Chewing it Up

  It was a hop skip and a jump for our third day of 4-H Animal Science Day Camp as we travelled to Raeford.  We went to see Stephanie Carter and her family's goat farm.  Stephanie is a 4-H alum and was well known in the goat showing circuit.  When we arrived we met our fellow campers from Bladen, Cumberland, and Hoke counties.  We split up into groups and worked with lots of really friendly goats.  We learned goats can be great for clearing grassy areas and problem vegetation like kudzo.  Sometimes they get a bad wrap for eating and climbing on everything but these goats didn't do that they were well behaved, just like us.
While we were at the Carter's farm we learned all sorts of things.  We learned the different parts of the animal, how to care for them, how to show them, and generally enjoyed when random ones just walked up to us and let us pet them.  It was a hot day on the farm, even though we were in the shade.  Our livestock agents with each county lead a bunch of lessons and we rotated to each.  We even learned when to tell if a goat has worms and needs medicine to kill them.  Worms are not good for goats.
  After spending the morning on the farm we travelled to the Hoke County office where we had a pizza lunch.  It was awesome!  Then we spent the afternoon learning about goats and pigs.  Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Becky said they were going to certify us in Pig Quality Assurance or PQA.  We also learned about giving animals injections and practiced on pieces of fruit.
  After all the lessons it was time to load up in our van and head back to Robeson County.  Tomorrow is our last day with the other counties and there will be no bull about that.