Kyle Stack, a 14-year-old Michigan 4-H member from Newaygo, loves raising and showing goats. When he decided that he wanted to share his love of goats with other 4-H’ers, he found a creative way to do it.

While at Leadership Washington Focus this past summer, Kyle met a girl who had begun her goat herd with an essay contest. Wanting to do the same thing for youth in his home community of Newaygo County, Kyle announced this summer that he would donate one of his Boer goats to a deserving 4-H’er in his county through an essay contest. Interested youth will submit essays on why they would like to be part of the goat project, and Kyle will select one contestant from the applicants to receive a goat. As part the contest, the winner of the goat will also receive Kyle’s mentorship and assistance throughout the year as the young person learns about raising and showing a Boer goat.

“I am hoping the 4-H'er who receives the goat will grow to love them like I do and will learn like I have through the project,” Kyle said.

Kyle’s interest in starting the goat mentorship program is a result of his positive experience with the program. He started raising and showing goats in 4-H nine years ago and feels the program has helped him develop his sense of responsibility, business management skills and self-confidence. Though Kyle raises his Rebelwoods Boer Goats herd with the help of his family, he assumes many of the responsibilities himself, including managing the business side of the operation. Today, he is a youth representative for the Michigan Boer Goat Association and is working to elevate his herd to the top of the industry. His goats have received numerous state awards, including reserve champion senior doe, reserve champion yearling doe and reserve champion Boer doe at the 2014 MichiganState 4-H Goat Show.

Outside of his involvement in the goat project area, Kyle is also involved in the 4-H agriculture and swine projects. He served as a teen leader in his county for a farm safety event and has helped with numerous community service projects hosted by the Animals Unlimited and Rebel Ranchers 4-H clubs, of which he is a member. Kyle is also a member of the Newaygo County 4-H Council and serves as its co-historian. He has also participated in 4-H Exploration Days for the past three years and has been involved in the 4-H State Awards program for the past two. In 2013, Kyle received the Mark of Excellence Award, and in 2014 he was a regional delegate in goat science.

“I would have to say my favorite part of 4-H is meeting new people who share the same interests I do while helping the community at the same time,” Kyle said.

Youth interested in participating in the Michigan 4-H goat program can find more information about the project area on the Michigan 4-H goat page.