.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Classic 4-H Club Meeting This Summer!
Hello 4-H Members, Parents, and Friends:
The Classic 4-H Club which previously met in New Summerfield is getting ready to get going this summer! Several activities have been planed with a focus on leadership, career preparedness and exploration. Some great tours are planned, like visit to Powell's Deer Farm and Mother Francis Hospital in Jacksonville. Depending on the preferences of youth participating - the sky is the limit for what careers or occupations we will explore.
Near the end of the summer we will have a day camp with several locations already pledged to host us for a day of fishing, camp fire cooking, games, survivor skills, and wild life identification.
If you are looking for something great to do this summer, contact Rene' McCracken and get signed up, space is limited, members will be taken on a first come first serve basis. 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
The Classic 4-H Club which previously met in New Summerfield is getting ready to get going this summer! Several activities have been planed with a focus on leadership, career preparedness and exploration. Some great tours are planned, like visit to Powell's Deer Farm and Mother Francis Hospital in Jacksonville. Depending on the preferences of youth participating - the sky is the limit for what careers or occupations we will explore.
Near the end of the summer we will have a day camp with several locations already pledged to host us for a day of fishing, camp fire cooking, games, survivor skills, and wild life identification.
If you are looking for something great to do this summer, contact Rene' McCracken and get signed up, space is limited, members will be taken on a first come first serve basis. 903-683-5416 or lrmccracken@ag.tamu.edu.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Goat Clip Clinic ~ March 20, 2010 Jacksonville
Goat Clip Clinic
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Beginning at 10:00 am
At: Cherokee County Showbarn, Jacksonville
Cost: $10 includes grooming, show registration, and meal for participant, group discounts available, practice your showmanship skills before the show with our judge who will coach you and provide the advantage to edge out your competition.
All Are Welcome To Attend! Great opportunity for goat judging teams to practice as well. Must RSVP at 903-683-5416.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Beginning at 10:00 am
At: Cherokee County Showbarn, Jacksonville
Cost: $10 includes grooming, show registration, and meal for participant, group discounts available, practice your showmanship skills before the show with our judge who will coach you and provide the advantage to edge out your competition.
All Are Welcome To Attend! Great opportunity for goat judging teams to practice as well. Must RSVP at 903-683-5416.
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