08/25/2025
As we head to the Nebraska State Fair this morning we are reminded of the many great memories from this year’s National Show. Fonner Park in Grand Island was a beautiful backdrop for the National Show, spacious, well designed, and truly livestock oriented in their ability to understand the unique needs that come with thousands of animals and their people collecting in one place for a week.
The week had lots of high points. First was the fact that we were able to reconnect with Steve Pope. The official photographer for many years at Nationals, we developed a friendship outside of "goats" with Steve and it was great to see him again. We were told by a very wise fellow goat breeder (Nan Wojcik) to take a family picture every year, regardless of placings, as you never know when a National Show trip becomes the last one. Following that, a family "Purple Shirt" picture has become one of our annual traditions at the National Show, and for many years, Steve would join in on our "Family Picture". After a few years of hiatus, we finally have an updated Larson + Steve photo, purple shirts and all!
Every spring we have undergraduate students from CSU "intern" with us during chore times, mostly focused on milking and bottle feeding, this allows them to experience dairy goats, gain animal contact hours for vet school applications, we get to introduce a whole new group of people, and we have gained several faithful experienced chorehands. Many years ago, Jeremy spent a spring interning with us, attended a few shows with us and became part of the family. His daughter Lillian has joined the show team and they took a family trip out to Nebraska for the youth weekend. Lillian had a great time meeting new goat friends, joined in on a fitting team, and even made the cut in Jr Showmanship with Thelma her Togg friend!
The evening of the Jr Alpine show was yet another example of the resourcefulness and willingness to help that goat people have always exhibited as the barn came together to address the rain coming in the swine barn. Brooms were grabbed quickly and everyone worked efficiently and cheerfully, ensuring tack was removed from puddles and animal pens were protected as water was rapidly swept back out of the barn. We have been part of several National shows and as weather challenges are present regardless of location, this was another chapter of memories we gained as part of this amazing community. Strangers became friends as phone numbers were tracked down, animal pens were prioritized, and tack was rescued without a moment of hesitation. We have often discussed the family friendly atmosphere that kept us coming back when the Larson Family was more kids than adults and that was proven over and over again with the eagerness that everyone showed to pitch in.
Many of our fondest memories have been made traveling around the country with the goats that hold our hearts and the 2025 ADGA National Show in Grand Island Nebraska was no exception. Through the show ring, the Spotlight Sale stage, penside chats, late night water sweeping, and all the moments in between, this was truly the highlight of the summer.
