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