A bittersweet weekend as we closed a chapter in our lives. On Sunday we participated in our last goat show: The ADGA show at the Big E. It was pretty incredible to see how much our breeding program has contributed to goats in New England as we saw goats from our lines performing very well in the ring with a wide range of owners and herds. If/When Abby ever decides to pick up where she left off, I have no doubt she will be able to find several of her original bloodlines out there.
Samantha finished her 4-H goat experience on Saturday on a high note as well. Her doe Cedars of Lebanon Dollymadison was Reserve Senior Oberhasli and her doe Owl-Ridge A Fionn's Ciara was high producing Oberhasli. Samantha placed well enough in fitting and showmanship classes, but it was very clear to us, her parents, that her heart is not in it and that we have made the right decision in selling the herd.
Sam and I both truly enjoyed working with the youth this weekend and will still continue being involved in the 4-H goat program as 4-H leaders and committee members. The six kids from our club that attended the big E this weekend (both for goats and sheep) worked hard, performed well, had fun, and demonstrated all the good that 4-H has to teach about life, hard work, and achieving goals.
We will miss being involved with the goat world, but the friendships we have made in the last 15 years are ones we treasure and certainly are based on more than just goats. Good, hard working people who will reach out and give you a hand up when you need it. Thank you for being an incredible blessing to our family!
Showing posts with label Big E. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big E. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2015
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Fall 2014
It's my favorite time of year! The weather is cooler, the humidity is lower, and the air is clearer. And we are super busy, just the way I like it! My birthday this month adds to the fun too!
I love the colors of fall. The leaves, and the flowers in my garden have these amazing hues that just sparkle in the early morning or late afternoon sunlight. The sky gets this amazing color of blue and even at night the stars seem brighter against the crisp darkness.
Our 4-H club gets started up again, after a summer break. We had our introductory meeting the other night and had 10 new kids come and check us out! The group had some great ideas for events, activities, and community service projects. I am so excited to get started with this great group of kids and adults!
The Big E is happening! We bring some of our dairy goats (and some friends' dairy goats, this year) up to the Big E. The goats get petted and pampered for a few weeks while they are used daily to demonstrate milking a goat to the public.
The last weekend of the Big E is the 4-H goat, sheep and dog shows. Sam is once again a chaperon and gets to sleep and eat in the dorms with the boys, while I hang out in the barn and camper. Samantha is the only one from our club to be officially eligible to participate, but next year we have about seven kids who will be able to attend!
Every weekend from now to the middle of October, we will be bringing the animals (chickens, goats, and calf) to the local garden center (Burnett's Country Gardens) for the public to experience and learn about small farm living. I'll also be setting up a booth with my dresses and skirts for sale (Etsy Shop). Abby and Hannah will be doing a face painting booth to raise some money for their college expenses.
Farm life doesn't slow down much this time of year. It's breeding season so we'll be watching for heat cycles and getting our does bred for February and March kiddings. Since we also offer our buck for stud services, we'll be busy arranging boarding and breeding for others. The calf will head to the slaughterhouse in mid-October, and apple, squash, and pumpkin picking will mean lots of canning and freezing. The girls and I are helping Sam to get enough firewood split and stacked for the wood stove in the house, and the evaporator in the sugar shack. Sam is also researching a way to store extra water for the animals, should winter storms knock our power out.
Hannah has a new job that requires some driving, and so she'll be getting her license in the next few months! Abby is moving forward with her wedding plans. Nathalie is back at Bob Jones University to complete her associate's degree in Culinary Arts. Rachel is helping with sewing projects and has taken on a sewing student, while Samantha has more responsibilities in the barn with the goats. My sewing business is taking off and keeps me busy in the sewing room at least two days per week.
Soon enough the snow will start to fall and we will be hunkered in for the winter months. But no worries, the planning of the Christmas Eve Brunch will occupy our time!
