Anniversary Came and Went

Our business anniversary came and went this year.  Who had time to celebrate what with kids being born every few weeks, millions of projects to complete on the farm, and business steadily increasing? We want to thank everyone who has supported us through this endeavor.  It has been an adventure filled tough and glorious year.  It is all of you who make what we do worth the effort.  As a tribute to my wonderful husband Eric I want to post a poem of sorts about being goat farmers.  This resonates in my heart and describes many aspects of our life on the farm.  This is for you honey.  Happy Belated Anniversary!  I hope all of you reading enjoy it too.  P.S. Thanks Steven for the great picture taken at the Scardello Cheese tour.

I’m Only a Goat Farmer

(Author unknown)

I’m only a goat farmer.

I know the sun, the soil, the wind, the rain, and the cold.

I am the man who works with them, who loves them, and sometimes fears them.

I’m only a goat farmer.

I am the sower of seeds, the tender of stock, and the reaper of the harvest. 

I am sweat, tears, and pride.

I’m only a goat farmer.

I am the man who feeds the young, and the old, the weak, and the strong.  I am the black earth of spring, the green pastures of summer, the harvest gold of autumn, and the cold white stillness of winter.

I’m only a goat farmer.

I am warm memories of the past, the steely reality of the present, and a hopeful dream of the future.  I am an optimist, a thinker, a watcher, and a doer.

I’m only a goat farmer.

I live in a complex world made of simple things, and they are my source of joy, hope, and comfort.

I have walked in the early morning fog.   I have paused for the summer song of the meadowlark, and enjoyed the beauty of the wildflowers.

I have savored the warm summer breeze off freshly cut hay.

I have paused, remembering, by the pond I knew as a boy. 

I have felt the power of a thousand thunderstorms and rejoiced in the fresh world left in their wake.

I’m only a goat farmer.

I am an accountant, a chemist, and a doctor.

I am a midwife, and a mechanic.  I am seller, a trader, and buyer.  I am husband, helper, and partner to my wife.

I am father, comforter, and teacher to my kids.

I’m only a goat farmer.

Not a man of riches, but a man of great wealth.  I have learned to treasure life and all things living.

To respect their maker, and my own.

I am humbled by earth’s bounty and awed by endless rebirth at kidding time.

I am fascinated by the marvelous minutiae of my world and enriched by their beauty.

I’m only a goat farmer.

If a man can be truly free, then I truly am.

The day, the week, the month, they have been entrusted to me.  They are mine to spend.  They are mine to invest.  They are mine to use wisely.

Run with the angels my precious boy

It is with intense sadness and grief that I must report that Ace (pictured at front) lost his life yesterday morning to unknown circumstances.  We awoke to find him barely alive and despite attempts at life saving measures it was just too late.  We will always remember you.  May you forever run with the angels in heaven my precious boy.