Age: 18
Hometown: Bald Knob, Ark.
Parents: Jamie and Cindy Gaskin
Siblings: Molly, Elijah, Hannah anc Asher Luke
4-H Clubs: Velvet Ridge 4-H, White County Teen Leaders 4-H club
Club leaders: Krista Brimer and Amy Heck
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“I help run our family farm, Dixie Blossum. Our farm breeds and shows registered dairy goats, the majority of those being Nigerian dwarves, but we also raise Lamanchas, Alpines, recorded grades and Mini Manchas.
“My main responsibility on the farm is the care and milking of our goats. This includes milking them twice a day, seven days a week, usually beginning in January and ending after the state fair in October.
“Some of the uses of our extra goat milk are raising orphaned farm animals, such as calves or piglets. I also use goat milk to make homemade goat milk soap. I’ve been making soap for three years. I sell it at our local farmers market, along with bath salts, sugar scrubs and sunscreen.
“I have been actively involved in 4-H since I was 5 years old. My main 4-H project is dairy goats. My other projects are gardening and dairy cattle. My very first leadership roll in 4-H was being club secretary. This past year I was elected to be a state 4-H Officer.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture/living on a farm?
“The hands-on experience I gain working with my dairy goats daily. My absolute favorite thing to do is show our dairy goats. I’m very competitive and have lots of fun going in the show ring with our goats. I love all the opportunities opened up to me from traveling and showing in multiple states (Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee) and all over Arkansas. Having been homeschooled is great because it has allowed me numerous experiences to show, share my knowledge of dairy goats, make new friends, learn life’s lessons, priorities and sacrifice. If you don’t try you won’t succeed.”
What is your future plans?
“I plan on attending Arkansas State University to work on getting a degree in ag business. I hope to use that degree to further my involvement with agriculture and be able to grow my own farm.”
