Seeking Work on Goat Farm for 2014 and Beyond

Are you looking for help on your goat farm for 2014 and beyond?
I have just spent the last 2 full seasons interning on farms. Although they gave me amazing experience with vegetables, fruits, chickens and ducks, I am now desperately seeking to work with and learn from goats. My end goal is to have a sustainable off-grid (as much as possible) homestead, and I'm currently gathering the experience and confidence I need to make that happen. I already have extensive experience working with and taking care of a variety of domesticated animals and livestock, but I have not yet spent nearly enough time with goats. I also am a certified permaculture designer and would love to help with any other gardening or farming design and work under those principles.
I am looking for a farm who can give me hands-on experience with kidding, trimming hooves, milking, cheese and yogurt making, and everything in between. Full time employment is ideal, however I'm more than open to consider any apprenticeship or part-time work/live arrangements.
If you think I sound like someone you could use on your farm, let's start a conversation about your goats! Send me a message and I'll gladly give you more information. I look forward to talking with you, all the best!

Sincerely,
Meghan

I may be able set you up with some experience.

I am not really established yet but I do own a small herd of mini Nubian goats. I've recently moved them onto a 200acre property in Ojai ca. I am looking to regenerate the land through holistic management practices while creating a profitable product.

I am just getting set up with rustic off the grid accommodations myself. Not sure what I will be able to offer. But come spring things will start to take off.

Stay in touch if you are interested.

Hi Soma,


Excuse me for jumping in, but I am very interested in the opportunity you have available. I have experience working on a goat farm. I live in Los Angeles and I am currently in the process of developing my own body care products. I am looking for some goats that I can work with so I can have milk to make my soap. I also have several years of gardening experience. I am extremely hardworking and motivated.

I would love to hear more about your opportunity.


Regards,


Angelita

Hey Meghan!
I volunteered on a Goat farm just last summer...it was amazing:)
It was a small farm of about 100 nigerian dwarf goats in alll...bucks, grandmas, milking does, and then kids of various ages....I witnessed 3 births in the 3 weeks I was there, so there is definitely some of everything!It's a raw milk dairy, so there's lots of milking, but other things too...managing them, moving them field to field, hooftrimming, shots etc.
I really liked it because there were 9 other interns, 2 of them being the "managers" who oversaw things...it was nice working and learning from other people with similar interests.
It is located in a gorgeous region of washington state, about 40 minutes from mount rainier, although on a clear day, you can see it from the farm:)
The owner, Jeremy, is really kind and understanding and made the experience wonderful...weekly farm dinners, special surprise outings...he makes it a memorable experience because he knows all the hard work we put in as volunteers!
It's called Left Foot Farm, check it out!!!
~ Anna

Hi, Meghan! The opportunities listed here for you sound wonderful! However, if you need something a little closer to home, you can take a look at my other posts here on permies.com to see if you'd be interested in partnering with me (short-term or long-term, your choice) on my farm in Virginia. You can check out one of them here: https://permies.com/t/33990/homestead/Mature-Female-Seeks-Homesteading-Partner

I've kept dairy goats (Nubians) in the past and loved the experience! I'm in the process of fencing in a new pasture now, and hope to have them again very soon! Good luck on your search!

Hi Megh,

What have you come up with?

I am launching a goat herd share cheese and yogurt CSA this year. I got my first goat last May, am establishing pasture this year. Soil improvement is a big passion. I'm writing up my flyer now, working on the bill of sale and herd share agreements. I'll begin milking this week end, and making feta cheese. I am a learn as you go kind of person, and practiced several cheese recipes last winter in preparation. By this time next year i hope to have a goat dairy apprenticeship.

This year, I could use help with milking and cheesemaking. You can check out some of my posts, look at my website canyonwrenfarm.org. I just got back from Permaculture Voices, which was an incredible event. I am inspired to make a lot of headway this season.

Let me know if you are interested, and we can explore compatibility questions.

Good luck with your adventure

Thekla