Goat events at fair honor Emma Rath
By RICKEY ROBERTS
Marion County Extension Agent
I suppose during a county fair many stories can emerge, but maybe none are quite as touching as the Emma Rath story.
Marion County has a number of outstanding 4-H projects and clubs. One of our best is the Goessel Goal Getters dairy goat project. Led by Jennifer Stultz, this is a particularly close-knit club, which has endured its share of tragedy. It was just over a year ago that Lucinda Goosen, a longtime club member and leader, was killed in an accident. Two accidents in two years is a lot, especially a small 4-H club.
Emma Rath was a 12-year-old sixth grader at Goessel Elementary, and a third year 4-H member. Last April, she and her mother were killed in a car accident. By all accounts, Emma's love in the goat project was the market goat. Emma and her mother purchased this year's market goat after a youth goat field day near Lecompton. She named this Nubian wether Butterscotch.
The trip home after that auction was interesting, to say the least, as the goat was transported in the back of the family station wagon.
Emma was not nearly as concerned about competing as she was having fun. In response to this accident all the members of the Goessel Goat Club pitched in to help finish raising Butterscotch so Emma's twin brother could exhibit him at the fair.
During the goat show we wanted to remember Emma, and decided the most fitting would be a goat race. Remember, Emma was about fun. I have never seen a goat race before, but this was something Emma would have enjoyed. Now, for the rest of the story.
As another way to honor Emma, the 4-H club wanted to include Emma's project in the premium sale, with all the proceeds going to the Emma Rath Memorial Scholarship fund. On Friday evening when it was Emma's turn in the sale, her story was told. All that know me would agree that I am long-winded, but the response during and after the sale has left me speechless. Over $2,400 was donated.
That list of donors is included in this week's ad thanking all of our premium sale buyers. Roger Heibert auctioned the sale that night, and I can't think of a better way to say it than he did at that moment, "this is one of those times when we are proud to call Marion County home."
I guess this wasn't just Emma's night; this was a night for all of Marion County.
