Maine Goat Farms
The number of farms in Maine are
steadily increasing. As Mainer's become more aware of the food they are
eating they also being more selective of the food they buy.
Locally-grown food has seen a big increase in Maine. One of these foods
is goat cheese and milk. There are approximately less than ten
commercial goat dairies with 100 animals or more; but there are about 50
registered goat dairies. Some goat farms could be called small "hobby farms"
where the cheese and milk is produced for the farm family's private use only; or the goats are raised
as pets or show animals.
Goat Products. The goats produce milk, cheese, and yogurt; and in
some cases meat. The goat farmers will sell to neighbors, restaurants
and local farmer's markets. Some of the goat produce will feed other
animals or even make soap. The Southern Maine Dairy Goat Association has
a webpage on
goat products.
ADGA Convention in Portland, Maine. The American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) will hold its 2014
annual convention in Portland, Maine on October 18-25, 2014.
Listing of Maine Goat Farms
Gentle Meadow Goat Farm Winterport, Maine www.facebook.com/GentleMeadowGoatFarm http://gentlemeadowgoatfarm.com
Creeping Thyme Farm Buxton, Maine www.creepingthymefarm.com
Farmer in the Dell - Naughty Goat Dairy 262 Patricktown Road, Somerville, ME 04348 www.facebook.com/farmerinthedell.maine
Flying Goat Farm Acton, Maine www.flyinggoatfarmmaine.com
Fuzzy Udder Farm 35 Townhouse Road, Whitefield, ME 04353 www.fuzzyudder.com
Meadowbrook Farm Jay, Maine www.goatsinmaine.com
Springtide Farm Bremen, Maine www.springtidefarm.com
Sunflower Farm Creamery Cumberland, Maine www.sunflowerfarm.info
Talk of the Town Farm Connor TWP, Maine www.talkofthetownfarm.com
Whitbred Goats www.whitbred.org
York Hill Farm 257 York Hill Road, New Sharon, ME 04955 www.yorkhillfarmmaine.com
Blogs about Maine Goat Farms
Flying Goat Farm Chronicles www.flyinggoatfarmmaine.com/theflyinggoatchronicles/
Living with Goats - Ten Apple Farm http://livingwithgoats.com/wordpress/
Sunflower Farm Nigerian Goat Dairy Blog http://sunflowerfarmdairy.blogspot.com
Goat School - Stony Knolls Farm (3 mins). www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUkxUS28jGc
Hamilton Farm Blog http://hamiltonfarm.wordpress.com/posts/
Videos about Goat Farming
The Running of the Goats by Sunflower Farm Creamery. A cute 34 second video showing young goats running about. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2_-i_cohMM
Pygmy Goats at Small Fry Farm. Abott, Maine. (9 mins). www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_NN1eiKkzc
Resources for Goat Farms and Breeders
American Cheese Society www.cheesesociety.org
Biology of the Goat www.goatbiology.com
Dairy Goat Journal www.dairygoatjournal.com
Goats. Hobby Farms www.hobbyfarms.com/popular-farming-series/goats.aspx
Goat Dairy Library "A database of materials for the commercial goat milk producer" www.goatdairylibrary.org
Goat Rancher Magazine www.goatrancher.com/store.php
Goat School Stony Knolls Farm, Saint Albans, Maine www.goatschool.com
Goat World www.goatworld.com
Maine Cheese Guild. The Guild's mission is to support and encourage the Maine cheesemaking communit. www.mainecheeseguild.org
New England Cheesemaking Supply Company Deerfield, Massachusetts www.cheesemaking.com
Toxic Plants and the Common Caprine - Cornell University College of Agriculture www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/goatlist.html
United Caprine News http://unitedcaprinenews.com
Goat Farm and Breeder Associations
Alpines International Club www.alpinesinternationalclub.com
American Boer Goat Association. http://abga.org
American Dairy Goat Association www.adga.org
American Goat Society www.americangoatsociety.com
American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association www.andda.org
Guernsey Goat Breeders of America http://guernseygoats.org
International Dairy Goat Registry http://idgr.info/index
International Fainting Goat Association www.faintinggoat.com
International Goat Association www.iga-goatworld.com
Miniature Dairy Goat Association http://miniaturedairygoats.net
North American Packgoat Association www.napga.org
National Miniature Goat Association www.nmga.net
National Pygmy Goat Association www.npga-pygmy.com
National Saanen Breeders Association www.nationalsaanenbreeders.com
National Toggenburg Club www.nationaltoggclub.org
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association (NDGA) www.ndga.org
Oberhasli Breeders of America www.oberhasli.net
United States Boer Goat Association www.usbga.org
Types and Varieties of Goats
Nubian Goats. This is the most popular goat in the U.S. Sometimes they are also referred to a 'Anglo-Nubian' goats. The breed was
developed in Great Britain from native goats and goats from the Middle East, North Africa, and other parts of the world. See below in Endnotes
for more information on the Nubian goat. 1.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats. The second most popular goat is the Nigerian Dwarf goat. It is a smaller animal and easier to handle.
2.
Alpine Dairy Goat. The Alpine is a medium to large sized dariy goat that comes in an assortment of colors and color combinations. They are a
hardy animal and can live in a variety of climates and environments.3.
Saanen Dairy Goat. The Saanen dairy goat originates from Switzerland and was imported to the United States over 100 years ago.
4.
News Stories about Maine Goat Farms
October 13, 2014. "This farm is good to go for goat cheese". Portland Press Herald.
The Kennebec Cheesery in Sidney combines art and science to produce a wide variety of crafted cheeses.
August 22, 2014. "Raising goats a growning trend in Maine". Portland Press Herald.
Their size, manageability and personality make them good starter animals for beginning farmers.
July 26, 2014. "Get your goat during Maine's Open Farm Day". Wiscasset Newpaper.
January 22, 2013. "Ten Apple Farm: Basics to Raising Goats". MaineToday.com.
May 6, 2012. "Got goats' milk? Northern Maine farm has it, and cheese, too". Bangor Daily News.
December 2, 2009. "Goat farming in Maine". Mother Nature Network.
June 18, 2009. "The Growing Demand for Goat Meat". The Atlantic.
Endnotes
1. More information about Nubian Goats can be found at the links below: a. Anglo Nubian Goat Society, www.anglonubiangoatsociety.com
b. International Nubian Breeders Association, www.i-n-b-a.org
2. More information about Nigerian Goats can be found at the links below: a. American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association
(ANDDA), www.andda.org b. Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association, www.ndga.org
3. More information about the Alpine Dairy Goat can be found at the liks below: a. Alpines International Club,
www.alpinesinternationalclub.com
4. More information about the Saane Diary Goat can be found at the links below: a. National Saanen Breeders Association,
www.nationalsaanenbreeders.com
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