AGF History

In early 2000, the American Meat Goat Association (AMGA) and the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) launched a joint effort to create an all-inclusive national goat organization. The ADGA was well-established and the AMGA which was much younger, was struggling to become more than just a Texas-based organization. Marvin Shurley, who was instrumental in maintaining the AMGA, and who was heavily involved in the meat goat industry had a mission to make that happen. Both he and Linda Campbell from ADGA were personally involved in the discussions and steps toward a national group, which was originally labeled the American Goat Council.
The NSIIC awarded a grant to the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, which took the first steps toward building a new organization modeled on the ASI operational model. Ray Bowman, who was also a member of the ASI Goat Committee, was Executive Officer of that Office at the time.
An initial meeting that included various members of the goat industry, as well as several from the ASI Goat Committee was organized. In 2009, an interim Board of twelve directors was appointed from among eighteen candidates nominated and voted on by the ASI Goat Committee. Ray Bowman directed the process. At the time, Lee Bloodworth (TX) and Dean Swenson (ND) were co-chairs of the Goat Committee. Previous chair persons of the goat committee included Glen Fisher and Nina Baucus.
The new organization name was determined (AGF), the process of meetings to draw-up bylaws, become incorporated, and the like was undertaken. ASI provided guidance in the process and offered administrative services for a fee before a transition to the current administrative office in Maine. A second grant from NSIIC was awarded to AGF in 2012 for educational and other activities.