June 18, 1936 – Oct 19, 2019
October 2020 marks one year since the Kinder Goat Breeders Association lost one of our most influential and beloved members. Sue Huston of Bramble Patch Kinders began her journey with Kinder goats shortly after the breed was developed and quickly became a driving force in the breed’s growth and success. From the day she fell in love with Kinders to today, she touched the lives of many breeders and will be greatly missed.
Sue married the love of her life, Tommy Huston, in October of 1954. She was just 18 years old and had known him for less than a year, but they both knew it was meant to be. Sue and Tommy were right together. They raised a family of two sons (Mark and Mikel), a daughter (Tammy), and too many animals to count. They were still very much in love when Tommy passed 63 years later. In the last few years, Sue spoke fondly of seeing him again in heaven. Of all that Sue accomplished, she was most proud of her family and her goats. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and loved telling stories about them to whoever would listen. She loved talking goats!
Sue wanted goats since she was a child, but with the demands of work and family, she wasn’t able to make that dream come true until 1992. By then, her children were grown, and she had more time on her hands, so she started thinking about getting the goats she wanted so badly. That year, the Hustons went to a goat show where they saw an article in Small Farm Today about Kinder goats. They decided then and there that Kinders were the breed for them. Their journey began with a great deal of trial and error, but the Hustons eventually settled on a few strong Nubian lines and a single Pygmy buck to form the foundation of their herd. Bramble Patch Kinders was named for their farm business selling blackberries and raspberries to local customers, for which their little dual purpose goats served a third purpose clearing old bushes and creating mulch for the berry bushes. It was a match made in heaven.
Craig & Lisa Lamm, Sue, and Pat Showalter 2014 
Sue Huston & Lisa Lamm
One of the accomplishments Sue was most proud of was her contribution to bringing the Kinder goat to the Missouri State Fair. The other breed associations thought little of Kinder goats and argued that the barns were full, but the Hustons fought tirelessly and eventually they were allowed to exhibit. They brought the Kinder goat to a much bigger audience. The first year that the Hustons showed at the county fair, Harvey Considine judged the show. He agreed to help them improve their own herd while working with the Association nationally to create a goat that could hold its own in the goat world.
Through the years, Sue was a constant supporter of the Kinder goat and the Association. She volunteered on the KGBA board for years and was always quick to lend a hand or give advice to new breeders. She was constantly trying to help other Kinder owners in any way that she could – often allowing other breeders to use her bucks free of charge and giving goats to many children that wanted to show at the fair and start their own herds. Luckily, BPK genetics can be found in most of today’s herds, so the outstanding genetics that Sue worked so hard to achieve will continue to influence the Kinder goat for years to come.
Sue’s kindness and generosity have impacted so many – she will be dearly missed and remembered lovingly by all that had the good luck to know her. We love you, Sue!
