The American Goat Federation

•         Seeks to unite all facets of the goat industry in the United States so that the industry may speak with a single, unified voice on the national level and be recognized as the principle contact for the goat industry by government (USDA, FDA and others) and agricultural interests (American Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union, etc.)

•          Does not wish to interfere with any existing local, regional or national goat organization or breed registry, but hopes to be a conduit through which information and communication may flow among and from all sectors of the goat industry.

•         Seeks to strengthen bonds between the sheep and goat industries in the United States emphasizing their similarities while embracing their obvious differences, so that a stronger voice representing more constituents from both groups may be heard.

•         Seeks to improve the image of the goat industry, assist in its maturation and promote the recognition of the industry as a viable and essential part of American agriculture.

•         Seeks to promote unity and harmony within a uniquely diverse group of participants with many individual interests, but one common goal: The health and success of the goat industry in the United States.

·        In the August, 2008 issue of Goat Rancher magazine, editor Terry Hankins wrote:

Goat producers have enjoyed the growth and rising prosperity of their industry. Unfortunately, as the status of the industry increases, so does scrutiny from the federal government. For years goats were an insignificant blip for federal regulators. With thousands of new producers, however, the industry can no longer cruise under Washington’s radar. Goats are finding themselves either directly or indirectly affected by new rules coming out of the nation’s capitol.

My question as a producer is, who is watching out for the interests of the goat producer in this steady stream of new rules and regulations? For the most part, the answer is NOBODY.

Terry’s remarks were timely and to the point, but he was not the first to recognize the need.  In 1993, Linda Campbell, President of the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) approached members of the American Meat Goat Association (AMGA) to discuss the creation of a new organization (U.S. Goat Council) that would represent all segments of the goat industry, including meat, dairy and fiber.  The idea was supported by the AMGA, who moved forward to help with initial implementation plans.  The concept had the support of many, but due to the dynamics of the time, including difficulty in communicating with the various segments of the industry, the idea slept for 10 years.

In August of 2003, the idea was revisited, with the  support of Marvin Shurley, President of the American Meat Goat Association.   A meeting of interested representatives of the goat industry was held in Chicago, hosted by the American Sheep Industry Improvement Center.  The group at the meeting unanimously agreed that the concept was a worthy one, and all were in agreement that the timing was finally right for the idea to begin to take shape. 

In November 2004, a follow-up organizational meeting was held in Austin, Texas.  Those in attendance made plans to pursue not-for-profit organizational efforts and setup an account to receive donations for startup funds.  Initial financial commitment was received from the American Meat Goat Association, the American Dairy Goat Association, the American Boer Goat Association, the U.S. Boer Goat Association and the International Boer Goat Association. Marvin Shurley agreed to serve as Acting President, and Linda Campbell as Vice President.  The funding, however, was never collected and the idea continued to languish.

At the American Sheep Industry Association meeting in Las Vegas in late January 2008, members of the ASI Goat Committee decided that in order for collaboration of efforts between ASI and the goat industry on various projects to occur, there needs to be a central entity, a national organization to represent all goat groups.  It was decided at that time that the U.S. Goat Council should be reborn as the American Goat Federation.

 The goat industry currently represents the fastest growing segment of American agriculture, however lack of a central organization to represent the interests of the industry have been seen as a major impediment to continued maturation.  Support for the American Goat Federation would allow that organization to fill the existing void and move the goat industry forward.

To date a structure for implementation of this idea, the principle catalyst, has been missing.  Recently, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office (KySGDO) under the oversight of the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and the Kentucky Goat Producers Association stepped forward and agreed to provide that structure and serve as interim host of the American Goat Federation.  

On January 23, 2009 a proposal was presented to the American Sheep Industry Association at their annual meeting in San Diego for affiliation with that organization.  (ASI is one of the oldest and most respected livestock organizations in the United States.) In that proposal AGF sought limited administrative guidance in the structuring of the new organization.  The ASI Goat Council will be reorganized and will then appoint an acting board of directors for the AGF and provide guidance and oversight until the 2010 Annual Meeting of ASI in Nashville, TN.  At such time AGF should be well enough established to hold its first annual meeting and elect the first official board of directors for the organization.  The ASI Goat Council will then become the interface between the AGF and ASI.  This proposal was approved by the ASI board and the reorganization of the goat committee will be completed by the end of February with the provisional AGF board to be appointed by the end of March.

 Goats have been in North America since the days of the Spanish explorers, yet the industry in the U.S., and worldwide for that matter, is still in its infancy.  Growing up under the influence of an older, more experienced sibling like ASI will bring the industries closer together and assist the American Goat Federation in dealing with some of the growing pains inherent with the early development of an organization.

Please check back as we begin to add more information and documents to this website.