The Intermountain cold presents several challenges for Loveland during his kidding season. The snow and mud aren’t ideal, but Loveland is very attentive to the needs of his goats. He spends hours checking on his herd and ensuring each goat and the new kids stay healthy. After tromping through mud and snow, Loveland’s favorite way to warm up is with a steaming bowl of his mom’s Tasty Tortellini Soup.
"You’re outside and it's wet and muddy and then you come inside and the soup's just nice and warm and really filling.” –Gage Loveland
Learn more about Gage's goat business and journey as an IFA Young Producer >>
Ingredients:
- 1 pound peeled, chopped sweet potatoes (about 2-3 medium)
- 1 pound peeled, chopped Yukon gold or or yellow potatoes (same quantity as sweet potatoes)
- 3 cups chicken broth (you can use low sodium)
- 1/2 T dried parsley
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pound of cooked and crumbled sausage
- 9-12 oz of cheese tortellini
- 2 cups half and half
- Spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Add the potatoes, chicken broth, parsley, and garlic to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the potatoes are tender.
2. Leave the potatoes in chunks or lightly mash until slightly chunky in the slow cooker.
3. Stir in cooked sausage, tortellini, half and half, and spinach. Cook on high for 20-30 mins until the tortellini is tender. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper and serve. The soup will thicken slightly as it cools.
Show Business: Loveland Goats Take on the Show Ring
Gage Loveland is the 15-year-old owner and manager of Legendary Uintah Boer Goats where he raises goats certified by the American Boer Goat Association.
When Loveland started his goat herd, his primary motivation was being able to raise goats to show at local fairs. He figured that raising his own goats could eliminate the expense of purchasing show animals.
Homegrown Success
In Loveland’s first year showing goats, he placed third to fourth in his class. “We didn't make it very far,” Loveland says. “But over the years we've been getting higher and higher.”
Loveland and his homegrown goats consistently make it to the Grand Drive, a testament to his careful breeding and selection within his herd.
“It makes me really excited that I can improve my genetics and I can say ‘Yes that kid beat me, but he probably bought his goat from someone who's been breeding goats for a long time’,” Loveland says.
Loveland puts in hours of work with his goats as a breeder and showman. He takes great pride in knowing that the goats he shows are the result of his hard work. “I get to know that I put in the work to get that goat here,” Loveland says. “I paired the doe with the buck and was there with that kid the whole time.”
Besides finding success on the market side, Loveland is at the top of his class for goat showmanship. In 2022 Loveland won the title of Grand Showman for the Weber County Fair and he wears his buckle proudly.
“I put in a lot of work into learning how to show them correctly,” Loveland says. “You can have a really nice goat but knowing how to show it is just as important.
Just Kidding: Caring for the Newest Loveland Goats
Caring for animals is second nature for Loveland. He takes the time to ensure each goat, horse, and cow on the farm is well-fed and healthy even when the Intermountain weather is not ideal.
Making sure his goats sink up and kid around the Christmas season is ideal for Loveland. He says having the new goats born during this time gives them time to grow before the show season. Plus, it’s a convenient time for Loveland to keep an eye on his does without missing school.
Kidding season is a lot of work for Loveland, but it is also a critical time for his business. Each new generation of goats ensures that Loveland can continue to build his herd, improve his genetics, and grow his Legendary Uintah Boer Goat brand.
Meet another farming family and discover how the Andersons are raising crops and kids >>
Written by Mikyla Bagley and originally published in the IFA Cooperator magazine (vol. 90, no. 4) Winter 2024.