For the Love of Goats

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-packing-and-public-lands/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Chris Gifford, president of the North American Packgoat Association (NAPgA), to talk about the growing challenges that pack goat owners face when it comes to accessing public lands.Chris explains what goat packing is, how it works, and why goats make excellent trail companions. He also shares the history of NAPgA and its advocacy efforts to keep public lands open to pack goat users in the face of increasing restrictions—most of which stem from unproven concerns about disease transmission between goats and wild bighorn sheep.If you’ve ever wanted to take your goats hiking or are curious about the barriers pack goat users face, this episode offers both inspiration and insight into an issue that affects animal lovers, hikers, and land use advocates alike.What You’ll Learn:What goat packing is and how it works on the trailHow Chris got involved in goat packing and NAPgAWhy some public lands are closed to pack goats—and what the science does not sayHow to find out if a specific public land is open to pack goat useWhat NAPgA is doing to protect access to public landsThe differences between pack goats and domestic sheep, and why that mattersWhere goat packing as a sport is headed in the futureResources Mentioned:North American Packgoat Association (NAPgA)NAPgA Facebook PageMycoplasma In Goats - podcast episodeThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/packing-with-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIf you're considering adding pack goating to your goats’ resumes, this episode is packed with practical tips and essential insights. Deborah Niemann chats with Nathan Putnam, a board member of the North American Pack Goat Association and owner of Putnam Pack Goats. Together, they dive into the world of pack goats, from choosing the right goats to the gear you'll need for your trips.In this episode, you’ll learn:The history of pack goating and how it started in the 1970s.Why pack goats are a growing alternative to horses and llamas for backcountry hiking and camping.What to look for in a goat for packing: from breed preferences to physical traits and characteristics.The age at which to start training your goats and how to gradually increase their load capacity.Essential gear for pack goating, including saddles, panniers, and leads.How to train adult goats, even those already in your herd, to become pack goats.What to expect on a typical pack goating trip: daily routines, feeding, and water strategies.Dealing with predators and other considerations when hiking with goats in the backcountry.Whether you’re looking to start pack goating or just want to learn more about it, this episode offers valuable advice and inspiration. Nathan shares his experience and knowledge, making it easier than ever to embark on your own pack goat adventure.Resources:North American Pack Goat Association (NAPgA)Putnam Pack GoatsIf you’ve ever thought about earning an income with goats, check out our list of goat business ideas to spark your own inspiration.Thanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/turning-goat-milk-into-pet-food/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to legally sell raw goat milk or farm-made pet treats, this episode is full of first-hand insight and practical tips. Deborah sits down with Carly Brown and Shawn Phillips of The Good Steward Farm in Virginia, where their herd of 28 goats helps power two small businesses: goat-powered landscaping and licensed raw milk pet products.Carly and Shawn walk us through the behind-the-scenes process of getting a pet feed license, working with state inspectors, completing nutritional testing, and creating professional packaging that customers trust—all while reducing waste and adding value to every part of the farm.In this episode, you’ll learn how Carly and Shawn:Navigated labeling laws and testing requirements to sell raw milk legally as pet foodTurned their freeze dryer into a profit-making machine for chicken heads and yogurt treatsWorked with state officials to get label approvals and avoid regulatory pitfallsDeveloped packaging that instantly improved product appeal and salesBalanced their goat business with full-time jobs and a multi-herd setupMaintained transparency and integrity while planning for future human-grade dairy salesWhether you're exploring a goat-based business, interested in pet food production, or just love hearing what’s possible with a little grit and goat love, this episode is sure to inspire.Thanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/farm-volunteer-program/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Anne Petersen of Rosasharn Farm—one of the longest-standing Nigerian Dwarf breeders in the U.S.