The Joys of Raising Dairy Goats

Reader Contribution by Tara-Sky Alford
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“What are your favorite animals on our farm?” I asked my oldest daughter as we walked around the

perimeter of our front pasture. As usual, a small herd of chickens gathered behind her. They pumped their skinny legs into an awkward front-heavy waddletrot

in fervid hope of catching some tasty morsel thrown from my daughter’s hand. She didn’t wait to ponder this question, but quickly answered with assurance: “The goats!”

I was not surprised. This same daughter stumbled down the stairs at 7:15 this morning, still rubbing eyes not yet fully opened, and sleepily mumbled, “Can I go do chores, Mom?” I would never deny an offer of help, so I easily acquiesced. She soon faded into the morning mist, the echoing clomp clomp of her mud boots mingling with the welcoming bleats of the goats. This has become a common morning routine, one that I realize will not last and refuse to take for granted now. Hours later, I found her sitting in an earthen throne, carved into the hillside by her small hands, grinning at her goat friends as they nibbled leaves near her bare toes.

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