I love the colors of fall. The leaves, and the flowers in my garden have these amazing hues that just sparkle in the early morning or late afternoon sunlight. The sky gets this amazing color of blue and even at night the stars seem brighter against the crisp darkness.
Our 4-H club gets started up again, after a summer break. We had our introductory meeting the other night and had 10 new kids come and check us out! The group had some great ideas for events, activities, and community service projects. I am so excited to get started with this great group of kids and adults!
The Big E is happening! We bring some of our dairy goats (and some friends' dairy goats, this year) up to the Big E. The goats get petted and pampered for a few weeks while they are used daily to demonstrate milking a goat to the public.
The last weekend of the Big E is the 4-H goat, sheep and dog shows. Sam is once again a chaperon and gets to sleep and eat in the dorms with the boys, while I hang out in the barn and camper. Samantha is the only one from our club to be officially eligible to participate, but next year we have about seven kids who will be able to attend!
Every weekend from now to the middle of October, we will be bringing the animals (chickens, goats, and calf) to the local garden center (Burnett's Country Gardens) for the public to experience and learn about small farm living. I'll also be setting up a booth with my dresses and skirts for sale (Etsy Shop). Abby and Hannah will be doing a face painting booth to raise some money for their college expenses.
Farm life doesn't slow down much this time of year. It's breeding season so we'll be watching for heat cycles and getting our does bred for February and March kiddings. Since we also offer our buck for stud services, we'll be busy arranging boarding and breeding for others. The calf will head to the slaughterhouse in mid-October, and apple, squash, and pumpkin picking will mean lots of canning and freezing. The girls and I are helping Sam to get enough firewood split and stacked for the wood stove in the house, and the evaporator in the sugar shack. Sam is also researching a way to store extra water for the animals, should winter storms knock our power out.
Hannah has a new job that requires some driving, and so she'll be getting her license in the next few months! Abby is moving forward with her wedding plans. Nathalie is back at Bob Jones University to complete her associate's degree in Culinary Arts. Rachel is helping with sewing projects and has taken on a sewing student, while Samantha has more responsibilities in the barn with the goats. My sewing business is taking off and keeps me busy in the sewing room at least two days per week.
Soon enough the snow will start to fall and we will be hunkered in for the winter months. But no worries, the planning of the Christmas Eve Brunch will occupy our time!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Picture Catch-up!
The battery on my camera died and I seem to have misplaced the charger. Without the battery the pictures couldn't be downloaded. So I finally broke down and bought a new battery tonight:
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| Samantha picking apples |
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| Hannah |
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| Nathalie |
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| Sam lifting Samantha up to get the apples at the top. |
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| Abby trying to hide from the camera |
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| The apple picking crew! 47 pounds!! |
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| My surprise birthday party |
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| Abby's decorated tack pen |
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| Hannah's decorated tack pen |
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| Abby in showmanship |
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| Abby and Judge Joe Pilotte converse. |
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| Tim Tefft. Need I say more?? |
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| Abby and Raclette |
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| Jenny B. and Octavia in Showmanship |
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| Hannah and Venezuela in Showmanship |
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| Nan L. and Samantha R. |
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| Abby and Judge Pilotte discuss the score card |
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| Hannah won fifth place in fitting. |
Monday, October 4, 2010
Whirlwind Week
Samantha with Dolly Madison; Me with Betty Ford
Samantha and Dolly Madison
Samantha in second place with Dolly Madison
Samantha with Dolly Madison in Best of Breed
Samantha and Dolly
Hannah with Venezuela
Abby showing a Nubian
Abby and Moeeka
Abby with Kroquet, me with Octavia, Wes Brown with Orchid
Abby with Fluorine
Abby and Dunkin Doenuts
Abby with Abigail Adams, Kim Buddington with LadybirdI had an amazing trip to the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. I couldn't pack my camera, so I have no pictures from the trip. It was a very interesting trip and while not much of what I saw can translate into goats, it did give me an opportunity to see large scale dairy farming in action.
