Dairy Goat Project

The dairy industry is one of the foundations of United States agriculture. Most think of only dairy cattle when they think of animals that produce dairy products. Think again! Goat’s milk is a popular dairy commodity. Dairy goats produce products such as soaps, lotions, cheese and milk. The 4-H goat project can provide you with the opportunity to learn about selection, management, health, marketing and careers in the goat industry.

Countywide Project Coordinator

Ginger Knapp tobinandginger@live.com

Cost

Depends on individual choices

Meetings

Welcome Goat Members! It’s the start of the 2024-2025 season! Important dates are as follows: (Please put these on your calendars!)

Members are expected to attend 50% of the project meetings. There is a total of 4 scheduled meetings.

Meeting 1- Educational

  • Date:  Wednesday March 12
  • Time: 630-730pm
  • Location:  Fairgrounds Pavilion Room 112

Meeting 2- Educational

  • Date:  Saturday April 19
  • Time: Time:  0900-1000 AM
  • Location:  Fairground’s Pavilion Room 112

Meeting 3- Practice with goat.  Organize fair activities.  Sign up barn duty.  Turn in required paperwork.

  • Date:  May 15
  • Time:  630-730 pm
  • Location:  Fairgrounds Livestock show ring

Meeting 4- Practice with goat.  Organize fair activities.  Sign up barn duty.  Turn in required paperwork.

  • Date: May 28
  • Time:  630-730 pm
  • Location:  Fairgrounds Livestock Show Ring

County Fair Important Dates

  • Saturday July 19rd at 9am – Pen set-up for fair
  • Tuesday July 22- load in goats before  2:00 pm
  • Wednesday July 23th 7:00 AM– Showmanship and breed show
  • Saturday July 26th 1:00 pm- Fun Show in the goat tent
  • July 27th following animal release – Pen take-down (we must have them down right after the end of fair – another event moves in right after)

Expectations for the Washington County Goat Project Members

  1. Attend 50% of meetings.                                                                                                                                                                                             
  2. Attend/help set up and take down of pens.
  3. Scrapie information and registration papers must be turned in by the fair registration deadline. The provided form, from the State Vet, must be filled out completely for any animal you are bringing to the fair. The scrapie ID should start with WI followed by a 4-digit number. Premise ID’s must accompany this information. This is a requirement from the fairgrounds.  If you have any questions on this, please contact your project leaders ASAP.
  4. All members showing animals at fair will be responsible regularly checking on their goat to ensure they have adequate food and water throughout the day. 
  5. All members showing animals must sign up for barn duty. Shifts will be 2 hours in length, and we would like 1-2 members plus an adult in each barn. You will be responsible for making sure the animals are being treated properly by fairgoers, keep garbage cleaned up on the floor of the tents and answer questions to the best of your abilities. You may also like to have a goat out for people to pet!

The Washington County 4 H Goat Project Facebook private group is a good source of information as well. Please consider joining that group.

We are excited to get the year going and can’t wait to see everyone! See you soon!

Ginger Knapp, County Goat Project Leader

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