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What National Agriculture Week Means To Me JABGA Board Member, Alaina Blair, reflects on what National Agriculture Week means to her. By Alaina Blair JABGA Board Member Alaina Blair Agriculture has provided me with vast opportunities and has impacted my life in many great ways: from skills learned and values instilled in me to hard work and responsibility are a way of life. It teaches perseverance, to hold tight to my faith, and know the sun will rise again tomorrow. Agriculture is not only cultivating the land, producing crops, and raising livestock, but it’s being a caregiver. It’s setting roots that run deep with family, history, and community. One day I will become part of a legacy left on the land as the next generation is raised. Agriculture is vital for all, for it produces the necessities that maintain life. ABGA has helped me find my passion and fuels my drive for the Boer goat industry. It’s given me the opportunity to be involved in the industry I so deeply love. Hopefully, one day I will be able to have a livelihood in becoming a veterinarian that specializes in small ruminants and giving back to the industry that has given me so much. Therefore, celebrating National Agriculture Week makes me think of gratitude and harvest time. Gratitude for the backbone of our nation that provides our food and a way of life to be proud of! It’s the past, present, and a promise of the future. It gives me a reason to celebrate the industry I love and settles my soul. Here’s to a lifestyle worth celebrating! #JABGA #news

JABGA Board Elections: Ballots Due by May 1, 2025 Elections for JABGA Board of Directors are open! Vote by May 1, 2025 to shape the future of the JABGA! Elections for the JABGA Board of Directors are here! Here's your chance to help shape the future of JABGA! Don't forget to vote by May 1, 2025 . Scroll down to learn more about the awesome candidates in your area. Jump to ↓ Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 1 Jordan Jelinek I am currently surviving on the Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors, where I am proud to represent Area 1. I graduated high school in 2024, a year ahead of schedule to get a head start in the Boer Goat Industry. I live in Richland, Washington where I currently run a herd of over 130 Boer goats. My herd, JDJ Farms, includes fullbloods, percentages, and wether genetics. I have shown and sold animals all across the United States; additionally, they have exported animals to Hawaii and the Philippines. While juggling the goat herd, I also breed Australian Shepherds as well as serve as the 2024-2025 Washington FFA State Reporter. Between my farm and involvement in FFA, my schedule is filled with prepping my animals for shows and breeding while meeting FFA members across the state. My freshman year I was Washington State's first place Creed Speaker. So, there is no doubt I believe in the future of agriculture. Still unsure of my spot in the agriculture industry, I am interested in taking a deeper look at the process associated with becoming an embryologist after a year of service. While running my own floral shop, my team placed second in the nation at the 2024 FFA National Convention. I cannot be more thrilled to explore new parts of the industry and get involved with more youth and members of the organization. Kayla Whitman Hello for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kayla Whitman. My family and I own and operate Whitman Ranch Boer Goats located in Penn Valley Ca. I’m currently a Senior in high school. After high school I plan to go to college where I will further my education in the pharmaceutical industry for livestock. I have exhibited my livestock locally at my county fair all the way to the National level. A passion of mine has always been the Boer goat industry and helping young individuals achieve greatness. I have always loved working with the youth so that they can find their passion in industry just as I did. Over the years I have had a chance to work with some amazing people and see all the different tricks and tips that they use in their operation that I was then able to take back to my operation and then share my ideas with others just as I was able to. I want to spread the word about all the different opportunities this amazing organization has to offer to the youth and be able to make so many great memories. I also want to be a good source for people if they have any questions or concerns about anything they may have, whether that is about the breed itself, showmanship, or anything within the ABGA association. If you have any questions, please reach out. Symphony Rouse Hello! My name is Symphony Rouse and I am 18 years old. I am a senior at Foothill High school in Northern California. I have been a JABGA member for 9 years now, and am very passionate about the Boer Goat industry, as well as educating others about the industry. I own a small Boer Goat operation in Northern California with my sister, where our main focus is producing offspring that are in correlation with the breed standard. When I’m not with my goats I enjoy spending time outside. Recently I have started skiing and I also enjoy hiking with my sister. I am very excited to be running for my region's Board of Directors position, and I am looking forward to meeting many new and existing members in years to come! Area 2 Emma Rauschenberg Hey everyone, I'm Emma Rauschenberg from Dallas Center, Iowa, and I'm very excited to be running for the Area 2 seat on the Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors. My family's registered and commercial herd, 6R Boer Goats, has provided me with a rich immersion in the Boer goat industry. For the past ten years, I've enjoyed showing livestock, with the last five years dedicated specifically to Boer goats. Currently, I'm honored to serve as Treasurer for the Junior Iowa Meat Goat Association, where I've gained valuable practical experience and developed my leadership skills. As a sophomore at Kansas State University studying Animal Science with a focus in Production Management, I'm continuing to deepen my understanding of the industry. I'm truly passionate about the Boer goat breed and committed to supporting our agricultural community. