Just Down the Road
by S. Rosenberger

 Rural life provides many rewards, both obvious and subtle. Our new pet is sleeping by my feet after a playful time scampering around the house. Goat and his mother would not be alive and thriving without the unselfish, heroic efforts of some wonderful people. Goat is bottle-fed, thinks he's a "people," and follows us around like a shadow. Housebreaking is progressing well, except for lapses like the time he jumped onto our bed and used my pillow as a potty. 

 This exuberant kid (baby goat) particularly likes to jump on the recliner to get my TV-watching husband's attention. Soon Goat must join the seventeen other kids that are happily living outside with their mothers.

 Years ago we raised dairy goats for milk production and stock sales. Three distinct breeds were chosen so it was necessary to keep the bucks (males) and does (females) separated to ensure purebred status. Although we had four ponies, my children delighted in sneaking rides on the bucks; the children's misdeeds became obvious when I got a whiff of them and their clothes. One breeding season, they and a group of friends mischievously decided to help propagate the herd by opening gates and letting all the goats run together. As feared, purebred kid sales that year were nonexistent but many families were delighted to obtain inexpensive companions.

 Stereotypical images of goats abound:  they eat anything, including tin cans; they are dirty and smelly; goat milk tastes bad and goat meat is "yucky." Whenever possible, I attempt to educate people about the benefits of goats and their products. Goats are choosy eaters and will not eat garbage. My goats receive good hay, clean water, and a special formulated grain mixture. They browse in a fenced pasture and thrive during all seasons with minimal shelter. Goats groom themselves regularly and are clean if kept in a clean environment. 

 Breeding bucks have a characteristic odor that female goats find appealing and humans find obnoxious.

 Goat milk is nourishing, delicious, and easily digested. There are several 
large goat dairies in the Southern Tier and many smaller operations that sell a 
variety of wholesome, sanitary products at their farms. A few grocery and health food stores stock goat milk products. My first four children flourished drinking goat milk and eating the cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, fudge and other delights we made and enjoyed. 

 Goats are for loving, not eating, in my opinion. Many people think otherwise and relish healthful goat meat, referred to as chevon, on a regular basis or for special festivities. Fresh lamb and chevon are available from some local farmers.

 Buying locally produced goods not only helps ensure the consumer gets high quality products, but that the producer has a better chance to get a fair price for his/her efforts. County Cooperative Extension Offices can provide information about buying locally.