4–H and FFA goat exhibitors from across the state of Louisiana took part in the second 4-H Goat Educational Trip August 3-8, 2008, to the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Last year the trip ventured to the hill country of Texas. The exhibitors earned the right to attend this trip by participating in the 2008 LSU Spring Livestock Show and placing with their goat, in showmanship or the premier exhibitor contest.
The trip is designed to educate the youth on the goat industry as a whole and not just through the show ring. The trip also lets the youth explore some other aspects of different parts of the country. The youth are introduced to different goat farms and operations and hopefully gain some knowledge that they will bring back and apply to their projects.
This year the exhibitors explored all corners of our neighboring state of Mississippi and the boot of Louisiana. The trip began on August 3, with the first stop in Tylertown, MS at the Ryal’s goat farm. The youth observed the Ryal’s meat goat herd and viewed an automated dairy in action. They were also able to sample some goat milk. The tour then went to a meat goat breeding operation in Soso, MS., owned by Pete Ward.
On August 4, they visited two herds in Winona, MS and Kilmichael, MS, belonging to Wade Henson and Kipp Brown where they saw 4-H show goat projects. Traveling to Starkville, MS, they were given a tour of Mississippi State University’s Veterinary School, Agriculture Department and campus.
The youth were in the Tupelo, MS area on August 5, and toured Jessie Cornelius’ farm that was breeding meat and show goats. That afternoon the youth saw exotic animals and a large herd of buffalo at the Tupelo Buffalo Park and then explored the Natchez Trace Museum. In the Tunica area, they toured the Riverpark Museum that contains educational material about the importance of the Mississippi River and its history.
On Wednesday, August 6, the group was able to see Chris Phelps’s operation in Senatobia, MS. and Terry Hankins’ farm and the Goat Rancher Magazine headquarters in Sara, MS. They then traveled to Jackson, MS.
The next day, August 7, they were given a tour of the agriculture facilities and campus at Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS. That afternoon they explored the history of the Mississippi Delta at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture’s Ag. Museum.
In Louisiana on August 8, the group saw Tran Asprodites’ operation in Kentwood, Coco’s Boer goats farm in Robert and the Strecker’s operation in Greenwell Springs. This concluded the Goat Educational Trip and the group arrived back in Baton Rouge at the LSU campus.
The youth who participated in the educational trip were Aaron Martin , Rapides Parish; Hunter Huval, St. Martin Parish; Ian Guillote, Iberia Parish ; Kurt Williams , Livingston Parish; Tanner Ardoin, Evangeline Parish ; Cody Quebedeaux, Lafourche Parish ; Wyatt Joiner, St. Tammany Parish ; Garet Berry, Calcasieu Parish ; Ashley Johnson , Lafayette Parish; Morgan Thibodeaux , St. Martin Parish; Leah Ewing , East Baton Rouge Parish ; Roxanne Paul , Rapides Parish ; Chase Bijeaux , St. Martin Parish ; Caitlyn Rogers, Lafourche Parish ; Kylee Beaubouef, Avoyelles Parish ; Miranda Robinette, Bienville Parish; Colton Pilcher, Sabine Parish ; Madison Shove , Cameron Parish ; and Shelby Miller, Calcasieu Parish.
They were accompanied by the following chaperones: Steve Borel from Point Coupee; Amanda Calhoun from West Carroll and Hubert Wilkerson from Natchitoches.