Transcript
U of M Extension's tips for farmers interested in raising goats

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University of Minnesota Extension educators answer all types of questions from farmers, all over the state.

… including questions about goats.

“To have goats in the first place, you have to love them, you have to love what you’re doing.”

Laura Kieser’s dual roles as Extension educator and goat owner give her the unique ability to help farmers learn more about what is becoming a popular farm animal.

“A lot of people will have goats to supply their family with a milk supply or make cheese or other products…”

Kieser grew up on a farm and says the goats have become more than just a hobby …they’ve helped her re-connect with her childhood roots. In addition, they’re also giving her a healthy food option…

“This little goat certainly knows what’s good for it. And as it turns out, this milk is pretty good for humans, too.”

Kieser says goat milk has less lactose and smaller particles than cow milk …a composition that’s easier for some people to digest.

“When they sell baby formula, if you look at the package, the particles are very small, so your body doesn’t have to work to digest those, as much as it would a larger particle. Cows’ milk has larger particles, goats’ milk has a smaller particle.”

Health benefits is just one reason why Vincent Maefsky and his wife got their first goat in the early ‘70’s …since then, their Poplar Hill Dairy has grown to an operation with more than 700 goats.

“The demand for goat cheese has increased very rapidly …and people …have stepped up and produced the milk.”

Maefsky says there were only six commercial goat farms in the Upper Midwest when they started their operation in the mid ‘70’s…

“Now, the demand today is so great for goat cheese, that there may be 600 commercial goat farms in the same area, that in 1975 there were five or six.”

Like Kieser, Maefsky is also closely tied to the U of M, working with the University to give tours of his farm to students, serving on multiple boards …and taking advice from educators like Kieser.

“We’re very glad to have a land grant college here…”
Anyone interested should first do their research …both Maefsky and Kieser say goats aren’t easy. But between the health benefits of the milk, the personality of the animals and the pride of producing your own food …

“For me, my life wouldn’t be the same without them.”

…goats are the way to go.

For the University of Minnesota, I’m Justin Ware