After we landed in Hartford on Thursday, Sam picked me up and we headed home to load animals and children to head up to the Big E.
Hannah and Abigail were showing goats and Nathalie was showing her dog. All of them did very well in their in showmanship classes. Nathalie's Pippi did very well and was able to behave for most of the show. Pippi also flew through the agility course and Nat is excited to work with her in earnest for next year's agility competition.
Abby did well in her competitions but was having an off-day and didn't place in either of her competitions. She did learn that if she skips meals she doesn't feel well and it effects her ability to perform well.
Hannah placed second in her showmanship class and third in her fitting class. Her doe took Alpine Reserve Grand Champion.
Sunday was the ADGA open show. We were thrilled that with some strong competition our does still placed in the upper third of the classes for the most part. The judge's comments about the strengths of our goats showed that all of our does are demonstrating improvements over their dams. We are excited for the new kids we are expecting in February and definitely looking forward to the ADGA Nationals next July.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The BIG E 2009
We have arrived home, all in one piece! It was a fantastic weekend at the Big E this year. All of our 4-Hers showed extremely well in both showmanship and fitting! The Great Goats 4H club definitely made a statement about how to do it right!
Abby placed in the front line in both fitting and showmanship and her goats all did well in the breed classes. Abby worked very hard to win the herdsmanship award but due to a miscommunication she was inadvertently also judged on the condition of our pens and not just on her own. We gifted her with an International Harvester fleece blanket. She was very happy.
Nathalie did well in her dog showmanship/fitting class, placing in the second place line-up. Turk was very stressed and did not do well in the obedience class. Nathalie was disappointed and frustrated but received several compliments on her ability to muster through it with a good attitude. We are still looking for a dog for her to compete with next year as this was Turk's last journey away from the barn. Nathalie learned a lot this weekend and we gifted her with a fleece blanket as well.
The Open ADGA goat show was held on Sunday and was a lot of fun! Oberhasli's were the feature breed so there was a lot of competition and we were able to show first. My doe Heaven's Hollow Lucille placed second in her class and was best udder in her class. In the same class, Abby's doe Owl Ridge Nite Lite placed third, and her doe 4M-Gateway Moeeka placed fifth, with my doe West View Okra placing sixth. Haycreeks Showtime Kroquet placed first in her class of yearling milkers, but she was also the only one in her class. These placings meant that the Smith family had TWO goats in the Best of Breed Class!!!
Our junior does didn't place as well with all of them placing 8th or lower. Junior kids are still growing and change from week to week. It took Lucille four years to finally look good!
We got home from the fair (with a new Alpine for Hannah. A four year old milker who has already completed three of her legs towards a championship!) around 10PM and finally fell into bed at about 11PM. One more fair left til next summer!
Abby placed in the front line in both fitting and showmanship and her goats all did well in the breed classes. Abby worked very hard to win the herdsmanship award but due to a miscommunication she was inadvertently also judged on the condition of our pens and not just on her own. We gifted her with an International Harvester fleece blanket. She was very happy.
Nathalie did well in her dog showmanship/fitting class, placing in the second place line-up. Turk was very stressed and did not do well in the obedience class. Nathalie was disappointed and frustrated but received several compliments on her ability to muster through it with a good attitude. We are still looking for a dog for her to compete with next year as this was Turk's last journey away from the barn. Nathalie learned a lot this weekend and we gifted her with a fleece blanket as well.
The Open ADGA goat show was held on Sunday and was a lot of fun! Oberhasli's were the feature breed so there was a lot of competition and we were able to show first. My doe Heaven's Hollow Lucille placed second in her class and was best udder in her class. In the same class, Abby's doe Owl Ridge Nite Lite placed third, and her doe 4M-Gateway Moeeka placed fifth, with my doe West View Okra placing sixth. Haycreeks Showtime Kroquet placed first in her class of yearling milkers, but she was also the only one in her class. These placings meant that the Smith family had TWO goats in the Best of Breed Class!!!
