Spanish Moss Farm Registered Dairy Goats

         Spanish Moss Farm, so named for the moss that hangs from the trees on our farm, was started in 1996.  It was my intention to raise meat goats for market and show.  My starter herd consisted of three registered Nubians and two percentage Boer does.  My "girls" were soon joined by a black hooded Boer buck named Gabe, and for the next two years we would raise percentage meat goats.  It was during this time that my daughter, Jennifer, became more interested in the goats and we began getting involved in the goat associations in our area.  In 1997 we became members of the North MS. Goat Club, which was later renamed the MS. Goat Association, and the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA).  We have remained active members since. Membership in these organizations has given us valuable information, skills and contacts, but most of all wonderful friends.

        In 1998 we decided to sell our Boer goats and raise registered Nubians and Alpines.  So as our herd developed we needed a "milk room", and more.  Four years ago my husband, (with our help) built us a "milk room" adding our milking machine and more space.  We also have a very large loafing area and four nice kidding pens.  We now have 11 registered Alpine does (mainly French), 3 Nubians does, 2 Nubian bucks, 2 pygmy does, and Socrates our Great Pyrenees guardian dog.  We are now more competitive in the show arena (please read about our show winners), and are improving the quality of our herd with each kidding.  We have faithful milk and cheese customers.  Our milkers are earning their star milking status.  We have been successful in selling our kids, and participated in DHIR this year.  We will have kids for sale this coming Spring.  We are proud to give discounts to 4-H members.

Dairy goats are a multi-purpose farm animal: milk, milk products,meat, and fiber-even goat skin is used to make gloves!  I would encourage anyone interrested in raising goats to research first, know which direction you want to go, and be an involved member of your goat associations.  We probably should call them a support group for us goat addicts!  We hope you enjoy our website and may God bless you.