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you all! Area 3 Avery Holman My name is Avery Holman, and I am from Kentucky. I am so excited to be running for the JABGA Board of Directors to represent Area 3! I've been showing goats for thirteen years now, and from age six I have always held a deep love for the Boer breed. Though most of my career has been spent in the market ring, at the end of 2021 I began showing breeding stock for the first time in a few years and immediately gave 100%. My first year back I served on the board for the 2022-2023 term where I was able to meet with leaders in our industry and discuss changes that would help JABGA grow and thrive. In addition to showing and raising goats, I also work for Leggett's YGB Livestock Camps. I am afforded amazing opportunities to travel across the country during the summer coaching showmanship. Currently I serve as our team's faith director. Recently I was featured in the industry leading magazine Stock Show Trendsetters where I was blessed to be able to share my journey with showing and give advice as an industry leader. If elected I aim to grow membership, promote inclusion in all facets of the Boer goat industry, and strive to promote our breed on a variety of platforms. Vote Avery for your Area 3 Representative! Tyler Stolipher Hello, I'm Tyler Stolipher. I am a 16 years old sophomore from Summit Point, WV. My family has been raising goats for 14 years and I have been showing since I've been 5 years old. I am also active and hold leadership roles in FFA, 4-H and Boy Scouts. I am excited for the opportunity be the Region 3 JABGA representative! I look forward to opportunities to work with ABGA directors to make our association better, and to work with the youth to help the become better showman and advocates for the boer goat industry. I would like to be a JABGA director because I would like to travel and meet new people, teach other people what I know and share my knowledge, and have an impact on younger members and their showing career. I show mostly in West Virginia, Virginia, and Marland and because of that I see the same people at every show. If I were to become a director, it would enable me to travel further to shows and therefore meet new people. My family has been raising goats for 14 years and I have been actively showing the past 5 years. During this time, I have learned a lot, picked up some tricks and really enhanced my showman abilities. I would like to help young and inexperienced kids by serving as a role model, giving them tips to help them improve in the ring. It makes it even better when they do better or even win because of your help. Lizzie Hefner Hi, I’m Lizzie Hefner, and I’m 17 years old from Lebanon, Indiana, where I live with my dad, Brian (who has probably stopped you at one point), and my younger sister, Addy. I’ve been showing Boer goats for six years and have been a member of the Indiana Boer Goat Association (IBGA) for five years. As an IBGA Ambassador, I love promoting the Boer goat industry and being involved in the community that has given me so much. I’m especially passionate about helping and serving the next generation of youth in the industry, sharing my knowledge and experiences to encourage their success. I’m also very active in leadership roles. I serve as the President of my 4-H club in Boone County, where I'm entering my ninth year as a member, and I’m the Lebanon FFA Chapter Reporter. Additionally, I’m a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and am involved in both student and class council at Lebanon High School. When I’m not working on my academics or extracurriculars, you can usually find me in the barn, where my passion for the livestock industry truly shines. Area 4 Brooke Arce Hi! My name is Brooke Arce, and I'm 16 years old. I'm currently a sophomore in high school and am homeschooled. In addition to being homeschooled, I'm also dual-enrolled at IRSC, where I can challenge myself academically and get a head start on my college education. Outside of school, I spend a lot of my time outdoors, and I have a deep passion for showing livestock, with Boer goats being my absolute favorite. I've been raising and showing Boer goats for 8 years, and I've been a member of JABGA for 6 of those years. Being a part of JABGA has given me the chance to connect with other young people who share the same interests and has helped me expand my knowledge in the livestock industry. It has also taught me countless life lessons that I carry with me every day. My mom and I run a small herd of Boer goats in Fellsmere, FL, where we carefully manage and care for our goats. Along with showing livestock, I also love spending time hunting and fishing with my family. I am incredibly passionate about agriculture, with the ultimate goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. I'm excited to continue learning and growing, both in my academic studies and extracurricular activities. I am committed to expanding my knowledge and skills, not only in the livestock industry but specifically within the Boer goat industry. Evangeline Street Hello, my name is Evangeline Street, and I am running for the JABGA Board to represent Area 4. I am 18 years old, and I am a second semester freshman in college. I am majoring in Nursing and intend to obtain my RN license. I graduated from high school a year early, obtaining my AICE Diploma and the Bright Futures Scholarship for Florida. I was highly active in 4-H for 12 years, and FFA for 5 years. Through the FFA, I was awarded with the State Degree and currently working on obtaining my National American Degree. My goal is to encourage and influence younger children to follow their passion within this industry and become more involved at shows and events. I intend to set up more educational seminars to help the youth and educate the younger generations, getting them more involved and interested in this industry. I hope you all will consider me for this position. Area 5 Rebecca Sullivan Hey y’all! I’m Rebecca Sullivan from Region 5, and I’m serving as the secretary for the Junior Board. Currently, I’m a freshman at Tarleton State University, where I’m pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering with the goal of becoming an Agricultural Engineer. I’ve been a proud member of the JABGA for the past six years, where my journey in showing livestock began in high school. Since then, I’ve worked hard to grow my herd and program. I’ve had the opportunity to showcase my animals at various regional shows, Texas majors, and even national shows. Looking forward to what’s ahead for the JABGA!