—to talk about her farm's long-running and highly successful volunteer program. What began as hosting a foreign exchange student over two decades ago has evolved into a dynamic educational experience that has inspired many former volunteers to start their own farms and even veterinary careers.Anne shares how her program organically developed through her involvement in 4-H, homeschooling, and local agricultural organizations. She emphasizes that the key to a successful volunteer program is education, not free labor, and dives into how she models tasks and responsibilities for volunteers of all ages.Whether you're thinking of starting a volunteer program or just love hearing about farm-based community building, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and practical advice in this thoughtful and experience-rich conversation.What You’ll Learn:How Anne’s volunteer program started and evolved over 40+ yearsWhy education is at the heart of her farm’s volunteer experienceThe importance of modeling and working with your volunteersLessons learned from early challenges, including personality mismatchesWhy understanding a volunteer’s intentions and mindset is criticalHow former volunteers have launched their own farms and careersAdvice for farmers considering starting their own volunteer programResources Mentioned:Rosasharn FarmSoutheastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)4-H Youth ProgramsLocal Young Farmer NetworksThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-wisdom/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionWhat do you get when two city guys buy a goat farm during the Great Recession? A global skincare brand built on goat milk—and timeless wisdom.In this inspiring episode, Deborah talks with Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, the founders of Beekman 1802, about how they went from weekend farmers to building a multi-million-dollar business using lessons learned from goats, neighbors, and small-town living.🧼 From making goat cheese and soap📚 To releasing their new book G.O.A.T. Wisdom: How to Build a Truly Great Business with Harvard Business Review💡 They share actionable insights for homesteaders, small business owners, and anyone dreaming of turning their passion into a meaningful business.You’ll hear about:How goats (and a neighbor’s kindness) saved their farmWhy they started with goat milk soap and what they learned along the wayThe importance of not doing everything yourself, and focusing on what you bring to the tableThe power of treating customers as “neighbors”Lessons in marketing, scaling, and community-buildingAnd how to convert everyday wisdom into entrepreneurial successResources Mentioned:G.O.A.T. Wisdom: How to Build a Truly Great Business Buy on AmazonBuy on BookshopThe Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers Buy on AmazonBuy on BookshopConnect with the Beekman BoysBeekman 1802 WebsiteJosh & Brent on InstagramBeekman 1802 Boys on FacebookThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/call-the-vet-now/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Description Most goat owners have faced a moment of uncertainty—staring at a sick goat and wondering, “Should I call the vet?” In this solo episode, Deborah Niemann lays out the answer with clarity and urgency.While goats are often thought of as hardy animals, they are also prey animals that instinctively hide illness until they’re critically sick. This episode covers the top emergency symptoms that signal you need to stop Googling, skip the Facebook group, and call a veterinarian immediately.Drawing from decades of goat-keeping experience and real-life stories (including her own hard lessons), Deborah walks through what serious symptoms look like, what they might mean, and why waiting too long can cost your goat its life. She also explains when supportive care at home can help while you wait for the vet to arrive—and when it can’t.What you’ll learn:The most common and overlooked emergency signs in goatsWhy not eating or drinking is a major red flag, not a minor issueHow to identify true bloat (ruminal tympany) versus hay bellyThe meaning behind a goat screaming, grinding teeth, or lying down and not standingThe difference between ruminal and abomasal bloat—and why it mattersSigns of neurological distress, including circling, blindness, and seizuresWhy urinary blockage is a life-threatening emergency in wethersHow to tell the difference between pooping and peeing behaviorThe dangers of bloody or rusty urine, and when it could signal copper toxicityWhy Pepto Bismol is not a real treatment for diarrhea in kidsWhat a goat’s fever (or low body temp) may indicate—and what to doRecognizing tetanus symptoms before it’s too lateThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/loss-of-a-beloved-goat-or-pet/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Description Losing a beloved animal—whether a goat, dog, cat, or any other companion—can be absolutely heartbreaking. In this episode of For the Love of Goats, I’m joined by Beth Bigler, a double-certified Pet Loss Grief Counselor, animal companion end-of-life doula, and trained pet chaplain. Beth is also the author of the upcoming book Honoring Our Animals: 365 Meditations for Healing After Pet Loss (out June 3 from Quarto Books), and the creator of the popular Instagram account @honoringouranimals.Together, we discuss how grief over losing an animal is real, valid, and deserving of support. Beth shares insights from her years of working with grieving pet owners, veterinary professionals, and animal care workers—and how we can start to heal after a loss. Whether you’re currently grieving or want to better support someone who is, this conversation is filled with compassion, honesty, and practical tools for navigating this tender experience. 