Mark Baden

In 1982, Mark became a member of ADGA with his first registered dairy goat, a 50% Experimental (Alpine/Nubian) kid, one of his 4-H projects. Through the use of ADGA programs, he upgraded his herd into a competitive breeding program under the Olentangy herd name with several national titles. Over forty years later, every American Alpine doe in his herd traces its lineage back to that first 4-H doeling.
 
He earned his first ADGA judges license in 1992 and since then, Mark has judged numerous shows across the United States, Mexico, Canada and Australia. Next month, he will be a featured speaker & judge at the International Sheep & Goat Congress in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He achieved his judging tenure in 2009 as an ADGA Advanced Judge. In 2012 Mark was elected to the ADGA Board of Directors representing District VII and has since served two terms on the Executive Committee including 2022-2023 President & Interim CEO. He is currently a member of the Information Management and  Linear Appraisal committees. He is also a retired ADGA Linear Appraiser with ten years of tenure. His Olentangy herd is mainly comprised of Alpines along with one sentimental LaMancha. The herd enrolls in ADGA Plus and exhibits at many shows and fairs throughout the west each show season.
    
Mark is an alumnus of The Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Aviation and Criminology & Criminal Justice. He also earned his commercial pilot certificates and flew for The Ohio State Flight Team while an undergraduate. In 1999, Mark moved to the Pacific Northwest to begin his career as an air traffic controller at the Seattle EnRoute Air Traffic Control Facility. He was a Traffic Management Coordinator for the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring from Federal service in 2021.
 
“It’s a great honor to have been voted-in by the membership for an eighth time to judge at the ADGA National Show. It’s especially exciting to return to West Springfield where I judged my first National Championship in 2011. The National Show week is still as exciting as ever whether you are a spectator, exhibitor, or judge. I know how much sacrifice, work and effort is required of exhibitors to make the trip and share with them this great passion to showcase our dairy goats to fellow breeders as well as to the public. I hope that everyone will take advantage of this unique opportunity of being surrounded by hundreds of dairy goat enthusiasts to network and make new friends. Wishing you all safe travels and a rewarding week!”