Is it a bird, is it a plane; no wait it was a goat I saw in the tree. One of my first experiences with my favorite animal, the Boer goat, was when visiting a family friend's farm. He was raising organic goats and had invited our family over to consider raising and taming down some of his goats. After playing with the goats a little, my family talked about it and our adventure with goats began. For the next couple of years, each spring my brother and I would visit our friend's farm, play catch with the baby goat kids, and pick out a couple of kids to bring home. We would work on taming them down and getting them climatized to their new environment before starting the season of working with them, halter training, and show-fitting the goats in preparation for the upcoming show season. I want to gain skills that can advance my passion for animals while helping support my local rural community in the upper Midwest. While studying the animal science and agriculture business field, (ruminant nutrition, health, and business), I can learn how to determine feed rations, conduct research, and consult with farmers and ranchers regarding industry feeding practices. My dream and connection to livestock and animal science began in the 4-H youth program; growing up on a small hobby farm in rural Minnesota with meat goats and performance horses. I understand how animals are very dependent upon their human caretakers and the impact we have on their lives. I started out leasing organic meat goats but now own a small American Boer goat registered herd and have seen the impact of different feed inputs. Although genetics are very crucial, I have found that nutrition is just as important. I have met people who helped me improve my stock quality and feed stuffs inputs, as well as becoming a better herdswomen. My goal is to be a ruminant nutritionist or livestock feed sales representative so I can help local surrounding community livestock producers find nutrition solutions. My end goal or dream is to return to my home community, expand my goat herd, and open my own feed store; serving the community in many ways including giving back to 4-H and FFA, supporting educational opportunities, and expanding the nutritional and feed resources for area livestock producers. I want to give local youth more options and resources than I have had so that we can help grow their livestock quality and their passion in the livestock and agricultural field.