Saturday was Nate's and my 6th wedding anniversary! We sold our truck topper on Craig's list and then headed out to the
UConn Dairy Barn and then to
Bush Meadow Farm. Nate and I have always been interested in homesteading and since our friends Jenny and Jason are soon to start their
homestead, it has us thinking about that dream again. Nate has always wanted to have goats, and that is the one animal, besides ostrich, that we did not have on my small farm growing up. So with the intention of growing our education we visited the farm to explore their operations. They have a commercial kitchen where they serve food that they grew or raised themselves. We bought a half gallon of goat's milk, which is the best milk I've ever tasted. And the nutrition and health benefits of
goat vs. cow milk is no competition. They get more business than they can handle because of the growing awareness, especially by people with serious digestion issues. They gave us a free container of Garlic and Spinach feta cheese spread. It was amazing, store bought will never taste the same. Thanks Bush Meadow Farm! Support your local farmers!! They also cut all of their own firewood that supplies energy to their radiant floor heating and hot water throughout their buildings in the winter. They're also planning an ice cream operation soon. Checkout the pics of all the goats, the babies were so cute! The owners were super nice and offered us possible workamper positions for this winter. We have yet to discuss details, but I can't help but think that it would be a great opportunity for us. Not only will our restaurant experience and my forestry and Nate's carpentry skills be useful to them, but for them to teach us all about the goats and goat dairy and meat products would be invaluable to our future. We'll be praying about God's will for The Smocks Winter 2010!!
2 comments:
Speaking of milking goats...
I just bought this book on Amazon along with 12 others (will be posting a list soon).
**Living With Goats: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Backyard Herd by author Margaret Hathaway**
My friend, Chanda is in here first year of raising and kidding Nigerian Dwarf goats. It's been something we hope to have someday as well. This past Saturday, at the Dsm Farmer's Market, we talked to a couple who raise meat goats. I mentioned that my friend had told me that you cannot buy or sell goats' milk legally in Iowa. However, the couple from the farmers market said you can get around it if we purchased a milking goat and it lived on someone else's farm. Something about: Then they could sell it to us...nevermind, I'm fuzzy on the details, I guess. None-the-less, we just want enough for ourselves (in addition to our plentiful chicken and duck eggs, fresh honey, fruit trees and veggies).
Oh, and happy anniversary you two! This year's celebration won't be one you'll soon forget.
Ok, should have attached this...
http://livingwithgoats.com/wordpress/?page_id=2
It's the author's website. Maybe head up to Maine and pay them a visit. :o)
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