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! 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! 🐐
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How Beekman 1802 Used GOAT Wisdom to Build a Beloved Brand
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! 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! 🐐
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Call the Vet Now
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 lateResources Mentioned:Goat Bloat (article)Podcast episodes on: Listeriosis in GoatsGoat PolioUrinary CalculiSkin Cancer in Goats: MelanomaTetanus in 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! 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! 🐐
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Coping with the Loss of a Beloved Goat or Pet
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! 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! 🐐
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From Lab Coat to Cheesecloth: Dr. Kandice Marchant's Delicious Second Act
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! 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! 🐐
We are talking about everything goats! Whether you're an owner, a breeder, or just a fan of these wonderful creatures, we've got you covered. Join host and author Deborah Niemann as she interviews experts and goat lovers so we can all learn more about how to improve the health and production of our goats, improve our relationships, and possibly even start a goat business.Happy anniversary to us! FTLOG is five years old! As we enter our sixth year, you can continue to expect to hear from more goat experts like vet professors and researchers who are on the leading edge of goat research. You’ll also hear from goat owners who have turned their love of goats into a successful business. And this year, you’ll hear more stories about goats and the people who love them. Learn more on our website, fortheloveofgoats.com
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