2:00 Meeting called to order by Darlene Cullen, President

Darlene introduced guest speaker Mike McClintock, Boone Co. Extension Agent.  Mike did a presentation on Meat Goat Selection for traits of economic importance, preventive care, record keeping and marketing.

3:15 Darlene Cullen requested Dixie Robison give the financial report and the minutes from the last meeting.  Dixie requested that she give everyone written reports to save time as the meeting was running long.  Reports were passed out to all members present.    Robbie Healea made a motion to accept the treasurer report and the last meetings minutes.  Ken Ziemer seconded the motion.   The motion passed.

Nancy Edgerly reported on the current market.  Prices are steady.  Nancy has been speaking with a man from Talaqua, OK.  on possibly combining efforts to have sales coinciding with each other – either on the same day or a day apart.  The buyer would leave one and head to the other.  By working together our numbers would be up and a better price would be received.  The goats would be weighed here and the farm would be paid here.

Robbie Healea stated bottle babies are going for $10.00 to $25.00 per head.  He personally has sold his bottle babies on the local radio station for $30.00 a head.

Darlene Cullen read the show report as Robert McMahen was not in attendance.  Robert requested help May 2^nd , 2:00 p.m. at the Harrison Fair Grounds to assist with cleaning.

Darlene Cullen read the By-Law changes.  Robbie Healea made a motion to accept the changes as read.  Jim Robison second the motion.  The motion was passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Wendy Royce resigned as secretary of the NAMGA.  Dixie Robison will be the Secretary / Treasurer.

It was brought out that we need to join efforts with sheep producers to bring our numbers up and have a better market.  It was asked that anyone with knowledge of sheep producers to get their email address so our marketing team can contact them.

Goats Galore, Sheep and More pen sale date is set for June 12^th.  A copy of the ad for the pen sale was shown that was in the Ozarks Farm &Neighbor.  It will be in there for 2 publications.   An ad will be in the May issue of the Goat Rancher.  Emails w/flyer are being sent to county extension agents and to all FFA teachers.  Flyers were handed out and requested they be hung in areas where Sheep & Goat Producers will see them.  Information on the pen sale is located on the NAMGA web site. 

Fall Clinic date has been set for October 30, 2010.  The agenda for the clinic is to be determined.

Budget - the board has discussed setting up a budget to present to the members in October for the year 2011.  With a budget in place it will make the NAMGA more efficient in advertising and planning events.

NAMGA owns a scale.  The members present unanimously decided that the scale will be rented out to NAMGA members only for $5.00 per day with a $50.00 deposit.  The deposit will be returned to the renter upon return of the scale in good operational condition.  The deposit will be kept should the renter keep the scale longer than the requested time or should the scale be returned damaged.  Robert McMahen will be the keeper of the scale, renting it out and collecting the funds.

Web site: We have a new web site design.  Robbie Healea had to resign as the web site designer and Ken Ziemer has taken up the torch.  Ken is doing a great job.   For a word ad with a link to another site the cost is $5.00 a month.  For an ad that includes a picture the cost is $10.00 a month.  Ken suggested adding a farm page for those who do not have their own web sites.  He suggested a fee of $20.00 per month with a minimum of 6 months purchased in advance and to allow one change a month.    It was requested that Ken add a visitor counter to the site.  He agreed to work on it. Motion to accept by: Nancy Edgerly.  Jim Robison second the motion.  The motion passed.

Robbie Healea mentioned that Marilyn Richardson had not been reimbursed for expenses from the past year - even though receipts had been submitted.  Dixie Robison advised that the receipt had been turned in and she had mailed a check out on January 4^th, 2010.  Dixie then requested that Marilyn speak with her after the meeting so this issue could be resolved.

Robbie Healea made a motion to adjourn at 4:20 p.m.  Second by Jim Robison. Meeting adjourned.