🐐  🐐  🐐 See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/loss-of-a-beloved-goat-or-pet/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ForTheLoveOfGoats.comWant to support the content you love?Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jarThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/from-lab-coat-to-cheesecloth/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! What happens when a medical career ends—but a passion for something totally different begins? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kandice Marchant, a retired physician who traded her lab coat for a cheesecloth. After years of serving patients, Kandice now crafts artisan cheese, bringing a scientist’s precision and a cheesemaker’s creativity to every batch.We talk about:How her medical background turned her on to cheesemakingWhat sparked her interest in artisan cheese to begin withCreating her own signature cheeses Opening a retail shopWhy it's never too late to start a second actIf you’ve ever dreamed of changing careers, getting into cheesemaking, or just love hearing from people who follow their passion—you’ll love this episode.See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/from-lab-coat-to-cheesecloth/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ForTheLoveOfGoats.comWant to support the content you love?Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jarThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-polio/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionGoat polio is a serious and often misunderstood condition—frequently mistaken for other neurological diseases like listeriosis, meningeal worm, or even rabies. In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Melissa Holahan, a small ruminant veterinarian, goat breeder, and former lecturer and research assistant at Washington State University. As a breeder of Nigerian Dwarf and Alpine goats herself, Dr. Holahan brings a unique combination of clinical expertise and hands-on experience to this important conversation.Dr. Holahan explains that goat polio isn’t technically a disease on its own, but rather a syndrome caused by brain swelling (cerebral edema), often linked to a disruption in thiamine (vitamin B1) production. You’ll hear why early diagnosis and veterinary involvement are critical—and why relying solely on Facebook advice or over-the-counter B complex may not be enough to save your goat. She also shares what recovery can look like, along with potential long-term side effects.Key Takeaways:What goat polio is and why it’s more accurately considered a syndromeHow it differs from listeriosis, meningeal worm, and rabiesEarly signs and symptoms to watch for, including blindness, nystagmus (eye twitching), and mobility issuesThe role of thiamine in treatment—and the risks of incorrect dosingEnvironmental and dietary factors that can contribute, such as moldy feed, grain overload, and toxic plantsPrevention tips, including proper nutrition, clean feeding practices, and feed security To see the most recent episodes, visit  ForTheLoveOfGoats.comWant to support the content you love?Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jarThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/raising-goats-in-canada/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! DescriptionIn this episode, host Deborah Niemann is joined by Mallory Kaiser, president of the Alberta Goat Association and vice chair of the Canadian National Goat Federation. Mallory shares insights into the goat industry in Canada, including available breeds, import/export challenges, traceability regulations, and the demand for goat products. Whether you're curious about how goat farming differs in Canada or considering expanding your own herd, this episode is packed with valuable information.Key Takeaways:Canada has a strong demand for goat meat, but local production struggles to meet consumer needs.Strict import regulations limit genetic diversity, making it difficult to bring in new bloodlines from the U.S. or Europe.New traceability requirements could open doors for better disease monitoring but are met with resistance from producers.Goat farming in Canada comes with unique challenges, from frigid temperatures to predator threats, requiring strategic planning and infrastructure.The future of goat farming in Canada depends on better regulation, improved record-keeping, and stronger trade relations with the U.S.Correction Notice:In this episode (at 01:05), the guest mentioned that the Canadian Meat Goat Association is in the process of having Spanish goats recognized as a designated breed in Canada. This was incorrect. The correct information is that the Canadian Meat Goat Association is working on having Savannah goats registered in Canada, not Spanish goats. To see the most recent episodes, visit  ForTheLoveOfGoats.comWant to support the content you love?Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jarThanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar. No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store. Happy goat-keeping! 🐐