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Message
from the
President
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August
2004 -- By
Susan
Prechtl
As
I write this
it’s the
end of July
and already
it seems
like the dog
days of
summer are
here. Things
around the
farm are
getting
brown and
the goats
are eating
down the
remaining
pasture
grasses
quickly.
Thankfully,
the barn hay
storage area
is full to
the rafters
with some of
this year’s
hay crop,
purchased
from a local
grower. It
seems like
the year is
passing by
far too
quickly and
I still have
a long list
of those
chores to do
that can
only be
accomplished
during the
dry summer
weather. But
my
motivation
to get them
done seems
to be
flagging a
bit as I’d
much rather
sit on the
porch with a
cool drink
and watch
the critters
go about
their daily
business.
Ah, if only
I could
harness all
that goat
power
standing out
there in the
pasture and
laying about
under the
trees.
The days
have been
hot yet the
goats
continue to
grow their
winter
fleeces. I
always worry
about them
in the heat
but they
seem to know
when it’s
time to go
out under
the tall
mature
Douglas fir
trees and
laze about.
I freshen
their water
each day to
ensure that
it stays as
cool as
possible and
sometimes I’ll
put the
sprinkler
out to cool
down a patch
of ground.
It doesn’t
make the
grass grow
but it does
offer the
goats a cool
spot after
the water is
turned off.
It’s too
dry to make
a muddy
patch but it
is enough to
offer a bit
of relief.
The dusty
conditions
do seem to
attract the
guard llama,
Flash, and I’ll
see him out
there just
rolling away
in the dirt,
his legs
kicking up
high. The
stinker! He
has managed
to wear a
llama-sized
hole at the
base of a
tree and
relishes his
daily dust
bath. I hope
this is
something
that the
goats don’t
learn to do
or all their
fleeces will
be filthy!
Over the
course of
the summer
there have
been some
changes to
the PBA
board of
Directors as
term ends
were
reached. I
have
replaced
Jill
Gallagher as
president
and I’m
going to
have a tough
time
following in
her
footsteps.
She was a
dedicated
president
who spent
considerable
time and
effort
guiding PBA
through a
period of
much growth.
We’re
blessed in
that she
will
continue on
the board as
a director
as I know I’m
going to
need to draw
upon her
experience.
Other
changes are:
Sharon
Lawson will
take on the
duties of
secretary.
Chris
Utterback
has accepted
the position
of vice
president.
Fran Bishop
will
continue as
the
treasurer
&
registrar.
We very much
appreciate
the quality
and
integrity of
our board
members and
their
willingness
to shoulder
the various
areas of
responsibility.
Their
dedication,
participation
and
commitment
are the key
to the
success and
growth of
the Pygora
Breeders
Association.
PBA has many
people who
graciously
give of
their time
in other
ways and I
encourage
you to check
out the
listing
elsewhere in
this
newsletter
(editor’s
note: see
pages 4-5).
We are
extremely
grateful for
their
service and
expertise!!
Be sure to
check out
the new PBA
members
listed
elsewhere in
this
newsletter
(editor’s
note: see
page 9).
Perhaps you’ll
find an
opportunity
to contact
any new
members who
live in your
area.
Establishing
a network of
local Pygora
breeders is
a great way
to share
information
on goat care
and learn
about
processing
fiber or
upcoming
goat or
fiber
events.
On another
note, summer
is a time of
county
fairs, fiber
events, and
animal
shows. We do
so hope that
you’re
finding
opportunities
to showcase
your goats
and educate
the public
on the
positive
aspects of
Pygora goat
ownership
and the
excellent
quality of
the fiber
they
produce. If
you need
ideas or
help in any
way with
organizing a
goat show,
fiber
events, or
need
educational
materials,
please
contact the
board so
that we
might be
able to pass
along some
ideas or
materials to
help you.
Listed
elsewhere in
this
newsletter
(editor’s
note: see
pages 4-5)
are the
names of the
entire board
of directors
and
committee
chairs along
with how to
contact
them. Please
do not
hesitate to
contact any
one of us
should you
have any
questions,
concerns, or
ideas about
any aspect
of Pygora
ownership,
breeding,
registering
or showing.
If we don’t
have an
answer for
you we’ll
try to put
you in
contact with
someone who
will.
I know I
speak for
the entire
board of
directors
when I say
that we
truly
appreciate
all our
members and
we hope more
of you will
get involved
in PBA
activities.
If you would
like to
participate
in board
meetings,
please let
me know and
I’ll add
your email
address to
our list.
When a
meeting is
scheduled,
you will be
advised of
the date it
will begin
and will
begin to
receive the
discussion
emails.
There will
be
opportunities
for you to
“speak”
and
contribute
to the
meetings on
the subjects
discussed.
An agenda is
provided at
the
beginning of
each meeting
to allow
participants
to review
the items we
hope to
cover.
Again,
please just
let me know
if you would
like to
participate
– you can
email me at:
pygora@clatskanie.com
Have a safe
and happy
summer!
Susan
Prechtl
Hidden
Meadow Farm
pygora@clatskanie.com
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