JABGA President Cecelia Knott's Showmanship Tip Check out this useful showmanship tip from JABGA Board President, Cecelia Knott. Practice! Practice! Practice! Set goals for yourself. Have someone video you practicing, so you can watch yourself and see how you may need to make some changes. Everyone shows a little differently but watching more experienced showmen is beneficial.

Applications Open for JABGA Board of Directors JABGA is now accepting JABGA Board of Directors nominations until March 1, 2024. The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) is now accepting applications for the JABGA Board of Directors . Applications completed by the nominee for the JABGA Board of Directors are due to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail on or before March 1, 2024. The JABGA Board of Directors works alongside the ABGA Board of Directors to represent JABGA members across five areas of the United States as the main governing body of the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) . JABGA Directors volunteer their personal time and effort in service of JABGA programs like the JABGA Regional Show Series and by promoting core JABGA values like scholarship, leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development. The JABGA Board of Directors also serves as youth ambassadors for the improvement and promotion of the Boer goat breed through the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. Board seats are open for the following JABGA Areas: Area 1 (Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming) Area 2 (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois) Area 3 (Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York) Area 4 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) Area 5 (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) In accordance with JABGA Bylaws, applicants must be JABGA members in good standing (renewed for 2024 by January 1, 2024) in order to run for or hold a seat on the JABGA Board of Directors. For more information, see the ABGA Bylaws and the JABGA Bylaws . Required: Application (completed) Contact Information page and Certificate of Application (completed) Digital photo Directors Responsibilities page (signed) Responsibility Release, Information Release, Photo Release, Authorization Form Conflict of Interest Statement (completed) Code of Conduct form (completed) Brief statement (less than 250 words) – “Why do you want to be a JABGA Director?” Optional: Applicants may submit a resume that highlights the following: Involvement in JABGA and/or the goat industry School activities 4-H & FFA activities Leadership activities Volunteer work/community service Eligibility Applicants for the JABGA Board of Directors must: Be 16 years of age or older on January 1, 2024 Reside in the JABGA Area for which the applicant is running/elected Have renewed their JABGA membership on or before January 1, 2024 Questions or Concerns? C ontact JABGA Youth Coordinator Hannah Jenkins at jabga@abga.org with any questions or concerns regarding JABGA Board of Directors nominations. Ready to Apply? Applicants should complete the JABGA Board of Directors application below and submit it to the ABGA office via electronic form or regular mail by March 1, 2024. ONLINE FORM: Apply now! DOWNLOAD PDF FORM: 2024 JABGA Director Packet .pdf Download PDF • 184KB About JABGA: The Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) supports ABGA in its mission to improve and promote the Boer breed and encourage the breeding, raising, and exhibition of American Boer Goats. JABGA fosters the personal growth of its youth membership through training in scholarship, leadership, good sportsmanship, and character development as individuals and in groups.

JABGA Member Casey Stevens Researches Goat Meat Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Check out her award winning research! An Unknown Staple of Meat | A Study of The Boer Goat Industry Casey Stevens’ goal is to change the meat goat industry. Her research “An Unknown Staple of Meat, A Study of The Meat Goat Industry” came in 4th in the Ag Sociology category at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. You can download and view her study here. Casey_Stevens_An_Unknown_Staple_of_Meat .pdf Download PDF • 962KB

Lillian Hisel !

