[541] Youth gain goat insights at MTSU camp

MURFREESBORO — Temperatures hovered around the 90-degree mark outside the Tennessee Livestock Center.

Inside, where air conditioning made it quite comfortable, more than 40 youngsters from across Tennessee spent the entire day Tuesday (June 21) learning techniques about the care of goats and ideas for showing them in competitions from professionals.

The third annual MTSU Goat Day Camp took place in the livestock center’s small animal arena. MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience officials hold the camp to help educate rising fourth- through 12^th-graders on grooming, feeding, clipping, washing goats — and more.

MTSU professor Alanna Vaught and alumnus and Oakland High School agriculture faculty member Matt Farris led the breakout sessions and overall instruction.

Following showmanship practice, the showmanship contest was held in pee wee and elementary, middle and high school grade levels.

The student-led Block & Bridle Club sponsors the camp. The Tennessee Farmers’ Cooperative provided awards.

To learn about the 2017 MTSU Goat Day Camp, call 615-898-2523 or email Vaught at Alanna.Vaught@mtsu.edu.