Goat Project

Project Description 

Although beginners do not need to own a goat, the more advanced levels of the project are designed for those who have one or more goats to care for. Raise a goat for milk, mohair, meat, or even for packing.

Project Requirements

Project Books required? Optional

*** Each enrolled livestock member will attend 3 workshops per species (Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Rabbit, Poultry, Dairy Cattle) to show/sell their animal at the fair. These will be completed prior to June 1st, when FairEntry opens up. These workshops will be attended in person in Lewis & Clark County.

Dairy Goat Project Books

• Dairy Goat Level 1: Getting Your Goat and Helper's Guide
• Dairy Goat Level 2: Stepping Out and Helper's Guide
• Dairy Goat Level 3: Showing the Way and Helper's Guide

Meat Goat Project Books

• Meat Goat Level 1: Just Browsing and Helper's Guide
• Meat Goat Level 2: Growing with Meat Goats and Helper's Guide
• Meat Goat Level 3: Meating the Future and Helper's Guide
• Meat Goat Evaluation

Level Progression Requirements

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 2?

• Complete 3 years in Level 1

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 3?

• Complete 3 years in Level 2

What needs to be accomplished to move to the next levels from here?

• Complete 3 years in Level 3
• Self-determined project
• Independent Study project

Project age limit?

8 and up

What should new members know?

• You need to get a scrapie tag/tattoo from the person you are buying a goat from
• You also need to know Date of Birth (DOB), the sire and dam, and have the registration papers if the goat is registered.
• Items to Buy
  • Collar(s)
  • Lead rope
  • Water bucket
  • Hay feeder
  • Hoof clipper
  • Hoof rasp (small hand held wood plane)
  • Shampoo

Dates for the 2024-2025 4-H Year

• Sheep/Goat Workshop November 16, 2025, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM in the BHB
• Sheep/Goat Workshop January 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the BHB
• Sheep/Goat Workshop February 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM in the BHB
• DIY Workshop February 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM in the BHB
• Marketing Workshop March 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM in the BHB
• Sheep/Goat Workshop March 15, 2026 at 1:30 PM in the BHB
• Sheep/Goat Workshop April 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the BHB
• Tagging forms due by 5:00 PM on April 28, 2026
• Goat Tagging May 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM in the Scale House
• Showmanship all species May 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the BHB

Project Superintendent Information

Goat Superintendent: Karyn Hamilton & Michelle Eckhart
Contact: karyn1hamilton@gmail.com or 406-461-7536 and michelle.eckhart@yahoo.com or 406-475-2202
How will you be contacted? Phone or text

Junior Superintendents: Zach Eckhart, Kiley Eckhart, and Makell Guymon

Additional Project Information

2026 4-H MARKET GOAT TAGGING

Possession date: Monday, April 20, 2026

Tagging form(s) due: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 by 5:00 PM

Tagging date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
12:00 to 12:30 PM in the Bill Hamilton Building Scale House

Goat Tagging Form

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717