At 225 pounds, Bob is a natural linebacker, while his roommate, and twin brother, Bill, who tips the scales at 200 pounds, was born a philosopher. No one could be prouder of these twin fellows than their parents, Barbara Rich and Howard Freiman of Bayside, California. The fact that the brothers still live at home… and … Continue reading The Goatie Boyz: Pack Goats Extraordinaire
Livestock & Farming
Book Excerpt: Goats in America, A Cultural History, by Tami Parr
The following is from the newest book by Tami Parr, Goats in America, a Cultural History. I had the good fortune of reading an advance copy of this important and entertaining work! If you love goats and history, this book's a must read. Please visit Bookshop.org to purchase online from your favorite local independent bookstore, … Continue reading Book Excerpt: Goats in America, A Cultural History, by Tami Parr
Farmstead Cheesemaking Class in Humbolt Co
August 19-21st at Spring Hill Farmstead Goat Cheese, Bayside, California I'm excited to be back to teaching this three day immersive, hands-on class we used to hold at Pholia Farm. Karin (kuh-rin) Eide owner and cheesemaker of Spring Hill Farmstead Goat Cheese is hosting the small class at her dairy and creamery. There are currently … Continue reading Farmstead Cheesemaking Class in Humbolt Co
Transitions
Well, it's happening. We opened escrow on the farm on May 6th with a closing date of July 15th. It's a contingency offer. The farm was shown 14 times. We were there, and/or met all the potential buyers, which is rather unusual, but as our place (still on Zillow if you want to peek inside!) … Continue reading Transitions
Wild Dairy Fermentation
Excerpt from my article for Fermentation Magazine, access the full article here. One of the raw milk cheese I used to make for Pholia Farm. A Romano style goat, aged 1 year. Long before packets of freeze-dried cultures for milk existed, there were dairy ferments. Cheese, yogurt, and kefir are probably second only to beer … Continue reading Wild Dairy Fermentation
Training a Rat Terrier to Hunt: A novice’s approach that worked
Nifty's first rat in 2016 (not my usual hunting attire!) If you have a rodent problem you’ve probably tried every trap made – and then some (Google it, and you’ll find some interesting homemade contraptions) and then watched as after a few mortalities, the rats quickly learned to avoid or even disable the traps. (After … Continue reading Training a Rat Terrier to Hunt: A novice’s approach that worked
DIY – Goat Decks
How to Build Sectional Raised, Slatted Flooring for Goats Lounging on the deck Hands down, raised, slatted flooring for goat housing wins the prize for ease of maintenance, cost over time, and, best of all, goats love it! I call this type of flooring “goat decks”. Goat decks allow the manure to fall through the … Continue reading DIY – Goat Decks
Luau Style Pit Goat Roast
As some of you know, I'm on a mission to elevate the goat in many ways, including as a culinary staple and delight. With that in mind, I've wanted to try roasting a goat in a luau style pit for some time. As with many things, I've found if you commit to it publicly or … Continue reading Luau Style Pit Goat Roast
Encounters with Enterotoxemia
You never learn a lesson quite so well as when personal experience is involved. My goat keep giving me these learning opportunities, whether I want them or not. A few weeks ago I had my first up close experience with the disease process called enterotoxemia. Vaccine for two types of Enterotoxemia and tetanusWhat is Enterotoxemia? … Continue reading Encounters with Enterotoxemia
Philosophy of a Vegetarian Butcher
I’m a vegetarian. Lacto-ovo. For almost a quarter century. I also harvest (as it’s so appealingly called these days) meat for my omnivore family. In addition I’ve found it gratifying to teach others how to respectfully take the life of a gentle beast and convert its life into sources of life for others. I don’t … Continue reading Philosophy of a Vegetarian Butcher