The NAMGA met January 17^th @ 2:30pm at the Farm Bureau Office in Harrison. Meeting called to order by Darlene Cullen, president.  Darlene introduces Steve Jones guest speaker from UAEX office.  Steve Jones took the floor and spoke about his position with the UAEX office, among other titles Steve is over the Adult Small Ruminant Division. Minutes from last meeting read by Wendy.  Motion to accept by Robert McMahen / Second Ken Zeimer. Financial report given by Dixie Robison.  Motion to accept by Jim Robison / Second  Robbie Healea. Market report given by Robbie Healea. Marketing report given by Nancy Edgerly.   Last meeting Nancy reported she needed 400# of goat meat.  She was unable to fill the order.  She found a breeder who had the goats but instead of selling to Nancy they took the goats to an auction.  Discussed getting the word out that selling without going through the auction barn saves breeders money.   Discussed joining forces with the sheep breeders for a joint sell this year .   She will be contacting buyers to see if we can get one to commit to come to our pen sale.  Requested everyone pass the word on about the sale, having anyone interested to contact her or Darlene. OLD BUSINESS:  The meetings were changed from monthly to quarterly, with a time change to 2:00 pm.  Motion to accept by Robert McMahen,/ Second by Nancy Edgerly.  The bylaws should be changed to reflect the change of meeting quarterly.  Motion to accept by Robbie Healea/ Second by Ken Zeimer.  Will be voted on at April meeting and bylaws amended after vote.  Discussion of Yahoo group.  Currently we have 21 active members on the yahoo group.   NAMGA members agree that to post on the Yahoo group you must be a current member of NAMGA .  Non-members may only view the post but may not participate in the discussion.  NEW BUSINESS:  Web site:  Currently Robbie is having software conflicts and can not update the web site.  He is working on it and will update it as soon as possible. Meeting:  It was agreed that an education presentation be added to each meeting – keeping it short within 15 to 20 minutes. Bylaws Amendment:  Change the bylaws to read that it takes 2/3 of the members present at the meeting to pass the vote.   It had read that it would take 2/3 members vote.  Motion accepted by Jim Robison / Second by Ken Ziemer.  Will be voted on at April meeting and bylaws amended after vote. Dues:  Board recommends changing dues to be paid each January instead of when each member joined.  This will bring all dues payable at the same time – rather than spread out over the year.  This will allow for easier tracking and bookkeeping.    If a new member joins after July 1^st they will only be required to pay ½ the dues for the remaining year with their annual dues payable in January.  With the exception of new members who join at the goat clinic.  The dues collected at the goat clinic will pay that member up through the coming year.   Letters will be sent out this month with the notification of the change to all members, along with a information sheet.  Each year forward a reminder letter will be mailed in December for the dues payable in January.  Motion to accept by: Robert McMahen / second by Wendy Beatty.  Post office Box:  Board recommends to the group that NAMGA acquire a post office box in Harrison for an annual fee of approximately $36.00.  The president and treasurer will each have a key and the box will be checked on a weekly basis.  The move to have a P.O. Box is recommended so all correspondence will be coming to one central address.  Motion to accept by: Jim Robison / Second by Nancy Edgerly.  A sign up sheet for committees and newsletter author was passed around. Calendar of events can be found at: Kens Site, NAMGA Site and Robert McMahen’s site. Pen Sale: possible date in June.  Ken suggested including MO.meat goat breeding stock group.  Ken will be checking into the possibility and will report back to NAMGA at April meeting.  Show Sponsor:  Robert McMahen requested the NAMGA sponsor the August market show – it will include lambs, hogs, calves and goats in the amount of $500.00.  Roberts stated that the monies would all be given back to the kids.  Dixie question how the monies would be given to the kids.  Robert explained through the awards.  This was a vote by show of hands.  All in favor – none voted against.  American Goat Federation:  Darlene mentions that a group was forming in Tennessee that was looking for interested people to join them.  They are working to become a voice in Washington for the Meat Goat Industry. Show Displays:  Ken reported that the new NAMGA display was at Roberts office at the fair grounds.  Ken will change the meeting day and times to bring it current and it will be ready to use.  Ken will be updating the old board so the group will have 2 displays.  Clair had spoke with Ken, requesting to have one of the NAMGA display boards so she could set it up on her pasture walks.  4:10 pm Robbie Healea motioned to close the meeting / Jim Robison Second. Meeting adjourned.

November 15, 2009

The NAMGA met November 15th at 2:30pm at the Farm Bureau Office in Harrison.  Robert McMahen presided over the meeting.  No previous minutes or financial report were given.

OLD BUSINESS: Thanks was given for a successful 2009 Fall Goat Clinic.

NEW BUSINESS: New officers nominated and elected for 2010 are:  President - Darlene Cullen,  Vice-President - Robert Healea,  Secretary - Wendy Royce,  Treasurer - Dixie Robinson,  Show Superintendent - Robert McMahen.

Show Superintendent is a new position created with responsibility being to plan, organize and promote local show events and to keep group informed of show events throughout the state.  Show Superintendent and Show Committee will work together.

Nancy Edgerly mentioned that she had a buyer needing 400 lbs of meat for an event and had a difficult time finding enough producers with animals to meet the request.  He ended up taking the animals she could provide.

It was agreed upon to have no December meeting.  January meeting will be held on January 17th at 2:30 at the Farm Bureau office in Harrison. Meetings will be quarterly for 2010.

Meeting was adjourned.

North Arkansas Meat Goat Association (NAMGA)

PO Box 1033

Harrison Arkansas 72602

namga@arkansasmeatgoat.com

Web Site by Ken and Candy Ziemer  http://www.critterridge.net