Why goats?
Vancouver Island is suitable for small, diverse farms or homesteads, and goats fit into this picture very well. Manageable on small acreages, from them we obtain milk, meat, and fibre. Goats are also great for 4-H projects, pack animals, and can make excellent companions for ourselves and other animals.
Goats have personality plus! To learn more about goats and the Vancouver Island Goat Association, click on the links at the top of the page.
Vancouver Island is suitable for small, diverse farms or homesteads, and goats fit into this picture very well. Manageable on small acreages, from them we obtain milk, meat, and fibre. Goats are also great for 4-H projects, pack animals, and can make excellent companions for ourselves and other animals.
Goats have personality plus! To learn more about goats and the Vancouver Island Goat Association, click on the links at the top of the page.
Who we are:
VIGA has members from all over Vancouver Island as well as some of the Gulf Islands. We are a diverse lot, and represent a cross section of the dairy, fibre, meat, and companion goat population.
We meet several times a year at the homes of members up and down the Island. Our regular meetings provide us with the opportunity to network with other goat owners, and we welcome everyone from the experienced breeders to newcomers who are looking to connect with others to learn more about goat care. Mentoring new goat owners is one of our priorities. We usually cover a specific topic at the meeting, often with a presentation and discussion on such topics as kidding, nutrition, etc.
The Vancouver Island Goat Association is incorporated under
the Society Act of British Columbia.
VIGA’s Mandate:
~ To increase public awareness of the value of goats and goat products in society;
~ To circulate information about breeds of goats and their care;
~ To encourage young people with their involvement in youth goat clubs (such as 4-H etc);
~ To promote and facilitate goat breed improvements.
We meet several times a year at the homes of members up and down the Island. Our regular meetings provide us with the opportunity to network with other goat owners, and we welcome everyone from the experienced breeders to newcomers who are looking to connect with others to learn more about goat care. Mentoring new goat owners is one of our priorities. We usually cover a specific topic at the meeting, often with a presentation and discussion on such topics as kidding, nutrition, etc.
The Vancouver Island Goat Association is incorporated under
the Society Act of British Columbia.
VIGA’s Mandate:
~ To increase public awareness of the value of goats and goat products in society;
~ To circulate information about breeds of goats and their care;
~ To encourage young people with their involvement in youth goat clubs (such as 4-H etc);
~ To promote and facilitate goat breed improvements.
|
President
Diana Owens Vice President Andrea Walker Secretary Vacant Treasurer Brin Jackson Directors at Large Jaki Ayton, Rebecca Dault, Angela Forster, Zoe Thorbergson, Rayman Vella, |
2024 MEETINGS All meetings are held on a Sunday and start at 11 a.m. February 25th: Old Bones Creak, Merville Educational Topic; kidding March 17th: Thorcrest Farm Nanoose Bay Educational Topic; FAMACHA testing April 21st: Blue Meadow Cottage Courtenay Educational Topic: kid care May 26th: Quail Grove Farm Duncan Educational Topic: clean milking and doe care June 23rd: Greenstone Farm, Cedar Artificial Insemination No meetings in July -Sept due to Show season October 27th: Gabriola Island Educational Topic: bucks and breeding, herd health November 17th: Duncan - VIGA AGM Education topic: cheesemaking education session no December meeting VIGA AGM: January 2025 TBD |
Vancouver Island Goat Association (VIGA) statement regarding RAW MILK
|
The Vancouver Island Goat Association (VIGA) does not condone the illegal sale of raw milk or raw milk products as Federal legislation prohibits the sale of raw milk in Canada. It is illegal for fluid milk or milk products to be sold in Canada unless they are supplied and sold by a licensed BC Dairy processor with a license to sell at farm gate and have been pasteurized. VIGA offers education on clean milking practices to support our members who milk their goats for their own consumption. This does not imply, in any way, that VIGA is encouraging the selling of raw milk to the public. Our organization cannot respond to questions from the public about where to purchase raw milk. Please refer to the Government of Canada website for more information. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/information-product/statement-about-drinking-milk.html
|
