‘Udder Joy.’ How a herd of dairy goats helped this Palmetto woman teach hundreds of kids
Over the course of more than three decades, Judy Anderson has become an acknowledged expert on dairy goats, and taught hundreds of children the value of hard work and responsibility.
She’s done it without fanfare, and without any motive other than the love of children and dairy goats.
For her impact on so many lives, Anderson, 74, has been named this year’s Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee, a highlight of the annual Manatee County Farm-City Week.
“I don’t know how that can be?” Anderson said, when she learned she had been selected for the hall of fame. “I have never considered myself an agriculturist.”
Yet, that’s what the teacher and 4-H Club leader has become in helping so many children prepare for the goat show at the Manatee County Fair.
“She has been my mentor, and a mentor for my children and my grandchildren. I am so happy for her for all she has done all these years for the community and for the children,” a neighbor, Beth Xavier, said.
Anderson is a graduate of Palmetto High School and the University of South Florida and lives north of Palmetto with her husband Jim Anderson, and her herd of about 50 goats. The Andersons have two grown sons, Eddie and Marty, and a granddaughter, Ruth.
When her sons were young, the family was looking for a fair project, and settled on raising goats, rather than other animals such as steers or hogs, which typically end up in a freezer after the fair. Dairy goats go on to a career as milk producers.
“That goat did a really good job of raising the boys,” Anderson said. “They learned that there was a schedule that needed to be kept, and they had chores they had to do.”
Anderson is the founder and leader of the Udder Joy Goat Club where for the past 30 years she has welcomed 4-H and FFA members into her home and barn to assist with agriculture projects.
She also runs a goat dairy operation where she has donated milk to wildlife rescues to aid abandoned newborn animals. Her goat herd has won numerous awards for high-quality does and bucks.
“I started with nine children, and we have grown that to about 30 in the club,” Anderson said.
From grooming for the fair or sanitation for milking goats, Anderson teaches through hands-on experience.
Although she might not consider it a chore, Anderson handles the daily milking for her herd at 4 a.m., seven days a week.
“It’s something that she really enjoys doing. It’s calming, it relaxes her,” said Jim, her husband of 50 years. “The goats, all of which are named, just about become your children.
“Judy is the one that veterinary offices, the extension office, and anyone interested in goats call when they have a question.”
Trained as a teacher, Anderson taught at Oneco and Samoset elementary schools. After leaving the public school system, she was one of the advocates of the home school educational movement.
An active member of Ellenton Gillette Baptist Church, she not only has she served as a 4-H leader, but as a surrogate mother to area children, provided a safe haven of learning to many and a role model for all.
The Hall of Fame Luncheon, where Anderson will be inducted into the Manatee County Agricultural Museum Hall of Fame, will be at noon Nov. 10 at Kendrick Auditorium, Manatee County Extension Service, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto.
Limited seating is available. For a reservation, call Jordan Chancey at 941-545-8816 or email PalmettoFCW@yahoo.com. Masks are required in the food serving line, and recommended when not eating.
Other Farm-City week events
- Nov. 8 -Soil Speech Contest
- Nov. 13 - Saturday Bradenton Farmers Market
- Nov. 16 - Outstanding Agriculturist presentation at the Bradenton Kiwanis Luncheon
- Nov. 17 - Leadership Manatee Tour
- Nov. 18 - Ag Venture
- Nov. 19 - Farm Tour
- Nov. 20 - Prospect Show
