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The Pay-It-Forward 4-H Dairy Goat Scholarship Program is designed to give passionate 4-H and FFA youth the opportunity to raise and show registered dairy goats while fostering mentorship, responsibility, and a spirit of giving back.

Recipients of this scholarship will receive a registered female dairy goat to begin their 4-H project. In return, they agree to pay it forward by donating the doe’s first female offspring to another new 4-H member, ensuring the cycle of mentorship and opportunity continues. After this, the recipient will own their doe and all subsequent offspring outright.

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Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Pay-It-Forward 4-H Dairy Goat Scholarship, applicants must:

✅ Be an active 4-H or FFA member in good standing.
✅ Be between the ages of 8 and 18.
✅ Have a 4-H or FFA leader sign off as a mentor.
✅ Have at least one additional goat-keeping mentor willing to provide guidance.
✅ Demonstrate the ability to properly house and care for a dairy goat.
✅ Sign a commitment agreement to pay it forward by donating the first female kid produced by their scholarship doe to another approved 4-H recipient.

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What the Recipient Will Receive

🎉 A registered female dairy goat from high-quality genetics.
🎉 A mentor network, including their 4-H/FFA leader and an experienced goat keeper.
🎉 Education on feeding, milking, showing, and record-keeping.
🎉 Support with preparing for and participating in dairy goat shows.
🎉 A hands-on learning experience in responsibility, breeding, and animal husbandry.

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Program Rules & Expectations

📌 The recipient is responsible for feeding, housing, and veterinary care for the goat.
📌 The doe must be bred within two years to a registered buck of the same breed.
📌 The first doeling born must be donated to another approved 4-H member.
📌 The recipient agrees to maintain records on the doe’s health, milk production (if applicable), and offspring.
📌 If the recipient cannot continue to care for the goat, they must notify the program coordinator and return the doe or rehome her responsibly.
📌 Scholarship recipients will provide periodic updates on their project’s progress.

📌 The recipient agrees to enter their dairy goat in the RGVLS show in  March 2026 through their 4-H or FFA chapter.

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Application Process

✏️ Fill out the Pay-It-Forward 4-H Dairy Goat Scholarship Application.
✏️ Obtain signatures from a 4-H/FFA leader and a goat-keeping mentor.
✏️ Submit a short essay or video explaining why you want to raise and show dairy goats.
✏️ Applications will be reviewed, and selected recipients will be matched with a suitable dairy goat.

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Why This Program Matters

This scholarship is more than just receiving a goat—it’s about mentorship, education, and building a lasting agricultural community. The pay-it-forward model ensures that new youth have the same opportunity year after year, keeping the tradition of dairy goat husbandry alive and thriving in 4-H.

🐐 Are you ready to start your 4-H dairy goat journey? Apply today and take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding experience!