MDGA Outstanding Youth

    2009 Outstanding Youth Applications

Each year the MDGA selects an Outstanding Youth to represent them at major events. The selection is made from applications based on his/her interest in the dairy goat industry, personality, two recommendations written by persons other than a family member and a resume written by the contestant. The winner assists the State Fair Youth Committee and officiates at Minnesota State Fair goat shows, assists with the youth "I Milked a Goat" booth at the Minnesota State Fair, assists with awards at the Minnesota State Fair Open Show awards ceremony, assists with dairy promotions, and receives a $200 award to be used as a scholarship or toward expenses of attending the ADGA Annual Convention. Applications were due June 30th, 2009, but the deadline has been extended to July 31st, 2009.

Click on one of the following links to acquire the application.  MSWORD    PDF

               2009 Youth Coordinator Position Application

MDGA is seeking a new Youth Coordinator for the upcoming activities of this year and into 2010. The duties are listed on the application form. To apply, click one of the following links, complete the form, and send it to Diana Miels at the address listed on the application. The deadline is July 31st, 2009.

 MSWORD                    PDF

2008 Outstanding Youth - Lauren Schifsky

Lauren is 16 and will be a Junior this fall at AFSA (a charter school for agriculture, foods and science). Lauren’s interest in goats started when she got 2 pygmy goats as her sixth birthday present. She was instantly “hooked” on goats from that day on. She has had many breeds through the years, but fell in love with the Nigerians and built her herd from her original first 4 Nigerians. The last ten years have been filled with activities for Lauren including 4-H, the Northland Pet Goat Club, MDGA, FFA, Saddle Club trail rides, county fairs and state fairs. Lauren also wrote for the GGG when she was younger.

Fall will be busy as Lauren also owns “Doc”, her gaming horse, and will be competing in the Western Saddle Club Champ show. Through many “goat friends” and their help, Lauren has enjoyed years of breeding and raising her Nigerians. Last spring brought 35 new kids to her farm, and Lauren is already anticipating the 2009 breeding season.

2008 Outstanding Youth Runner Up - Gretchen Beverly

Gretchen is the 3rd daughter of 4. Gretchen also goes to the AFSA charter school. She chose this school because of the size and the fact they major in agriculture. Since starting high school she has been on the A and B honor roll and excelled in many areas of agriculture. Gretchen has been working with animals since she was 12 years old. She worked with a petting zoo for the last 5 years. The past year she has worked at Poplar Hill Dairy by milking goats. She helps teaching 1st graders at church and works in the nursery on Sundays. Gretchen is very responsible and takes tasks very seriously. Wherever she goes, children are attracted to Gretchen and she always takes good care of the kids.

Since Gretchen bought her first LaMancha, she has had many setbacks with her goats, but she has continued to chug along and take it in stride even after loosing her prize goat to liver flukes. All you have to do is be around Gretchen for a short while and you will see the love she has for goats and the compassion she has for everything God has put on the earth.

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