Moxie Maker Acres

09/29/2026

From the office to a Football Game today Indee did amazing with it all! There was even another dog by us in the stands and she still listened and was well behaved. Why do we take a "farm" dog to different places you might ask, we want her to experience a lot of different things to accumulate her. We also want her to bond and listen to us before we put her with the livestock all the time. Other people might have different methods or beliefs and that's ok! Every farm is different, we have a lot of kids around so we want her used to the activities and the noise. She doesn't love the leash yet, but she had great manners all day!

09/20/2026

Every farm needs security, and everyone has their own methods We have used a LGD for the last 6 yrs, and it has worked beautifully for us. Time flies when you have things covered. Since it takes 2yrs to fully be able to trust the dog alone it was time to add young blood to the team. Meet Moxie Maker's newest protector. The name is still up for debate. Ben says Marge, Indy is Samantha's vote. Opinions everyone, which do you like better? She has been the sweetest thing so far!

09/20/2026

Samantha and Cora decided to dance the day away instead of cleaning pens. Good thing for Samantha's sake the pens will be there for her tomorrow to clean. 😜

07/29/2026

A few mom take aways so far from Fair week.
1. The saying "Ain't no tired like fair week tired." Needs a second part. "Ain't no hot like fair week HOT🔥"
2. If you have more animals in the ring than you can show yourself, don't panic there are several kids ringside and delighted to be asked to help. You might introduce someone to a future animal that they want to try showing on their own in the future.
3. Help your child to keep the joy in their projects and to remember their "why". Fair week is marathon ran at a sprint speed, especially when the weather tests the limits of the kids and the animals. When they do it because they want to not because they have to, it's the caffeine boost their system needs to keep pushing through.
4. As Parents we don't count the amount of caffeine it takes us to get through the week, it is as necessary as any other show supply.

The days are long but the years are short. It's not about the banners & the ribbons but the friendships and memories made. ❤️
The week isn't over yet, more fun to come! A Collage of Samantha's first 5yrs of 4H county fair.

07/21/2026

This is spot on. We want the experiences these kids have to be positive ones especially when they put themselves out there to try something new!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GZLHbMoAb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

If you want to find the biggest bullies at a county fair, don't look in the show ring.

Look in the stands.

I'm not talking about the kids. I'm talking about the adults.

Today I texted my friend to congratulate her on her family's success at their county fair. Her son earned Supreme Champion Heifer. She told me that immediately after his win, a woman walked up to him, looked him in the eye, and told him he didn't deserve it.

Think about that for a minute.

An adult. Speaking to a child. Trying to take away one of the biggest moments of his young life.

That makes my blood boil.

Let's be honest. Livestock judging has always been subjective. There isn't a single judge who has ever pleased everyone standing around the ring. That's part of showing livestock.

Telling a child they didn't deserve to win is not.

If you have a problem with the results, have that conversation with your spouse on the drive home. Talk to your friends over a hamburger after the show.

But leave the kids out of it.

One of the things I love most about 4-H is its pledge: “…My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, and My Health to better living….”

Choosing to tear down a young exhibitor doesn't demonstrate clearer thinking. It doesn't show greater loyalty to our youth. It isn't service. And it certainly doesn't help create the kind of positive environment 4-H works so hard to build.

So here's my challenge.

If you're an adult at a livestock show, act like one. The kids are watching every conversation, every Facebook post, every eye roll, and every comment you make under your breath. Whether we realize it or not, we're teaching them what sportsmanship looks like.

And if you feel the need to bully someone, at least pick on somebody your own age.

Actually, here's an even better idea.

Don't pick on anyone at all.

County fairs should be where kids build confidence, friendships, and memories they'll carry for the rest of their lives. Let's make sure the adults aren't the reason those memories are ruined.

07/04/2026

Public Service Announcement to Moxie Animals : Sunday Christopher leaves for a month. Samantha leaves Sunday for a week. My whisper to the goats is be nice to me PLEASE 🙏
Particularly Diva - one of the girls in milk. We don't love each other. And yes she has that name for a reason. But she is one of Samantha's favorites. Diva made sure to kid on July 1st just so we would have this bonding experience together 🤣 Samantha plans to show her when she gets home, on the 18th at the ADGA show in Spencer so no pressure to do a good job Mom.
Bottle Babies fair warning - Your Bottles could be delayed due to everyone else's behavior. Tell your friends to behave!
Picture is of Samantha and Diva last year in the ring. They have a special bond for sure!

07/04/2026

These babies are Secrets Grand Babies. Divinity is their mom. Even as a First Freshner she followed in the family foot steps. Silver is a buckling. Chocolate & white is doeling and she has a home in Eastern Iowa.

06/07/2026

Thank goodness you have friends to snuggle and be lazy with after a busy day of showing. The babies are worn out after being shown all day yesterday. Crazy is the only Sr. Doe we brought so she is the only one being shown today. I think animals and exhibitor will sleep all the way home!

04/25/2026

We got a couple pics of Roosters babies since there was a nice day in between the chill and the wind. The little girl likes to stay close to mom. The little buckling though he's a little bit more adventurous. But they do like to nap in the sun together.

04/18/2026

I was always told make a plan and God laughs. Goats laugh too at said plan apparently. The pressure change I am sure kicked my butt in addition; but 2 mamas decide to kid today as we are trying to leave for wrestling for the weekend. Now hopefully everyone got it out of their system until we return later on Sunday. Otherwise chore hand Colton is up. Goats please be kind to him so I can leave town again sometime 🤞In all the crazy I didn't take a pic of the cute babies but Rooster has a nice 2F Udder.