Goats are an excellent choice for homesteaders. They can clear land, provide milk and meat. Yet, raising goats is also known as the “Bankruptcy Starter Kit.”
Who Else Wants to Raise Goats? Even Off-Grid
That’s because there are lots of mistakes to make raising goats. I’ve been able to avoid many of these mistakes by choosing the right mentors. Help beyond basic animal husbandry.
This is for small farms and homesteads with a commercial intent. Meaning, you want the lifestyle to pay for itself, running a farm. Clients typically have five or more acres.
A coaching program around homestead design to raise goats off-grid. Includes insights on corrals, browsing, feed storage, and more. A done-with-you approach to getting started with goats off-grid.
What to Expect From Off-Grid Goats Coaching
In the initial consultation, we’ll discuss what you’d like to achieve, then start drafting a one-page business plan. Focus is on your goals, skills, and homestead dream. I’ll get you started the right way.
The second consultation includes a one-page design plan. Clearly see how you’ll set up to manage goats at a break-even or better. Plans are written. We’ll even use land management software to look at your property.
Then you’ll have access to monthly group coaching calls, workshops, and private sessions. You get help every step of the way. When you write in with questions, I’ll reply with links to previous programs you may have missed.
Plus, you get custom checklists, materials, and guides. There are many books and programs out there on goat health, maintenance, and animal husbandry. Access to solve problems you will face when raising goats.
Each session focuses on meaningful progress in starting your small farm or homestead. You can raise goats for meat, milk, land clearing, or even eco-tourism. I help you fast-track.
What You Get in Coaching About Raising Goats Off-Grid
Even if you already have goats or are a goat expert, this program goes beyond animal husbandry. In fact, many coaching clients want to build a profitable farm for retirement or to work from home.
Here is some of what you get in this program about raising goats off-grid:
- Intense consultation around homesteading goals. Helping you get goats for the right reason, while understanding your overall lifestyle objectives. Includes skills assessment.
- Help writing a One-page Business Plan. How are you going to make money? What kind of goats fit your homesteading goals? What expenses are to be expected? How will goats earn their keep?
- Help writing a One-page Design Plan. What space is available for raising goats? How to design for off-grid goat safety and well-being? Any opportunities for grazing, forage, or corrals?
- Help choosing a goat breed specific to your goals and objectives. Including looking at climate, terrain, structures, and overall budgetary considerations. The goats you choose will be fit for purpose.
- Help finding a herd near you, including pre-screening. It’s easy to buy a herd of goats, yet infinitely harder to get rid of one. This includes helping you find breeding stock, regional support, and markets.
- Design support for shelters, corrals, and other necessary elements. Including materials lists, sourcing, and helping you avoid costly mistakes. As an off-grid approach, focus is on minimal infrastructure and maximum safety.
- Understand corrals and portable fencing for your land. Many options are available. What fits your budget, terrain, and stocking levels? Will you rotate pastures or do cell grazing? See how to train goats on fencing.
- A marketing plan to cultivate buyers for your milk, meat, value-added products, and so much more. Goats offer at least 16 income streams, depending on your goals. Small ruminants are a keystone to any homestead.
- You get support for finding resources, land, markets, veterinarians, hay suppliers, and more. Especially if you are 50 miles from Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia — yet the program works in any temperate climate.
Within the coaching fee, I’ll send you a few of those resources. I can help you find what is right for you and get you what those programs don’t teach. The goal is to make this as turn-key as possible.
The focus of this program is the business side (including marketing, budgeting, risk management, etc.) of raising goats. I also cover design features with you to make your life easier.
If, for some reason, you decide against goats or switch to a different kind of small livestock, this program works in any off-grid application. The scale is different; however, goats are the primary focus because I raise them.
This is a 12-month program. Write us if you have any questions before getting started.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to be off-grid to raise goats in this program? No. Many of our coaching clients want to dip their toes in the water before raising goats on their small farm or homestead. This program is designed to start with a small footprint and then grow as your skills and goals develop.
- Some clients set up goats to clear land. In that case, off-grid principles help turn raw land into a productive resource. If your goats are working the back 40, you’ll need off-grid skills for a remote location. That’s why we start with the basics.
- Do I have to buy the equipment and materials you recommend? No, you could do things the hard way. I don’t have any fixed recommendations. The business plan helps determine costs and design appropriate for you. The reason we build these lists is that many who start with goats are unprepared for what is necessary.
- Will the business plan have a financial section? It can be if you are going to the bank to finance a goat operation. I can walk you through pro-forma cash flow, budgets, and balance sheets. However, most coaching clients are comfortable with materials lists that include pricing. As well as other cost breakouts for decision-making.
- Am I going to learn the care and feeding of goats? While the program includes general goat-related animal husbandry, I’ll get you reading a few recommended books. There is so much misinformation on the internet that it is better for you work with a veterinarian and a few proven experts to mentor you on specific care for your herd.
- The significant advantage I bring you is my experience in running a small farm or homestead, including business development and risk management. Most veterinarians, biologists, and goat experts (even extension offices) know very little about marketing. With that said, I raise goats and can answer many questions.
- What if I decide I don’t want to raise goats, but I like the program? That’s okay. Goats aren’t for everyone. You can raise rabbits, ducks, sheep, chickens, miniature cows, or quail. They all work in this permaculture design approach. Many are good proxies for meat, milk, and other marketable goods.
- What if I don’t think I’m ready to sell farm products? That’s okay. This program is NOT about sitting at farmers’ markets, setting up a CSA, or having hours at your farm. However, if you want business and farm tax deductions, you’ll need to have a specific dollar amount of sales. This alone can significantly reduce your taxes.
- What if I don’t like the taste of goat meat or milk? Can I still raise goats? Of course, you don’t have to eat your goats. Yet it isn’t easy to serve a market if you don’t like the product. You’ve also highlighted a myth: goats don’t have to taste gamey or require a specific palate. It’s not a good idea to raise goats if you don’t like them.