Our junior does didn't place as well with all of them placing 8th or lower. Junior kids are still growing and change from week to week. It took Lucille four years to finally look good!
We got home from the fair (with a new Alpine for Hannah. A four year old milker who has already completed three of her legs towards a championship!) around 10PM and finally fell into bed at about 11PM. One more fair left til next summer!
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Big E
We surivived the Big E.
It rained. A lot. Of course the barn and the 4H dorms were on the two most opposite points of the fairgrounds. It took a full 10 minutes to walk between them, and that was when walking at a fast clip.
I think Abby, Matt, Lara, Jason, Josiah, and Jeremiah had fun. It was great to have so many kids from our club there. They all did really well in all their classes.
Due to a situation involving Rhode Island 4H'ers, Sam and I have volunteered to sit on the Connecticut Big E committee. (Like I don't have enough to do!) A Rhode Island 4H'er was not permitted to show her animal in a showmanship or a fitting class because there was an error on her paperwork. An error that A)in any other show would not have even been discovered and B)was not significant enough to effect anything at all. The rule book for the show stated that the Big E committee had the right to amend and change any rules. Four members of the Big E committee (two from Maine and two from New Hampshire) refused to call a meeting when it was requested. They had Connecticut and Rhode Island outnumbered since CT only had two members present and no one from RI or MA was present.
Unfortunately, because I spoke up and had actual real arguments, with documentation, I made some people angry. Sadly, these people were so immature they took it out on Abby. It is a shame that adults who are in charge of activities for children have forgotten that it is about the kids, and not about their power trip.
I made a suggestion that perhaps next year we could have something fun, like an obstacle course. I was told that this was a "serious competition and the kids needed to be focused on showing." I think the "powers that be" have lost their focus.
So, now Sam and I are on the Goat Day committee and have put our lot into being on the Big E committee (we have to be nominated). I have also decided that we will have a CT 4H goat show, maybe not in 2009, but certainly for 2010. And perhaps we will make it a Southern New England 4H thing and invite RI too. I also spoke with another 4H leader who is interested in working together with me to organize a "team" of 4H'ers to attend the ADGA National show in 2010. We both agreed that if you can't fix the system, you make a new one. And boy did this weekend show me that the existing system is really broken!
It rained. A lot. Of course the barn and the 4H dorms were on the two most opposite points of the fairgrounds. It took a full 10 minutes to walk between them, and that was when walking at a fast clip.
I think Abby, Matt, Lara, Jason, Josiah, and Jeremiah had fun. It was great to have so many kids from our club there. They all did really well in all their classes.
Due to a situation involving Rhode Island 4H'ers, Sam and I have volunteered to sit on the Connecticut Big E committee. (Like I don't have enough to do!) A Rhode Island 4H'er was not permitted to show her animal in a showmanship or a fitting class because there was an error on her paperwork. An error that A)in any other show would not have even been discovered and B)was not significant enough to effect anything at all. The rule book for the show stated that the Big E committee had the right to amend and change any rules. Four members of the Big E committee (two from Maine and two from New Hampshire) refused to call a meeting when it was requested. They had Connecticut and Rhode Island outnumbered since CT only had two members present and no one from RI or MA was present.
Unfortunately, because I spoke up and had actual real arguments, with documentation, I made some people angry. Sadly, these people were so immature they took it out on Abby. It is a shame that adults who are in charge of activities for children have forgotten that it is about the kids, and not about their power trip.
I made a suggestion that perhaps next year we could have something fun, like an obstacle course. I was told that this was a "serious competition and the kids needed to be focused on showing." I think the "powers that be" have lost their focus.
So, now Sam and I are on the Goat Day committee and have put our lot into being on the Big E committee (we have to be nominated). I have also decided that we will have a CT 4H goat show, maybe not in 2009, but certainly for 2010. And perhaps we will make it a Southern New England 4H thing and invite RI too. I also spoke with another 4H leader who is interested in working together with me to organize a "team" of 4H'ers to attend the ADGA National show in 2010. We both agreed that if you can't fix the system, you make a new one. And boy did this weekend show me that the existing system is really broken!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Our Zoo
This week ahead is looking to be incredibly zoo-like!
