Agriculture &
Progress Industry SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 • ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE
Bethany Tennis and her family have raised goats for about 17 years — since Tennis’ older sister started with one goat in 4-H. The family farm now has around 25 goats, most of whom were pregnant mid-January. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE
Family tradition of livestock, life
SKILLS
PASSED H DOWN
In addition to Saanen goats — a breed of dairy goat most famously known for being all white in color, according to Tennis — the Tennis family also raises cattle and chickens.
Hayward resident has learned responsibility, leadership skills through 4-H involvement with her goats By Colleen Harrison
colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com
AYWARD — It’s a frigid and chickens. January day in southNo matter the weather or time of ern Minnesota. Free- year, the goats need to be fed properborn County has just ly and live in a place where they can had 10 inches of snow get shelter from outdoor elements. dumped on the area, and the wind They need to be kept in a clean enis howling, making vironment, have their deep snow drifts in hooves trimmed and the most inconvenient be de-wormed. And areas. when they’re getting Still, life goes on. ready to give birth Bethany Tennis — or kid, Tennis said goes out to tend to her — they need to be family’s goats — they watched over carehave about 25, most of fully, especially if whom are pregnant they’re giving birth and ready to give — Bethany Tennis in the middle of a cold birth any day now. Minnesota winter. Tennis has shown goats for years The goats don’t seem like too much through 4-H, something that has of a chore to Tennis, though. become almost a family tradition. “I like spending time and forming “I think of it kind of being passed a bond with the animals,” she said. on to me when my sister finished “Eventually, if you spend enough 4-H,” she said. time with them, they can become The livestock is a family effort, like dogs.” and the farm is also home to cattle See more photos on Page 7.
“I like spending time and forming a bond with the animals.”
WHAT’S INSIDE?
‘You find your niche’ FFA teacher has been teaching ag at United South Central for 28 years. Page 2
Farming through the years
Settling in to Albert Lea
If you build it, they will come
Local family looks back on 50 years of farming changes. Page 3
ALEDA’s new executive director comes to Minnesota from California. Page 4
Ellendale business installs stadium seating throughout the Midwest. Page 5