Christian Begeman

Magda Martinez with one of her show goats at an ABGA-sanctioned show in Tripp in August.

Prairie Sanctuaries 2022 Calendar: South Dakota is dotted with picturesque and historic country churches from one corner to the other. Christian Begeman has chosen his favorite twelve images for a new 2022 calendar. Look for it while supplies last at we sell are to commercial guys who want a better animal running through the sale barn. Our bucks are going to grow meat, they’re going to grow up fast, they’re going to grow up hard. So when they run those kids through the sale, even though they’re just going for meat consumption, they’re going to look better than anything going through the sale barn that day and make them more money. Our bucks are all home-raised; all of our does except maybe five are home-raised.” Like Roger Vanness did for Jen and her sisters, Tom and Jen now lease goats to local youth to use for summer 4-H projects. Tom said, “We give the kids the ability to show show-quality goats without having to make a big financial commitment.”

Just as nearly all of their goats are home-raised, that’s a point of pride on the horse side, too. “We’re proud that any horse I’ve ever shown, or roped off of or queened off of, or any horse our kids have shown off of, has been raised right here. They were bred, born and at least started on this farm, even if we sent them to a trainer for some special training. My kids and the kids we’ve worked with in 4-H go to the State Fair and we’re competitive. We’re going up there and placing in the top five.” Tom said, “We don’t make any money from the goat show held here. It all goes back to next year’s goat show. And we don’t make any money on the horse shows. But the thing is, if we don’t hold shows like these, who will?” Even though the horses are an expense which doesn’t generate a “gol’ dang dime,” he and Jennifer invest the money and the time because it’s “part of the value system for us.” Jen added, “It’s an experience and the life lessons we can give to our kids.”

A TEACHER AND A CATTLEMAN

When Jennifer is not volunteering for horse judging, goat shows, rodeo pageants or the Southeast South Dakota Horse Show Association – or