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Bystander Farm’s Fresh Goat Milk Cottage Cheese

Two Ways: Cultured & No‑Culture, Both Beautiful Cottage cheese is one of those cheeses that meets you exactly where you are, whether you’re a seasoned cheesemaker with cultures lined up in the freezer, or someone who just wants to turn a gallon of milk into something soft, fresh, and nourishing. My challenge is always […]

From Goat Milk to Goose Eggs

The Farmhouse Cheesecake I Didn’t Know I Needed Every season on the farm has its own rhythm. Right now, ours sounds like the steady hum of the milking stand, the soft clink of jars in the fridge, and the unmistakable honk of Pilgrim geese announcing that egg season has officially begun. And when the goats […]

When the Geese Are Laying

When the Geese Are Laying! What to Make With Goose Eggs on the Farm Every year there’s a moment, usually sometime between the first warm breeze and the first baby alligator intrusion in the pond, when the Pilgrim geese decide it’s time. Egg season. Suddenly the nesting spots fill, the girls get opinionated, and I […]

Disbudding Goats: Bystander’s Guide to What, Why, and How

If you’ve spent any time around goats, you know horns are part of their natural charm. They’re beautiful, they’re useful in the wild, and they’re part of what makes goats… goats. But on a small farm, horns can also be trouble. That’s where disbudding comes in. What Is Disbudding? Disbudding is the process of removing […]

Ensuring the Safety of Your Home-Produced Milk

A Guide to On-Farm Rapid Testing for Cheese, Butter, and Beyond In light of recent news of hospitalizations in our state due to raw milk consumption, and as a small dairy producer myself, this seems like important information to get out there for the rapidly growing home dairy community. Even when you’re not selling raw […]

Post-Banding Care Guide for Bucklings

🐐 Post-Banding Care Guide for Bucklings 📆 Healing Timeline Week What to Expect Owner Actions 1 Mild swelling, band firmly in place Watch for discomfort, check daily 2 Tissue begins to darken and dry No tugging or handling, monitor hygiene 3 Scrotum looks necrotic, may show redness nearby Check for irritation or infection; clean gently […]

Castrating Male Goats on the Small Farm: A Practical, Humane Guide

Castrating Male Goats on the Small Farm: A Practical, Humane Guide Castrating male goats is a common and responsible management practice for small farms. Whether you’re raising wethers for companionship, meat, or calmer herd dynamics, the decision to castrate, and how to do it, matters. This guide is written from the hands-on perspective of a […]

Important Goat Illness Information

Important Goat Illness Information Mini goats, like all livestock, can be susceptible to various illnesses. Normal temperature for a goat is 101.5 to 103.5 degrees F. If a goat is registering a temperature above normal, chances are high that they have an infection. If a goat is registering a temperature below normal the goat is […]

A Beginner’s Guide to Mini Goats

A Beginner’s Guide to Mini Goats Raising mini goats can be a delightful and rewarding experience. These charming, pint-sized animals are known for their friendly personalities and manageable size, making them perfect for small farms or even urban homesteads. If you’re new to mini goats, this guide will walk you through the essentials of caring […]

The Ultimate Guide to Storing and Managing Farm Fresh Eggs

The Ultimate Guide to Storing and Managing Farm Fresh Eggs Farm fresh eggs are delightful, providing rich flavor and superior nutritional value compared to store-bought eggs. However, proper storage and management are crucial to ensure their freshness and safety. Here’s everything you need to know about handling farm fresh eggs. Collecting the Eggs Frequency: Collect […]