Let's see. Today is the bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. Then we are picking Nathalie up from her weekend with my mom and dad. Abby has her Teen Fellowship meeting and I think Nathalie has drama practice.
On Monday I have to spin out my frames of honey since they are just deposited on my kitchen table. This makes meals interesting to say the least.
Tuesday is my birthday. We will be cleaning house since we have guests visiting from Oregon, Wednesday thru Saturday. A lovely christian homeschooling family, whose daughter is looking at attending the Coast Guard Academy. They will be staying in our house while we are away at the Big E. I love meeting new people from various places and opening our home to help a fellow homeschooler is a great way to do that!
Wednesday we will be packing for everyone to go to their various places. Abby and Sam for the dorm at Big E; Nathalie to Samantha for the Rodger's home. I will owe Phylis big time after this weekend!
Thursday is the first day at the Big E for us. I actually have no official capacity there this weekend, unlike Sam and Abby. So, it should be quite relaxing for me.
With fair season over for us, we are drying off the milking does early. We have three goats for sale right now, but two of them currently have Orf so we can't send them to auction like we wanted. As soon as they are healthy, if we've had no one interested in them, they will be shipped to auction. We just can't afford to keep every animal.
Let's see. Today is the bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. Then we are picking Nathalie up from her weekend with my mom and dad. Abby has her Teen Fellowship meeting and I think Nathalie has drama practice.
On Monday I have to spin out my frames of honey since they are just deposited on my kitchen table. This makes meals interesting to say the least.
Tuesday is my birthday. We will be cleaning house since we have guests visiting from Oregon, Wednesday thru Saturday. A lovely christian homeschooling family, whose daughter is looking at attending the Coast Guard Academy. They will be staying in our house while we are away at the Big E. I love meeting new people from various places and opening our home to help a fellow homeschooler is a great way to do that!
Wednesday we will be packing for everyone to go to their various places. Abby and Sam for the dorm at Big E; Nathalie to Samantha for the Rodger's home. I will owe Phylis big time after this weekend!
Thursday is the first day at the Big E for us. I actually have no official capacity there this weekend, unlike Sam and Abby. So, it should be quite relaxing for me.
With fair season over for us, we are drying off the milking does early. We have three goats for sale right now, but two of them currently have Orf so we can't send them to auction like we wanted. As soon as they are healthy, if we've had no one interested in them, they will be shipped to auction. We just can't afford to keep every animal.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Best Laid Plans
The vet came out yesterday to assess our situation with the goats. She determined that they will not be healthy in time for them to go to the Big E. Thankfully, Abby will still be able to go as a Connecticut delegate. She will be the "offical" 4H helper. She also will be able to show goats in the breed classes for other 4H-ers.
This illness in our goats also means that our fair season is over for this year. I must admit I am relieved, as the Portland fair was the same weekend as my brother's wedding. It would have been a whirlwind weekend and those never go as smoothly as I would like.
We now will work on getting the animals healthy, washing down the barns and fences, and beginning our breeding program. We are planning on spreading our breedings out a bit this fall so that I am not spending 3 weeks solid in the cold barn! We are shooting for kiddings in early March, mid April, and late May. But you know what they say about the "best laid plans..."
This illness in our goats also means that our fair season is over for this year. I must admit I am relieved, as the Portland fair was the same weekend as my brother's wedding. It would have been a whirlwind weekend and those never go as smoothly as I would like.
We now will work on getting the animals healthy, washing down the barns and fences, and beginning our breeding program. We are planning on spreading our breedings out a bit this fall so that I am not spending 3 weeks solid in the cold barn! We are shooting for kiddings in early March, mid April, and late May. But you know what they say about the "best laid plans..."
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