The American Goat Federation represents the interests of more than 150,000 producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber, breeding stock, pack goat and grazing services across the United States. Members of member organizations can join AGF as Individual members at a discounted rate. Each member organization has an individual membership for one of their members or directors as well as the opportunity to have a representative serve on the AGF Board of Directors. Individual and Affiliate members of AGF can participate in government and research surveys that can affect the goat industry, receive reduced fees for AGF Seminars, access free marketing and other programs for AGF members, and help support various activities of other goat-related organizations. Read More
MISSION STATEMENT
The American Goat Federation promotes and facilitates the development of all segments of the goat industry including dairy, meat and fiber, by encouraging sound public policy, enhancing production and marketing of goat products, and promoting research beneficial to our member organizations and all producers.
Approved 1-23-10 Nashville ASI Meeting
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2021 PROGRAM WILL BE POSTED THIS COMING OCTOBER.
$1,000 Scholarships Available for ages 17-21
$500 Scholarships Available for ages 12-16
[funded by a Cooperative Agreement with USDA/APHIS]
To encourage education and development of youth involved in the goat industry and who hold a current membership, or whose parents or guardians are members in The American Goat Federation or any of its member organizations. [MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS: Alabama Meat Goat & Sheep Producers, American Boer Goat Association, American Dairy Goat Association, American Kiko Goat Association, Cashmere Goat Association, Hawaii Sheep & Goat Association, North American Pack Goat Association, North American Savannah Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association] Find out More
August is National Goat Cheese Month
The American Cheese Society launched National Goat Cheese Month in 1998 “to promote the benefits of cooking with goat cheese.”
August can be a seasonal highlight for flavorful goat cheeses. 
The summer diets of goats, including dairy goats can include wild berries and fresh herbs. The abundance of food choices this time of year can enhance the flavor of the milk, making for excellent goat milk cheeses.
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The AMERICAN GOAT INITIATIVE
AGF believes there is a significant need for a national center for goat research and education, similar to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. After extensive research and discussions with federal government officials it became apparent that federal funding like that that supports the NSIIC would not be available. In 2018, AGF received a substantial sum of seed money to establish a National Goat Center and that entity has been organized and registered with the Federal government. The name of the association is the American Goat Initiative (A.G.I.) and it is a 501 (c) 3 scientific research and educational nonprofit foundation able to accept tax deductible donations.
Mission: Advance the US Goat Industry through Education, Scientific Research and Collaboration.
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Mission: Advance the US Goat Industry through Education, Scientific Research and Collaboration.
MEMBER SERVICES FROM AGF
- Free Marketing Page for Goats and Goat Products on the AGF Website that links to Goatzz.com where the information will also appear. AGF has partnered with Goatzz.com to create a stronger goat industry through our combined marketing efforts. On-site searching of member farms and member goats for sale is available. Each AGF member gets their own farm profile, plus other things and it is all free.
- Free excel-based Goat Production Recordkeeping and Performance Program for recording information about members' goats. The program, GHIP-AGF (Goat Herd Improvement Program) was developed by Dr. Ken Andries of Kentucky State University, a member of our Advisory Council and Past President of AGF. The program is personalized for each producer, and the program includes all information required by the Scrapie Eradication Program.
- Upgrade to Go360 bioTrack Program for discounted price, an advanced Recordkeeping & Performance Program designed and maintained by AgSights. AGF has partnered with AgSights to offer the Go360 bioTrack Program to our members for a discount off the price through February 28, 2020.
- Opportunities to add opinions and needs to national surveys that determine how federal money is spent (money that comes from the taxes goat producers pay).
- Opportunities to help find, initiate and support research that is beneficial to their operations.READ MORE
News of Note
- AGF Visit to the "Hill." In March this year, just as Covid began to break out in America, Randy Dusek, American Goat Federation (AGF) President and Tammy Fisher, AGF Legislative and Public Policy Chair went to Washington, DC as part of the American Sheep Industry fly in. They met with a contingent of Scientists and Government officials with Agriculture Research Service (ARS) in Beltsville, Maryland. several members of congress and their staff members on Capital Hill, and representatives from USDA, the EPA, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and Department of the Interior. Read More
- American Goat Federation 2020 Annual Meeting On Tuesday morning, January 21 American Goat Federation directors, advisors, members and others gathered at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort for the 2020 Annual Meeting. After taking care of general Federation business two new directors were appointed to the Board. Tammy Fisher is an attorney with her own small town law practice. She is a fifth-generation sheep, goat and cattle rancher in Sutton County, Texas. Dr. Alison Crane is the Kansas State University Sheep and Meat Goat Specialist. She received her Ph.D. in animal science from North Dakota State University.
Three new Advisors were added to the AGF Advisory Council. Dr. Stephen White from USDA Animal Research Services, Dr. Rosie Busch from UC-Davis, and Dr. Natalie Urie from USDA NAHMS who replaces Dr. Katherine Marshall on the Council. The American Goat Initiative (AGF) hosted the Small Ruminant Vaccine Development Roundtable that afternoon. Read More
Upcoming Events
- August 14-15, 2020: Texas Sheep & Goat Expo, San Angelo, Texas. AGF will exhibit and be in attendance.
- September 18-19, 2020: Pedigree International Seminar and 1st South African Savanna Goat Auction held in the USA, (seminar on the 18th, live broadcast auction on the 19th), Springfield, Missouri. AGF will exhibit and be in attendance. More Later
- Sepember 25-26, 2020: 2020 Spanish Goat Gathering, Murfreesboro, TN. More Info
- October 5-12, 2020: American Dairy Goat Assoc Annual Convention, Syracuse, New York.
- October 28-31, 2020: National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2020 Convention will be a virtual event. AGF will exhibit.
Coxiellosis,Commonly Referred to as Q Fever
Q Fever is a highly contagious, chronic disease in goats, sheep and cattle. Q Fever is contagious to humans and that puts livestock producers, veterinarians and others who come into close contact with birthing small ruminants at risk. In addition, anyone can become infected just by breathing contaminated air, often miles away from the source. Although the acute form of Q Fever just causes flu-like symptoms in humans, the chronic form can be deadly.
Johne's (pronounced: “YO-knees”)
Johne's is a fatal gastrointestinal disease of goats and other ruminants (including cattle, sheep, elk, deer, and bison). It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). There is no cure and there is no vaccine available in the United States.
Please Help Us Grow the Goat Industry
AGF needs your membership and support so we can continue to meet the needs of all producers and relay information about goat producers' concerns and challenges to the USDA and others who make decisions that affect our industry. With the exception of a few grants; sponsors, membership fees, and donations fund the programs we provide and the expense of representing the interest of all goat producers in the United States. Whether you are part of an organization with twenty or hundreds of members; or an individual producer; or a business or organization that provides products or services to goat owners.
Its easy, its affordable, and its rewarding. With YOUR help, we can achieve our mutual goals.
Volunteer to Serve on a Committee and be an active participant in AGF activities.
As an Industry Partner Your Donation will help AGF provide services to all segments of the goat industry and support research projects beneficial to all goat producers.
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