Hello all, I just got back from the ADGA convention. It was a lot of fun, and there was so much to learn. Many of the country's most prominent goat breeders were present, it was thrilling to meet and talk to them. Most of the people there were pretty nice and frinedly, a few were not, but hey, that's how it goes! Anyway, for those of you who are serious about goats and haven't gone to a convention before, It really is worth the cost and time. I learned so much, it was a lot of fun, and they have classes where you can learn artificial insemination, cheesemaking, soapmaking, and all kinds of stuff. It was definitely worth it, but I am glad to be back (goat withdrawal!!!!)

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), October 28, 2001

Answers

Hey! Welcome back, Rebekah!! So how long was it? How 'spensive??? Sounds like fun. Which classes did you get to take?

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), October 28, 2001.

Hi Doreen, it lasted about a week. The cost for the week long convention itself was about $165.00 if I remember correctly, and that included all the fancy dinners. But then when you count in the hotel room, which was very expensive, it can really add up. We split the room with several other goat keepers, it was like a week long slumber party!!!
They had a pre training conference for people who want to be goat judges or just learn more about goat conformation and comparing the animals. I really liked that, think I liked that the best.
I was pretty excited about the AI clinic too, but that turned out to be a little anticlimatic. We had paid for both the lecture and the hands on part of the clinic. They let us in for the lecture part but then excluded us from the hands on part because there was a limit and apparently we somehow didn't make the cut. The lady said that we could watch, but watching something like that really isn't half as interesting as actually doing it, so we didn't stay for the whole thing.

What was really interesting was meeting all the other goat breeders. Some, who might have been justified in having a 'big head', were very nice and friendly, such as Barbara Rissler who owns Price of the Field Nubians, and Harvey Considine, who is practically a goat guru, was also very nice and good natured. Others were rather rude, oh well! It was truly inspiring to meet the breeders and hear their perspectives on things.

There was so much to learn, I am still soaking it in. And what a thrill to be able to talk about goats for hours on end without the other party being bored stiff!!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), October 28, 2001.

I requested info. on goats from a site that was posted a while ago. I am interested, just not quite ready yet! :o) $$$ Want to get set up first. A show would be a good place to learn more. Thanks.

-- notnow (notnow05@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001.