Jaci Falkenstein, was born into this industry. From day one she has been learning the ropes of not only showing but raising goats. Jaci has been very blessed to have had so many incredible wins. She has been an amazing influence to so many young showmen-showing each and everyone of them how to win with grace and give all the glory to God.

“I always joke that I was born in the barn, and it’s somewhat true. Just a week after I was born

I was at my first goat show.”

Jaci started in this industry from day one. Both of Jaci’s parents showed cattle and hogs on a local level as did her older siblings.

“My brother likes to use the saying, “We walked so she could run.” They were a part of the industry learning the lessons and making the mistakes any beginning showman made. They made the phone calls and got the right people in our corner to help me achieve the goals I’ve now

set.”

The family by Jaci’s side are the reason for all of her success. From the first phone call too all of them cheering for her ringside. Jaci knows nothing happened overnight and everything happened because of them.

“I believe it’s important to note I didn’t wake up one day and magically have the ability to have two goats in the top five at a National Show. No, it was the lessons my family and myself were able to learn fifteen or more years before. It was calling people that we trusted and knew had more knowledge than us, and asking for help.”

 “We live in a world of isolation and believing we have to do everything by ourselves, but that’s simply not true especially in this industry. Call the industry leaders or the people you want to

imitate, ask them the questions no matter how small or dumb they may seem to you, and

listen to what they tell you.”

For Jaci the ring is her favorite place. It’s the place she feels most like herself. 

“For me, the show ring is my happy place. It’s the place where I can let my guard down and be completely and wholeheartedly myself.”

 “These people are my type of people they think

similarly and aren’t gonna judge when I spend more time in the barn with my goats than I

do my friends”

Jaci values the people in the industry. “They are the type of people that have the same competitive nature but will still help anybody that needs it.”

The impact the ring has had on Jaci has been huge. She has learned so many amazing things from learning how to trust God’s plan to learning that it’s not just about the animal but the lessons that you learn.

“The show ring has taught me how to put my absolute all into something and then put the final result in God’s hands. It’s taught me how to win and lose gracefully; how to work hard and be a part of something bigger than myself. This

may be an individual sport, but it is about so much more. It’s not about parading an

animal around the ring but about teaching the world about agriculture, raising the next

generation of producers, and being a crucial future leader in the livestock industry.”

Jaci wants to make a difference by showing the glory of God. Through everything she has done God has had a hand in it all.  

“I hope to make a difference by showing the glory of God. The show industry has become

my ministry. The animals, gifts, and talents I have been blessed with are from God, and I am meant to use them to exalt His name and bring more people to Him. Everytime, I go into the showring I say a short prayer over my own abilities and the animal I’m about to show.”

“Remember that although God wants and expects me to work hard as if working for Him, it is only through His mercy and grace that success happens in the show ring. That same mercy and grace are what give me my salvation through Christ Jesus. We are here to care for His creation and this industry gives us a means to come

together and encourage and push each other.”

For Jaci NAILE will always be the famous green chips. But the ultimate goal at any show will be to win. The small goals however are to always be remembered.

“For me, NAILE will always be stepping out on the famous greenchips, the purplely/blue

banner with the blocky yellow letters, and spending precious time with friends that have

become family. You can’t forget the mad dash for space (IYKYK). The ultimate goal for any show I go to is to win. However, there are always small goals built in as well.”

“Goals to be better than I was the time before, always be competitive, show people the light of the Lord, and encourage the next generation of showmen to put the work in to reach their goals.”

She prepared for NAILE just like every other show. From putting in the time at home. To figuring out each and every goat.

“ I’ve spent hours with each of the wethers to find each of their unique quirks and find the best way to show each one of them. As a breeder myself, I know how hard it is to make good livestock. I am thankful for the breeders of these wethers and their support and belief in me. I owe it to them to put in the time and effort to present each

animal at its highest level.”

“In the world we live in, hard work is a forgotten agenda. Everyone is talented in some manner and many people have the resources to help them reach the top, but when we work hard and work smart. We can not be stopped. There will always be people in your life that tells you, “You aren’t good enough” or “You can’t do it,” but I encourage you to keep trying. Make hard work and persevere with your best friends in life. Keep working and putting in the time at home when no one is watching, because while the awards may be given out at the shows the win comes at home. They come from the hours upon hours spent working hair or working with the animals creating discipline and responsibility -life lessons. It comes when you secure every detail at home and when you’re striving for perfection. No human being is perfect, but when you are working towards perfection by focusing on every small detail, we can reach heights we only dreamed of in life. So I leave you with this:

“Work hard when no one is watching, be the person you want others

to look up to, and keep pushing even through the hardest trials.”