For the Love of Goats

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/email-marketing-for-farm-businesses/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Show Notes

Email marketing has always been a valuable way for farm businesses to connect with customers, but the rise of AI is changing what stands out in the inbox. As more businesses rely on AI-generated content, authentic emails that sound personal and human can be even more effective.

In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes back email marketing expert Liz Wilcox to talk about what has...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-tour-portugal/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

If you've ever dreamed of combining your love of goats with a European adventure, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Janelle Holden, author of the From Montana to Portugal Substack newsletter, to talk about an exciting upcoming goat and sheep tour through Portugal. Together, they share how the idea came about, what participants can expect, and why Portu...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/mastitis-in-goats-misconceptions/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

It’s probably safe to say that most goat owners think they understand mastitis, but it’s often more complicated than it seems. While many people associate it with a hot, hard udder, that’s only one form of the disease, and it’s not even the most common type seen in goats.

In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann talks with Dr. Michelle Buckley of Cornell Univer...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/skin-cancer-treatment-in-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann talks with veterinarian and researcher Jennifer Halleran about squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that commonly affects goats—especially Nigerian Dwarfs.

The conversation was inspired by a listener question about whether there are any new treatment options available for goats diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. Dr. Halleran shares insights from a case study that explored the use of a myco...

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Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes back Dr. Melissa Holahan, a small ruminant veterinarian, Nigerian Dwarf breeder at Chubby Acres, and owner of Caprine and Ewe, to revisit a disease that still catches many goat owners off guard: CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis), recently renamed Small Ruminant Lentivirus (SRLV).

They break down what CAE is, why it can quietly enter a herd with zero outward symptom...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/when-a-goat-needs-a-c-section/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Melissa Holahan, a veterinarian and experienced goat breeder, to tackle one of the most anxiety-provoking topics in goat keeping: C-sections and difficult births.

Together, they walk through what actually happens when a goat needs surgical intervention during labor, why panic and delay often cause more harm than transport to a veterinarian, and how healthy does can tol...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-in-nepal/  -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

When people think about international development work, they don’t always picture goats at the center of it. In this episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with Daniel Laney, founder of Worldwide Goat Project Nepal, about how a lifelong love of goats grew into a far-reaching program that is improving lives across rural Nepal.

Daniel shares how a childhood dream of visiting Nepal eventually combined with more...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/medications-for-goats/  -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Pat Gorden of Iowa State University and Dr. Michelle Buckley of Cornell University to break down one of the most confusing topics for goat owners: medications and antibiotics.

You’ll gain a clearer understanding of how drug use works in goats, including what extra-label drug use actually means and when it is legal and appropriate. The discus...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-rescue/  -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

When people think about animal rescue, they often picture a few animals and a lot of good intentions. In this episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with Deborah Blum, founder of Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sebastopol, California, about what it really takes to run a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary with dozens of goats and more than 150 animals total.

Deborah...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/what-to-feed-a-pregnant-goat/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description:

Proper nutrition during pregnancy is essential for keeping both does and kids healthy — but more isn’t always better! In this short, science-based episode, Deborah Niemann explains how to balance feed, minerals, and body condition during gestation, and why following feeding advice from other species (or even other parts of the world) can lead to trouble.

She also shares lessons from her own herd, including w...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-in-america/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

If you’ve ever wondered how goats went from being banned in colonies to beloved on social media, this episode is for you! 

In this episode of For the Love of Goats, host Deborah Niemann talks with Tami Parr, author of Goats in America: A Cultural History  (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases), about how g...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-milk-ice-cream-and-gelato/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your goat milk into something people line up for, this episode is for you! 

In this episode of For the Love of Goats, host Deborah Niemann chats with Oskar Edwall from Sweden, who started with just a few goats and ended up creating a thriving business making goat milk ice cream and gelato.

Oskar shares how...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-yoga/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

When people hear you have goats, one of the first questions they ask is, “Do you do goat yoga?” In this fun and fascinating episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with the person who started it all—Lainey Morse, founder of the original Goat Yoga in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Lainey shares how goat yoga began in 2016 during one of the most difficult times of her life—and ho...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/uterine-tears-in-goats/-- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Daniela Luethy, Assistant Professor of Large Animal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss the realities of uterine tears in goats, risk factors, and what goat owners need to know as kidding season approaches. Dr. Luethy shares the results of a new multicenter study on reproductive complications in goats and clarifies common misunderstandings about prevention, symptoms, and man...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/the-science-of-goat-milk-and-skin-care/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

Goat milk has been used for centuries to soothe and nourish skin—but now science is catching up to explain why it works so well. In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Brent Ridge, physician and co-founder of Beekman 1802, to explore the research behind goat milk’s unique skin benefits. From maintaining the skin’s pH to supporting a healthy microbiome, Dr. Ridge shares insights from...

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Head over to --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-packing-and-public-lands/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Chris Gifford, president of the North American Packgoat Association (NAPgA), to talk about the growing challenges that pack goat owners face when it comes to accessing public lands.

Chris explains what goat packing is, how it works, and why goats make excellent trail companions. He also shares the history of NAPgA and its advocacy efforts to keep pub...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/packing-with-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

If you're considering adding pack goating to your goats’ resumes, this episode is packed with practical tips and essential insights. Deborah Niemann chats with Nathan Putnam, a board member of the North American Pack Goat Association and owner of Putnam Pack Goats. Together, they dive into the world of pack goats, from choosing the right goats to the gear you'll need for your trips.

In this e...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/turning-goat-milk-into-pet-food/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to legally sell raw goat milk or farm-made pet treats, this episode is full of first-hand insight and practical tips. Deborah sits down with Carly Brown and Shawn Phillips of The Good Steward Farm in Virginia, where their herd of 28 goats helps power two small businesses: goat-powered landscaping and licensed raw milk pet products.

Carly and Shawn wal...

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/farm-volunteer-program/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In 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.

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Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-wisdom/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

What 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...

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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 s...