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Editor’s note: For about two years, Bill Hornung wrote Goat Tales, a weekly online column that combined personal anecdotes with stories about innovative organizations and individuals that make the world a better place. The column was put to rest in early 2003, but has now returned as an ongoing feature in Circle!

Everybody has a Goat Tale

by Bill Hornung

Scientific studies repeatedly find that people who have hobbies or special interests live significantly longer than, say, others who spend their free time watching Wife Swap. So, it's not a far stretch to assume your life is in immediate in danger if you actually appear in a reality show (uh oh, Jessica Simpson).

A massive reversal in the average life expectancy must be under way. At last count there are nearly 170 reality TV shows. Do the math.... the world is becoming one big reality show which means most of us will expire shortly.

Fortunately, I'm immune to this phenomenon because a special interest has consumed much of my intellectual free time. I study what is unquestionably the world's most important animal species.

I'm, of course, referring to goats.

Sure.... cows, horses, baby seals, whales, lions, the pink flamingo, eagles, flying squirrels, manatees, dogs, cats, armadillos and gerbils get more press. Admittedly, pretty much all other animals get a better rap than goats.

But that doesn't make goats any less important. My goat fascination is largely due to the fact that the caprine symbolizes all that is good in the world. In fact, the goat should be the official mascot for all people and groups that are trying to make the world a better place.

Think about it.... to make a difference requires a lot of goat-like qualities:

Work efficiently without regard to who receives credit. Goats can sustain themselves by living off the land — no special care is required. Few people realize there are more goats than cows in the world.... goats just quietly work away without a lot of celebrity.
Maintain a strong backbone: Goats are used as pack animals (pound for pound they can carry more than a horse or mule and climb steeper cliffs than a llama).
Determined. Goats are known to butt heads, if necessary, to get where they're going. And they don't mind being the "scapegoat" so long as their aim is true.
Remain versatile and be willing to adapt. Goats provide nutritional milk that is actually healthier than cow's milk. Cashmere comes from goat's wool. Goats act as surrogate mothers for baby sheep. And they are some of the best firefighters around because they can graze on extreme hillsides where humans and other animals fear to tread.
Work as a team. Goats stay naturally focused as herd with each looking at for the other. When they sleep, they do so in a circle to stand guard against predators.
And they're friendly. Why else are baby goats the most common petting zoo animal?

One organization that perfectly models the goat in every way is the 4-H. It's probably the only government-sponsored program that actually has raving fans. It's arguably the most successful after-school youth program that no one has ever heard of.

4-H is the country's largest out-of-school youth organization with more than 7 million members. It's more than 100 years old yet continues to be relevant even in these times when, apparently, revealing your boxer shorts is a fashion statement.

Many people visualize 4-H as a bunch of rural boys raising farm animals (goats included!) for the state fair. The truth is 4-H is made up of 53 percent girls and 47 percent boys. More city and suburban kids join 4-H than rural youth. And the racial profile of 4-H is a near perfect mirror of the general population.

Besides its mainstay agricultural programs, 4-H members are involved in communications, the arts, family sciences, health and personal development, science, technology and civic education.

4-H — Head, Heart, Hands and Health — has the simple goal of helping youth evolve into "contributing, productive and self-directed members of society." Now there's a goat description if I ever heard one.

Maybe the 4-H programs aren't as sexy as studying safe body-piercing practices... but the skills will last long after a nose ring infection clears up.

Hopefully, 4-H will remain a best-kept secret. My fear is Goat Kids In The City will be the next reality show.

For more information on 4-H, visit www.4husa.org or www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.

Watch for the Next Issue of Circle! on March 7