Our History

The Hill Country Sheep and Goat Organization is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA) and organized to help in the promotion of the sheep and goat industry.

The first meeting of this organization was held on a day in April 1949 at the ranch home of Lillian and Felix Real, Jr.  A yard meeting was planned, but due to rain, the meeting moved to the garage.  The organization’s first president was Lorene Cowden.

The chapter’s membership of about 75 women stemmed from the half dozen Hill Country counties that form the nucleus of the sheep and goat ranching business.  As members have always been from different counties, it has been the practice to have officers represent different communities and the quarterly meetings have rotated between different towns.

The chapter has not only cooperated with the state auxiliary program but has also been active in various projects.  The organization has sponsored “Make It Yourself With Wool” contests, placed mohair draperies in the Butt-Holdsworth Library, contributed to renovation projects at the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ building in San Angelo as well as placing an Olive Vandruff painting of sheep and goats in the Memorial Hall of the same building.

Since the early 1970s, the organization has sponsored style shows featuring wool and mohair fashions to support projects.  In recent years, the fashion shows have been held in the Live Oak Ballroom of the YO Ranch Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville.  Also, in recent years, the organization has funded scholarships to high school seniors and college students from the Hill Country Area.

The organization’s main goal is always to promote wool, mohair, and agribusiness.