A BIT MORE ABOUT SHALGO
Stuff Happens and Life Goes On...
You know how life goes—things happen, and plans change! When we moved to our little two-acre slice of West Virginia back in 2010, we never imagined it would look like this today. But with a bit of creativity and hard work, we’ve discovered just how much you can do with a couple of acres! Over the years, we’ve grown produce, raised chickens, kept a few bee hives, and of course, welcomed our goats.
As time went on, we had to focus on what matters most to us, and that turned out to be our dairy goats and growing fresh fruits and vegetables for our family. Cheese-making has become a real passion of mine, along with experimenting with all the delicious creations goat’s milk can bring!
In a perfect world, I’d be farming full-time, but my day job as a wildlife biologist helps keep the lights on. So, for now, we keep things manageable with a small space and just a handful of animals, which keeps the balance just right for us.
Our goats are our pampered pets, spoiled with plenty of love and care. Their diet includes Chaffhaye and locally sourced, non-GMO goat feed, along with supplements like copper, selenium, flaxseed, vitamin E, and a gentle herbal wormer. They also have free access to minerals, baking soda, and flaxseed to keep them thriving.
We regularly test for parasites and treat only when necessary (which is rare, thanks to their herbal diet). Vaccinations are essential to us, so we keep our goats on a consistent schedule.
Many of the people who visit us are first-time goat owners, and we understand the excitement and nerves that come with it! Goats are resilient, but they do need some special care to stay happy and healthy. I’m here to guide you before and after you bring your goat home, answering questions and sharing what I’ve learned. Doing your research is great, as everyone has their own approach. I’ll share what works best for us, and you can decide how you’d like to care for your goats.
Our goats are registered with the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and there are other organizations/societies such as American Nigerian Dwarf Association (ANDDA) and American Goat Society that you can become a member of and register your goats with. I would recommend exploring at least ADGA and ANDDA for breed standards and history.