| Home of For Our Kids Pygmy Goats |
| Welcome To Lil' of Everything Acres Located in Northeastern California |
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| Link to Official NPGA Website |
| For Our Kids Pygmy Goats began in 2002 with the purchase of our first mini goat. I was driving by a place that had way to many goats and I decided to stop in and see if they would sell me a mini goat for my 1 year old daughter. The lady was happy to sell me a pygmy-nigerian cross doe with her wether brother as a pair. Though my daughter liked to pet them, she wasn't all that impressed. Having raised everything from rabbits to cattle I had a natural desire to learn more. So I jumped right in researching pygmy goat breeders and finally purchasing our first does and a buck from a breeder in Southern California who met me in Sacramento (half-way) for the exchange. One of the does was due to kid a few months later, and with the arrival of the new little ones there was no turning back! There is nothing cuter than a new born pygmy goat jumping around, up and down, on top of their mothers and anything else they can get on. The addiction began..... Our family became members of the National Pygmy Goat Association in February 2003, and with an 18 month old daughter and one on the way we chose "For Our Kids" as our herd name. We attended our first show "The Roseville Rumble" where we met the nicest people. Everyone was very willing to help and provided information on how things worked at pygmy goat shows. I have never been in a show atmosphere quite like this before. My experience in show arenas whether rabbits, horses, dogs, or cattle had been "every man for himself." This was not the case with pygmy goats, and that only fed the addiction. We have made some great friends attending these shows and look forward to the show season to begin every year. Having researched pygmy goat breeders I was very excited to meet Linda Henwood from Whirlwind Farms who happened to be checking in her goats right before me. Elaine Ferrell Krieg from Flying Turtle's who chaired the show was very welcoming and I remember her taking extra time to correct my entry, having made a few errors on my first entry form. While cruising the barn I met Tammi Josephson from Pygmy Goats By T.J. who made herself available for anything anytime! I can't forget to mention Ray and Larna Hoyt from Silex Farms West who graciously provided me with little leads for my triplet wethers in the first class of the day. (Who knew you had to have them on a lead?), and Jason Overman DVM from Simple Necessities who was the judge. It was Jason Overman DVM who unknowingly inspired me to become a judge. From that first show I attended in 2003 where I left the ring time after time wondering "What is wrong with my goats?" I vowed then and there to learn what it takes to place in the ring. After questioning Jason about my goats and talking with several exhibitors I learned that there is a "Breed Standard" which my goats did not meet enough to place. What better way to learn the breed standard then to attend the NPGA Judges Training and Exam held every year at the National Pygmy Goat Association Convention. I attended my first exam in Hagerstown, MD in 2005, second in Morris, IL in 2006, third in Auburn, CA in 2007, and finally I achieved my judges license in Perry, GA in 2008. That does seem like a lot of exams, but I can tell you that every one of them was a huge opportunity for me to gain invaluable experience and knowledge along the way. Oddly enough the person responsible for me wanting a judges license is the same person who awarded it to me 5 years later! Thanks Jason.... Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you at shows across the country!!!! |
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| NPGA Judge J.T. Struthers PO Box 261 Standish, CA 96128 (530) 254-6591 Home (530) 310-4001 Cell |