Compassion Counts...

I really have always recognized the importance of keeping bonds and "relationships" with my animals. I find that not only will they live a much longer, happier, and more productive life but I am able to enjoy getting up and taking care of them each and every day.

There is no doubt whatsoever that I do not get mad at my animals. Nearly every day I am frustrated by an event that may seem so mere to others. I find that dealing with these simple things are harder than some people might think. The thing that is always reassuring is that at the end of the day your animals still love you - regardless.



My animals know who I am, and what I do for them every single day. They truly do appreciate it no matter how many times they escape the fence, or dump the milk pail. It is innocence and appreciation of them that makes me respect them so much.

In the end I think that a happier animal produces a much better product. Our girl's milk is so rich and whole. It lacks a strong flavor that most goat milk hinders. It stands out in nutritiously fulfilling products such as kefir, or cheeses.

Try some of our milk today!

Mountain Pride Farm
Franklin, Vermont
802-393-5455

Our First Fair of 2009

This past weekend was the Franklin County Field Days. Our farm attended with two of our goats and did relatively well in the open dairy goat show. I showed our Oberhasli doe Sally who is in full lactation (and producing very well I might add), and Blaise showed Charlotte an Oberhasli doeling. I showed in the adult fitting and showmanship class, which I took first in. Blaise took third in his fitting and showmanship class.

In the conformation class I took fourth with Sally. For some reason all of the does in milk placed the lowest in the 12 months and older class. Blaise took fifth in a class of 6 other young doelings (which was a VERY tough class). I think the placings were very accurate in the younger doelings class however the older doe class was a mess in my honest opinion.

Despite a few issues we had a GREAT time showing and we enjoyed the weekend.

Blaise and Chicken

The Never Ending to-do List

The minute you begin to pat yourself on your back after noticeable progress it seems there is another big thing to do. My barn has been a work in progress for a solid 6 months. I purchased the lumber last year and made the frame to the doe area. It sat all winter and finally this spring the floor was made and the milk room was added. This weekend the roof was put up on the main area.

As obvious, the barn isn't huge or fancy schmancy. Indeed it will keep the rain off me, allow me room for milking equipment, and keep the goats content (a hard task in itself). The front room is the milking room which will be the main entrance and the back is the loafing area for the hard working does. I expect this facility to efficiently house 4-6 milking does.

I plan to keep a customer fridge in the milk room that all established customers will be able to obtain there milk from. I will also have a small retail shelf of our soaps, maple syrup, and other farm products. The milk room should be open by mid-June.

About the Farm

Mountain Pride Farm is located in the scenic state of Vermont. Just minutes from Canada, New York, and Burlington - our small farm is nestled in the tiny town of Franklin. At Mountain Pride Farm you can find our herd of Oberhasli and Alpine dairy goats munching on the brush, or see our chickens perched on a roost.

There is never a dull moment with the goats, from laying out in the paddock on a Sunday afternoon to chasing a baffled kid across the yard. Each goat is named and treated as a being - simply because they are. I run my farm with this quote in mind

“Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.” ~Thomas A. Edison

My goats usually begin milking in early Spring, and dry off in the Fall. The goats are hand milked twice a day, the milk is quickly chilled, filtered and placed in our customer fridge. We DO NOT use any hormones, chemicals, or ANYTHING to boost production. Each doe gives what they can give, and thats it. I respect and cherish what each doe can contribute to the milk pail and treat them all the same.

This year (2009) we will be opening our farmstand located on the Browns Corner Road in Franklin, Vermont. The stand will include fresh vegetables, homemade pies, jams, pickles, and of course Amy’s Famous Dinner Rolls will be available along with breads and the daily/weekly special. Hopes for a small year round “Localvore” store is projected for the year of 2010, containing only products made/grown locally.