Organized in 1975

The SEKDGC was organized in 1975 by charter members Bob Blades of Fredonia, Harold Bays and his sister of Independence, Mary Ann Smith of Yates Center, the younger Clubine family, and Lee and Peggy Jessup of Piqua. They were encouraged by goat owners in other parts of the satate: Jeff Cross of Riley, Kansas, The Estes's of Hutchinson, Jim Roach of Wichita, Ahman Karr of Tonganoxie, and The Fooshees of Garnet.

The Early Days

In the early days a dairy specialist from Kansas State University same to the Smith farm where Jeff Cross had pit roasted a whole hog! The "experts" demonstrated artificial insemination by draping one of Mary Ann's does over a 55 gallon barrel and proceeding. It was a dry run - not for real.

Bob Blades demonstrated his goat cheese and goat soap making skills for many audiences. He bought an old church bus to haul his goats to the shows; the bucks in back, and does and kids more toward the front. He lived in that bus rather comfortably, since he didn't mind the smell of the bucks, with a stove, refrigerator, and bed. Everyone knew when Bob was at the show. He loved to visit with people and the kids loved him.

The first club sponsored show was held at Fredonia with Mary Ann Smith as Show Secretary. She said that she had no idea how to count the breeders/owners, classes, or numbers. Some kind man helped untangle the ADGA forms after the first show. Let it be know that the placings were never in jeopardy.

The Triplets Go To School

Mary Ann tells about the day a number of years ago while she was teaching school at Yates Center, that the kinergarten class has a rather unusual show and tell. Maybe one could call it a field trip as they quietly filed through the junior high library and the workroom to see three newborn goat kids who were very lucky to be alive. They had arrived in this world after a quick cesarian operation by the veterinarian who came to her farm when the mother couldn't be saved. Mary Ann didn't quite panic as she scooped up all three in a bath towel and headed to school to teach as usual. The trio survived.