For the Love of Goats

Got a question? 🤔  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 a...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 listen...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/cae-in-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  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 Arthriti...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 in...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 ge...

Got a question? 🤔  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 Hist...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 Willam...

Got a question? 🤔  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 a...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 explai...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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 V...

Got a question? 🤔  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 f...

Got a question? 🤔  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...

Got a question? 🤔  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, t...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/loss-of-a-beloved-goat-or-pet/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  Description   Losing a beloved animal—whether a goat, dog, cat, or any other companion—can be absolutely heartbreaking. In this episode of For the Love of Goats , I’m joined by Beth Bigler , a double-certified Pet Loss Grief Counselor, animal companion...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/from-lab-coat-to-cheesecloth/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  What happens when a medical career ends—but a passion for something totally different begins? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kandice Marchant, a retired physician who traded her lab coat for a cheesecloth. After years of serving patients, Kandice no...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-polio/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  Description Goat polio is a serious and often misunderstood condition—frequently mistaken for other neurological diseases like listeriosis , meningeal worm , or even rabies .  In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Melissa Holahan, a small ruminant veterinarian,...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to https://thriftyhomesteader.com/raising-goats-in-canada/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  Description In this episode, host Deborah Niemann is joined by Mallory Kaiser, president of the Alberta Goat Association and vice chair of the Canadian National Goat Federation. Mallory shares insights into the goat industry in Canada, including available breeds...

Got a question? 🤔  Head over to  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/dewormer-resistance-goat-owners-experience/ --  and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!  Description In this insightful and eye-opening episode, host Deborah Niemann is joined by Tammy Gallagher of Shady Paddock Farm in Texas to discuss the challenges of dewormer resistance and parasite management in goats . Tammy, a certified F...