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New business opportunities, such as meat goat production, exist for farm families to diversify their small farm operations and to explore alternative enterprises and innovative marketing systems to increase their farm income. For more than four decades, Tuskegee University (TU) has played a leading role in goat research and as a resource for small and minority farmers involved in goat production. The Tuskegee University held its inaugural Master Goat Producer’s Training Certification (MGPC) Program in August 2008 to provide new and established producers an opportunity to access up-to-date and accurate information on how to raise healthy, productive meat goats. The Annual MGPC Program is scheduled to be held on August 6-8, 2025 with a “Grants for Producers” pre-program workshop event sponsored by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) on Sunday, July 30 at 6:00 PM. In conjunction with the Tuskegee University Caprine Research and Education team, contributors from Florida A&M University, Mississippi State University, University, Auburn University, Auburn University, University of Georgia, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries USDA and others provide a comprehensive training program with classes on herd health, marketing, nutrition and pasture management, bio-security, bio-terrorism awareness, quality assurance, disaster preparedness, reproductive management and much, much more. The program also includes hands-on training in hoof trimming, assessing body condition scores, judging livestock, FAMACHA and microscopic fecal examinations, pasture management and more with three levels of program certification available. Since its inception, almost 300 producers, agricultural professions and other stakeholders have been trained as a result of this program. Registration materials are now available online or may be obtained from Demetria Jones-Williams at dwilliams3@tuskegee.edu or 334-727-8453.
Registration ($75) deadline is July 16, 2025 with late registration $10 thereafter. Registration begins May 25, 2025. Lodging scholarship are available.
The Master Goat Producer's Certification Program is a comprehensive training program which offers classes on herd health, marketing, nutrition and pasture management, bio-security, bio-terrorism awareness, quality assurance, disaster preparedness, reproductive management and much, much more. The program will include hands-on training in hoof trimming, assessing body condition scores, artificial insemination, judging livestock, FAMACHA and microscopic fecal examinations, pasture management and more. There are three levels of certification and they are as follows:
Registration for the 2024 MGPC Program begins May 25, 2024. This year’s event will last three days, July 31 - August 2, 2024 and requires registration ($75 by July 16 and $85 thereafter). Individuals are encouraged to spread the word.
Announcement flyers for the Training Program and Grants Workshop can be downloaded by clicking on the images below.
Registration for the 2025 MGPC Program begins May 25, 2025. This is a three day event and requires registration. Interested persons may access the Mail-In Registration Form and mail your completed registration form along with the check and/or money order to the address indicated on the form. Alternatively, individuals may Register Online.
A post-program workshop entitled “Grants for Producers” will also be held at 2:30PM on August 7; pre-registration for workshop is not required, but encouraged and it is a NO COST activity!!!
Min Byeng-Ryel, PhD
Associate Professor of Animal Science
Tuskegee University
207 Morrison Mayberry Hall
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Tel: (334) 724-4732 Fax: (334) 727-8552
E-mail: bmin1@tuskegee.edu
Heba Abdo, PhD
Smart-Climate Field Technical
Tuskegee University
207 Morrison Mayberry Hall
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Tel: (334) 552-2885 \Fax: (334) 727-8552
E-mail: habdo@tuskegee.edu
Demetria Jones-Williams
Program Assistant
Tuskegee University
205 Mary Starke Harper Hall
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Tel: (334) 727-8453 Fax: (334) 727-8552
E-mail: dwilliams3@tuskegee.edu
The answers to most FAQs can be found on the Registration Form. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us through the contact information provided above.
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