When asked about future economic development in the state, a sage woman administrator remarked, "the sun rises in eastern North Carolina". In a state known for "high-tech", "bio-tech", and "tech-prep", the North Carolina farmer, with feet planted firmly in the soil, raises eyes to the horizon for future trends, and then puts calloused hands to the task of "making it happen". The innovative nature of these individuals, coupled with "horse-sense savvy", has historically founded the first state university, pioneered integrated poultry and pork production and developed value-added food products of international reputation. The results of these ventures catapulted North Carolina from simple "farming" to agri-business leadership.

And so it goes as attention is now turned to the meat goat. Is it any wonder then that a "grass-roots" movement to develop meat goat enterprises has taken off? After all a great deal more goat meat would be consumed if it were available, albeit at prices affordable to ethnic consumers. The problem is not in matching supply with demand. The problem lies with inefficient production and an inept marketing system.

Farmers and ranchers in the southeastern U.S. are searching for new sources of farm income and ways to diversify their operations, develop sound and cost effective environmental practices, and enable survival in a global economy. They are uniquely equipped to meet the short falls of the meat goat industry by nearness to markets and an abundance of feed supplies.

This handbook on meat goat production and marketing emanates from a grant from the North Carolina Development Center to the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments, Fayetteville, Roger Sheats, Executive Director. The grant provided monies for a Feasibility Study on Goat Meat Production in North Carolina under the leadership of Ms. Sharon Valentine.

The major objectives of this study were:

1. Characterization of the current meat goat industry in North Carolina and assessment of potential for expansion.
2. Characterization of the North Carolina and United States markets for slaughter goats.
3. Examination of the possibility of establishing a state or regional meat goat producers association.
4. Planning and implementation of statewide conferences to provide participants information on prospective returns from meat goat enterprises.
5. Development and publication of a Handbook to provide technical information on goat production and marketing and guidelines for enterprise budgeting and planning.

No single Handbook on meat goat production and marketing is ever fully comprehensive nor does it remain current very long. However, within the limitations of budgetary, time, and data constraints, we feel this Handbook will be of much value to present and prospective producers and marketers of meat goats.

This Handbook could not have been written without generous contributions from a number of experts, with whom it has been my very special privilege to come to know and appreciate. Of special note is Dr. Frank Pinkerton, a.k.a. "the goat man" and long time observer of the meat goat industry. He is the editor-in-chief of this effort and has freely shared his expertise, his time and his humor as he compiled this Handbook.

Special thanks also to Dr. Lynn Harwell, (Clemson University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist); Dr. Jim Green, Dr. Paul Mueller, and Dr. Matt Poore, (N.C. State University's Forage and Small Ruminants professors), who knew what was happening "out there", enthusiastically responded with countless hours of unsung, unpaid, extra work, and hundreds of phone calls. Their sustained and cheerful assistance has literally put the meat goat industry "on the ground" in North Carolina.

I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge our "entrepreneurial bureaucrats": Rural Economic Development's Billy Ray Hall and Dr. Ed Bishop as well as Mid-Carolina Council of Governments' Roger Sheats. Neither have let "red tape" choke entrepreneurial dreams and creative rural ventures.

Last, but not least, a special thank you to my husband, Steve Quinn, who is my technical advisor and who, frequently (but usually gently) reminds me of the one who does the "real work" around here.