07/05/2026
We arrived home yesterday afternoon after attending the ADGA National Show in West Springfield, MA. After some number crunching, I realized this was my 37th ADGA National Show - most of those have been as an exhibitor, (31) although I have attended to watch (3)and judge (3) as well. Not sure if 37 makes me old because I like to consider myself seasoned - a seasoned national show goer!
Our does had an incredibly successful show (more information to come about placings), but we were humbled by the awards we received. Premier Exhibitor, Premier Breeder, and Premier Sire in the Alpine breed. We placed three does in the championship lineup and six does in the best udder lineup including the incredible GCH McCann Farm Fancy at the youthfull age of eleven
It was especially gratifying to win Premier Breeder in the Sable breed as well. This spring, I made the difficult decision to disperse the sables to focus on just the Alpines and reduce my workload. Our sable breeding program was still on display with the numerous people who showed animals they purchased from us. Special thanks to Heidi Benson and Jason Benson for their expert care of the does and for getting them to the ADGA National Show. We were proud also of selling our final Sable in the National Spotlight Sale. Thanks to Stacey Hamlin for her purchase of Vesuvius. Also, thanks to Colin Devlin as well for his care and showing of Triviah and Siesta.
It takes a village and I want to highlight the village who added to our success. First, I want to thank Maggie Metzen who helped to care for the animals. She worked hard and was so helpful in managing the does when I had other responsibilities early in the week. To Megan Winkelman and Tammy Winkelman, thanks for being another set of hands to help with washing, walking, and filling buckets throughout the week. Special thanks to Frankie Jones for his expert fitting and handling of the animals. He made prepping animals at 2:00 AM seem fun! He also showed the first place milking yearling (Temptress) and first place four year old (Prestige) to perfection. And of course, I must thank Cameron Jodlowski and Katherine Jodlowski for all their support - handling animals and prepping them at the highest level. Congratulations to them as well for all their successes at the show including Maple's big win!
I also want to thank Thanh AndLiz Duong, Belle and Winnie, and Audrey Greenwood for being wonderful neighbors. It is not easy penning next to the Jodlowski's, but you seemed to take our disfuction in stride. It is amazing to be penned next to a family whose passion for dairy goats is second to none!
Finally, I must thank my wife Colleen Luttrell Jodlowski for holding down the fort at home and taking care of the bucks. Your support in my goat project is truly appreciated and I love you for the help you give me even though I know it is not your favorite thing to do sometimes.
Thanks to the judges, the ADGA staff, other exhibitors, committee members and especially Laura Niemann Warren-Hughes for a successful show.
Again, more information about our placings to come - we are putting the finishing touches on our fall breeding plans and watch for anouncements about updates on our website so we can place more Kickapoo-Valley animals in new herds in the future.
