Goats

Our mischievous goats are always in a silly mood!

Our goats can be found often acting as landscapers, helping us manage our farmland by clearing paddocks overgrown with poison ivy, mugwort, and wild grape vines. They respond quickly to affection and are always eager for treats!

Saanen dairy goats originated in the Saanen valley of Switzerland, brought to the USA in 1904. They are one of the most popular dairy goat breeds throughout the world providing high milk volume and a gentle demeanor.

Nigerian Dwarf Goats are a breed of miniature dairy goat, but are more commonly kept as companion animals. These goats were brought to the USA between 1930 and 1950. They were once considered endangered by the Livestock Conservancy, but have since skyrocketed in population. Our Nigerian dwarf goats were graciously donated by Dilly’s Lavender Hill, located in Pine Bush, NY. 

Goats are intermediate-ruminants, meaning like cattle and sheep they sport the 4-chambered stomach designed to break down hard-to-digest cellulose contained in grasses, but thrive best on a diverse diet including forages and woody plants with less cellulose. This makes them a smart and important agricultural tool for food production in very forested, high elevation, or arid landscapes unsuitable for crop and lush pasture growth. Goats are browsers, thriving on forage that grows at or above shoulder length like bushes, vines and low hanging tree branches. Due to their unique grazing habits, goats are often used to control unwanted plants like poison ivy, wild grape vines, and Himalayan blackberry while also providing humans with a food source in both meat and milk.

Adore our goats? Help care for them year-round! As a Fund-A-Friend Sponsor, your support helps provide essential food, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy. Click here to learn more!