SO... How did we decide we wanted our own herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats??? Well, we were really enjoying the chickens and coop we built and being able to share the experience with our four-year old, Emma.
So we started looking at what we could do to expand our little farm. A lot of farmers in SW Virginia raise cattle. We really don't have enough land for that venture. So, the next best thing? In our humble opinion, it was goats. BUT, what kind and how do you get started???
I started by attending a GOAT SEMINAR which was held at our local Tractor Supply Company last spring. Four farms from the area gave talks on the different breeds available, basic goat care, using/fencing requirements and the like. They also let us milk a goat, and try fresh milk, cheese, meat, and use their goat milk soap. It lasted half a day and only cost $5. The money was well spent and I was hooked! You'll probably find out that it's not hard to get hooked to these little wonders. My hubbie was on board (he's the best!) and very handy. So, now it was time to start doing my homework. I ordered books, read everything I could find on the internet, and began to figure out what I wanted to get from my herd.
So we started looking at what we could do to expand our little farm. A lot of farmers in SW Virginia raise cattle. We really don't have enough land for that venture. So, the next best thing? In our humble opinion, it was goats. BUT, what kind and how do you get started???
I started by attending a GOAT SEMINAR which was held at our local Tractor Supply Company last spring. Four farms from the area gave talks on the different breeds available, basic goat care, using/fencing requirements and the like. They also let us milk a goat, and try fresh milk, cheese, meat, and use their goat milk soap. It lasted half a day and only cost $5. The money was well spent and I was hooked! You'll probably find out that it's not hard to get hooked to these little wonders. My hubbie was on board (he's the best!) and very handy. So, now it was time to start doing my homework. I ordered books, read everything I could find on the internet, and began to figure out what I wanted to get from my herd.
THEN THERE WAS THE CHEESE...
I want to get the most from my goats and we LOVE cheese!! So, I registered for a two-day hands on cheese making seminar at STANDING STONE FARMS in Gallatin, TN. Paula was a fantastic instructor and we made cheese ALL weekend long! I was actually pretty sick of cheese by the end of that weekend. But I felt comfortable enough for the basics and had a good grasp on the methods used and
terminology. I now had all the equipment and ingredients too.
I regularly make fresh ricotta which Emma and I eat warm, straight from the spoon. I also make
mozzarella and feta pretty regularly. By the way, it's absolutely ridiculous how easy and fast it is to make goat's cheese (chevre) which I am so looking forward to once we start milking our girls.
Oh... and then there was Paula's Nubians. They had the sweetest disposition and loved attention and animal crackers for treats!! This was my first interaction with the goats up close. You know what they say... love at first sight! The only thing that I was hesitant about was their size. I know. We have one of the largest breeds of dogs you can own. But, I was really looking for a goat that Emma could interact with easily, even at four-years old. So... more research!
I would highly recommend you visit Paula's website: http://www.standingstonefarms.com. She has information about all her classes from the one I took, to one's a couple of hours long, and even one's where you make cheese with your children! She also sells cheese-making kits. Well worth your time.
I want to get the most from my goats and we LOVE cheese!! So, I registered for a two-day hands on cheese making seminar at STANDING STONE FARMS in Gallatin, TN. Paula was a fantastic instructor and we made cheese ALL weekend long! I was actually pretty sick of cheese by the end of that weekend. But I felt comfortable enough for the basics and had a good grasp on the methods used and
terminology. I now had all the equipment and ingredients too.
I regularly make fresh ricotta which Emma and I eat warm, straight from the spoon. I also make
mozzarella and feta pretty regularly. By the way, it's absolutely ridiculous how easy and fast it is to make goat's cheese (chevre) which I am so looking forward to once we start milking our girls.
Oh... and then there was Paula's Nubians. They had the sweetest disposition and loved attention and animal crackers for treats!! This was my first interaction with the goats up close. You know what they say... love at first sight! The only thing that I was hesitant about was their size. I know. We have one of the largest breeds of dogs you can own. But, I was really looking for a goat that Emma could interact with easily, even at four-years old. So... more research!
I would highly recommend you visit Paula's website: http://www.standingstonefarms.com. She has information about all her classes from the one I took, to one's a couple of hours long, and even one's where you make cheese with your children! She also sells cheese-making kits. Well worth your time.
WHAT ELSE WILL I BE ABLE TO DO WITH MY GOAT'S MILK, you ask????
Make soap of course. My next thing to figure out was how. You just have to LOVE YouTube, right??? Well, might I suggest SOAP QUEEN TV? Anne-Marie will walk you through the basics in step-by-step
videos. She covers safety of working with lye to include all the protective equipment you will need. She'll get you going teaching you soap-making basics, then step up to all the fun things you can do to
incorporate coloring techniques, scents, and additives to make your soap extra special and unique. She does this in a fun, entertaining atmosphere. Again, as with all things goatie...
ADDICTIVE!
Start your soaping adventure at http://www.soapqueen.tv/
Make soap of course. My next thing to figure out was how. You just have to LOVE YouTube, right??? Well, might I suggest SOAP QUEEN TV? Anne-Marie will walk you through the basics in step-by-step
videos. She covers safety of working with lye to include all the protective equipment you will need. She'll get you going teaching you soap-making basics, then step up to all the fun things you can do to
incorporate coloring techniques, scents, and additives to make your soap extra special and unique. She does this in a fun, entertaining atmosphere. Again, as with all things goatie...
ADDICTIVE!
Start your soaping adventure at http://www.soapqueen.tv/
“We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.” Ken Levine
So, how to choose what breed when there are so many wonderful ones to choose from???