2022 JABGA Face-to-Face: Day 3 The third and final day of our JABGA Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting in San Angelo, Texas is all wrapped up! The third and final day of our Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA) Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting in San Angelo, Texas is all wrapped up! JABGA directors kicked off the day with a tour of Denis Ranch Feedlot, in Vancourt; a small ruminant feed mill and custom feeder established in 1973. They house over 15,000 sheep and goats owned by independent producers. John Duke Hudson, a commercial meat goat broker and feeder, spoke about the feed mixes the mill produces and the efficiencies in health and growth they are trying to capitalize on. From there, the group traveled to the Rocking Chair Ranch owned by Loyd Whitehead. Ranch managers, Randy Wood, and Philip Vinson, along with Whitehead, guided the directors as they worked through pens of 5/8 3/8 Spanish Boer Cross goats. Discussions focused on crossbred versus purebred stock, management considerations, and Boer goat breed characteristics. The group also toured the sale ring space and spent time conversing about the challenges and opportunities facing the Boer breed, as well as the industry at large. JABGA extends its thanks to the generous people of the Rocking Chair Ranch and Denis Ranch for their hospitality and willingness to share their experiences and wealth of knowledge in animal agriculture. Directors resumed their business meeting at the American Boer Goat Association offices in the afternoon and capped off the trip with a hibachi dinner. #JABGA #news

Get Ready for the JABGA Facebook Live - April 16! Don’t miss JABGA’s Facebook Live on April 16 at 6 PM CT! Get the latest updates on JABGA news, Junior Ambassador Program, Fire & Ice Sale, Area 2 & 3 Regionals, and more with JABGA leaders and special guests. Exciting things are happening at JABGA! Join us LIVE on the JABGA Facebook page this Wednesday, April 16 at 6 PM Central for an exclusive livestream event you won’t want to miss. JABGA President Maddie Reis and Vice President Logan Hollen will be sharing all the latest updates, including: JABGA News and Announcements Junior Ambassador Program details Fire & Ice Sale highlights Area 2 (Iowa) & Area 3 (Indiana) Regional Show previews They’ll be joined by Executive Director Caleb Boardman , Director of Community Engagement Catherine Riley , and Junior Coordinator Jaelynn Reyes to dive deeper into everything happening this season. Whether you're planning to attend the regionals, interested in the Ambassador program, or just want the inside scoop, this livestream is for you! 📅 Mark your calendar and tune in — we can’t wait to see you there! 👍🏻 Follow JABGA on Facebook!

Congratulations JABGA Member Jiles Coble Congratulations to JABGA Board Member Jiles Coble who was selected to the 2021 Georgia National Livestock Ambassador team! Congratulations to Jiles Coble who was selected to the 2021 Georgia National Livestock Ambassador team!

2022 JABGA Face-to-Face: Day 2 Day two of our Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting is in the books! Day two of our Junior American Boer Goat Association Board of Directors Face-to-Face meeting is in the books! Our JABGA board members started the day at The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in San Angelo. The group toured the laboratories and research pens. They were also introduced to the center’s research, which spans several breeds of sheep and goats, feeding programs, fiber sources, crops, and technology-led parasite identification. We owe a special thank you to Sheep and Goat Program Specialist Jake Thorne and Dr. John Walker at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center. Our JABGA board enjoyed hearing their knowledge. We also owe a special thank you to Robert Cope, Senior Instructor/Research Associate in the Department of Agriculture at Angelo State University (ASU), for his wisdom and time during the tour of the laboratory. The group then traveled to the ASU Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Product Development Laboratory, where JABGA members got to see the product of the Boer goat breed – the meat! This further developed the knowledge JABGA members learned at the 2022 National Show Carcass Evaluation Class. After lunch, board members sat down for their official business meeting at the ABGA office. ABGA Board Vice President Kathy Daves-Carr attended virtually. JABGA board members ended the day enjoying a Texas country music concert on the banks of the Concho River in downtown San Angelo. Courtesy of: Avery Holman Up Next: Tours of Denis Feedlot and Rocking Chair Ranch! #JABGA #news

2023-2024 Elected JABGA Board of Directors Congratulations to the newly elected JABGA Board of Directors. We look forward to seeing the positive impact you will have on the JABGA! Congratulations to the newly elected 2023-2024 JABGA Board of Directors! Jordan Jelinek (Area 1) Kate Schaefer (Area 2) Amber Schroeder (Area 3) Alaina Blair (Area 4) Rebecca Sullivan (Area 5) This is a momentous occasion and an exciting new chapter for the Junior American Boer Goat Association. We look forward to seeing the positive impact you will have on the future of the JABGA program. Best wishes for a successful term ahead! #JABGA #news

JABGA Member, Baylee Lamb, Recognized by the state of Oklahoma JABGA Bred & Owned Percentage Doe Grand Champion's hard work and dedication pays off! Baylee Lamb , the 2024 JABGA Nationals Bred & Owned Percentage Doe Grand Champion exhibitor, received an invitation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to the State Capitol in recognition of her achievements at the 2024 JABGA National Show. During her visit, she had the opportunity to meet Governor Kevin Stitt, members of the Oklahoma State Legislature, explore the Capitol, and tour the Governor's Mansion. Lamb was among 48 Junior National Champions representing various breed associations. The exhibitors were recognized on Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's social media pages. Congratulations, Baylee, on all your accomplishments, and here's to many more in the future!