Or not.
We’ve decided to put off becoming dairy goat owners for a year. The reason? The economy.
Yea, verily: Who’d have thought that goat-owning would be a casualty of the economic downturn, but frankly we cannot make the numbers work for this year. Like many other people, we’re in the unenviable position of [freaking out] about what 2009 holds for us. We’ve decided to invest, instead, in some needed and unavoidable farm repairs. Yes, for this year, things like Roof For Garage trump Cute Nubian Goats. Totally unfun, but then again, we already own the garage, etc., so it makes sense to take care of one’s current investments.
Where’s The Child? Here she is, playing with 18 pregnant Nubian does
In a sense, it’s a bit of a relief that we’ve made this decision. There is a lot of work to be done before we get one (shed, fencing), and now we’ve got the time to check these things off our list.
I’m a bit disappointed, I will admit. We are, however, doing all we’re doing with the long view in mind: I will instead be very excited this time next year. Hopefully.
Aren’t they the cutest things?
Glad you came to visit!
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fast grow the weeds 
They are indeed adordable! And your decision to wait on the goats could not have been an easy one. But it seems very wise.
We too will be attending to things we already own for awhile, rather than further extending ourselves. And, truly, I don’t think this is such a bad thing. For us that means adding a couple more raised beds to the garden and re-laying its stone path as well as putting up with the main floor carpet another year or two, when we had hoped to install wood flooring. We will also be freshening up some indoor rooms with new paint, rather than buying the new furniture we had in mind.
We’re in the same position El. With my recent health scare, and all the upcoming tests and possible proceedures it means we’re going to need any extra $ for those bills for awhile. It is a bummer, isn’t it? Especially with cute little faces such as those!!
Oh that must have been a tough one, but keeping ahead of the tax man is the most important thing for sure.
I’m certainly going to have a hard time holding out once I move to the mini-stead in a couple of years, but the infrastructure comes first.
They sure are adorable though and who doesn’t love fresh goat’s milk?
They really are cute. We had toggenburg goats when I was a kid. We put off buying a farm this year… that’s okay, now I can be an urban farmer even longer and it’s so tres chic at the moment…
I love goats. What cuties. It’s a good thing we live on a tiny lot or I may have a few goats.
Disappointing, but the right decision.
So sorry!
I did see your husband’s art in the latest Harper’s. Fabulous. I hope he was paid well for that.
Probably a good idea. At least you are replacing that with things that need doing. Having up to date repairs and making headway is always a good thing. We’re just trying to keep up with the new and inventive ways our new dog has of getting out of the yard. With all we already had, we have a new rescue to deal with too. Talk about getting behind. Yeesh.
This economy is very tiring and scary, we are in the process of buying seed, fertilizer, and fuel for the season. And the prices for the produce is down. Sigh
Sigh
Sigh
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Who is more disappointed- you or your little one?
I would have to say, that may be a wise choice. Trevor (the other lazy gardener) owns a goat and it happens to take a lot more work than it seems to manage her, and she is yet to be a milking doe. Not to mention the cost of hay and the trouble of treating them when they get sick or often times, bloat. He did have a Nubian, but she was not hardy enough for our winters and died in November.
When you do get a goat, you will be pleased… they have a very peculiar personality and they are a riot when they run around and jump.
hopefully…
it’s very disappointing indeed when one needs to slow down on the dream. But hopefully…
Oh, too bad, such cute goats. A time for everything.
I’m sure the goats will underrrrrstannnd you putting it off for a year.
They really are adorable. Things are stressed in general these days I think, very scary. But I agree, it makes sense to invest in what you own already and keep up the value of that. Plus, this way, next year the farm will be totally ready to receive the cuties…..hang in there.
Deborah, well, it IS good to know others are in the same boat: none of this was our fault, after all. It’s good to think small for the year. Your garden plans still sound challenging. I’m adding to the gardens too and it was just when I thought last year that “this garden is a fine size now.”
Aw, Angie! Yes, well, even the benefits of goat milk don’t trump your health. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Thanks, Christie. Yeah it’s more like we know we have enough dough to do all we want to, but that will really dip into the comfort level on that savings account should things continue as they are and clients keep their pocketbooks closed.
VERY chic, OG. However I have a feeling that back yard won’t hold your green dreams forever! I LOVE being an ex-city gardener, and you will too, once you get over how freaked out that it’s so BIG out there.
Mrs Chiot: they really don’t need much space….
Thanks, 3FA. I’m moving right into Plan B now.
Thanks, CC. The Harper’s people love him, so yes. He’s been getting lots of illustration work lately.
Jules, we’re nevereverever getting a rescue dog again, there’s NO sense dealing with other people’s abuse and neglect: we will be getting a pound PUPPY. So I know what you’re dealing with. Penny doesn’t run away but she is so neurotic and has such separation issues. Poor Penny.
Ugh, Linda. When you do something cyclical like farming then yes you definitely see the writing on the wall much more definitely than we office-workers. Ugh!
Pamela I think it’s a tie. But Tom is breathing a sigh of relief (change is hard for him).
Mark, aw, sorry to hear about Trevor’s Nubian. I do know what you mean about their care; you have to be pretty vigilant and then you have to do things like wait for the milk payoff. We were going to get a girl in milk and one not, then get them both bred this next winter. Oh well. Next year.
Sylvie, just think about all the cheese we could’ve had!
Thanks, Eliz. It’s a bit of a bummer. But now I’ll have time to weed the flowers.
Yeah, John, it’s not like the plan is going away…it’s just being deferred.
Thanks, MC. I guess it’s a rebuilding year!
Wah! I am so bummed!! But I do understand that part of being a smart homesteader is not over extending yourself, and that is really easy to do with animals……..I just overextended myself with buying a cream seperator to finally be able to make butter with the goats milk. For years I have been wanting one but it always made me so sick to my stomach thinking of spending that much money so I just never did. By now, the thing would have paid for itself. But its really hard to justify it when you listen to too much NPR and think the economy is coming to a crash. Makes me want to shore up our finances and hold steady with no spending…….I totally get your feeling……..its really an opportunity to delve even further in the possiblities of repurposing and reusing and so on…
Still, I was so looking forward to your goat posts!!
Disappointing for sure, but I totally understand, as we keep putting off our own goat plans. It’s just important to me to be ready with the infrastructure. I swear, 09 is the year for fencing. Or bust! 😉
Shawna, I will just have to blog about YOUR goats 🙂 I am SO glad you got the separator!! Yeah I am with you if things have a humongo pricetag on them I really balk. These goats, they didn’t have a big pricetag so much as we are just so unsure about my job that we’d hate to have to get them then not be able to afford their upkeep. Chickens, turkeys and geese, well, they’re lots cheaper 🙂
Liz, same with you. I know goatdom is on your horizon and has been for years but yes it is so important to let them have enough safe land to browse. They really don’t need much of a pen in the winter because they’re wimpy but the summer, well. Let’s just say the poison ivy and brambles just have another year of life before they’re eaten.
Bummer, but I totally get where you’re coming from. We’ve taken to calling it the “Down Jones” instead of the Dow Jones. *sigh*
I do love the Nubians with their floppy ears (way better than those silly La Manchas that always just look wrong); they were my full-size goat of choice back when I was trying to decide between a cow or a goat.
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