More Than A Goat

“She can rent a goat if she wants,” said Jennifer Rudtke, leader of the Classy Caprines and Cabritos Explorers 4-H club focused on small animals in Uncasville, Connecticut.

“Rent a goat? Wait? What?” I remember thinking. Our 12-year-old daughter Abby adores animals, and I was trying to find a way to channel her interest into something that would not require us to carve out more space in our house for yet another pet. We already had a dog and two fish, and in the last year, added not one but two parakeets and a bunny to the mix. Finding a 4-H club seemed the best option, so I started researching and quickly was connected with Jennifer. I just didn’t see a goat being a part of the picture.

Curious, I started asking more questions. Turns out the program Jennifer established helps members of her 4-H club learn to care and eventually show one of her goats that reside full-time at her farm. No need for trailers or fencing in a section of your own yard. The program simply helps with food and general on-site care of a goat.

This whole idea was getting interesting and a bit humorous as we actually have no idea what we are doing when it comes to livestock or farming. Aside from imagining life at Magnolia Farms, home to Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, and my family renting an Indiana farmhouse briefly in my teen years, I was out of my element. Completely. 

But the prospect of caring for something out of the ordinary was intriguing, and Abby could not pass up the chance to care for yet another creature. She decided to give it a try, so we signed the paper and headed to Uncasville to meet “her” goat. 

Arriving at Helanco Farms, I sensed the “out of my element” feeling coming true. I was thinking we were going to get to know the goat, but we were there to work, at least my daughter was, as I stood in my gold-and-black flats, denim Capri pants, and a tunic-styled shirt with a muted blue scarf. Did I look prepared or what? I can laugh about it now, but clearly a wardrobe re-do would be necessary for this new adventure.

Fashion aside, I began to watch a “barn chore choreography” of sorts. Like clockwork, the veteran 4Hers, Gavin and Jordan, went about their respective goat care routines. (Jennifer has several goats and boards some for other 4H members.) These young boys showed no fear, and each displayed a work ethic to be admired, if not outright praised. I knew right then and there that my daughter would be working with individuals who truly cared – not just for their goats but for each other. 

We then met the resident goats: Oreo, April, Hazel, Sadie, Clover, Fern, Magnum, Merriweather, Bo, Winston, Willow, and the apparent queen bee of the crew, Peggy Sue (the group gives its own award to anyone who can show this Alpine diva successfully). Our daughter, we had been told, would be caring for Willow, a 3-year-old doe who had just had triplets. Once a week, Abby would need to head to Jennifer’s farm to care for Willow, a La Mancha goat, a breed we quickly learned is famous for its “missing” ears. 

Weeks began to fly by as Abby got the hang of handling Willow and even some of the other goats. Soon it was showtime at one of the local county fairs. Displaying animals in these settings was also a new experience, so I settled in to learn right along with Abby as she entered the showmanship ring with Willow. After extensive judging, the winners were announced. Our daughter had won first place in the novice competition! She would go on to do well in the other showmanship categories, too. 

As Abby moved forward to receive her ribbons, I realized something far bigger had been happening all this time. There, in that ring and well outside of it, future leaders were developing as they practiced, competed, checked stalls, milked and groomed their goats, and answered the many questions asked by passers-by and some of the younger 4-Hers. For those familiar with 4H, this all comes as no surprise, but to me, a New Jersey native who drinks too much caffeine and talks way too fast, 4H was a new phenomenon. Seeing these young people of all ages and backgrounds work from dawn to dusk to care for their animals is incredible. Seeing the leaders they are becoming, though, is beyond inspiring. 

“You can rent a goat.” The words will always make me smile for I know now that what is really being rented is a path to a future filled with confidence, humility, teamwork, and respect, as well as other gifts that may never be fully measured.

Sincerest thanks to Helanco Farms, Jennifer Rudtke, and the Uncasville, CT-based Classy Caprines & Capritos Explorers 4-H club for entertaining all my questions and for laughing a little with me as I continue to wear the wrong outfits to the farm.