For the Love of Goats

Homestead Decluttering: What to Keep and What to Let Go

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/homestead-decluttering/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Show NotesClutter can build up quickly on a homestead. Tools, livestock supplies, equipment, canning jars, soap-making ingredients, and all those things we might need “someday” can slowly take over barns, workspaces, and even our homes. But when does being prepared cross the line into simply having too much stuff?In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann talks with Melanie Cohen, founder of Thoughtfully Coaching and host of the Lighten Up: The Art of Living Clutter-Free podcast, along with several Goats 365 members. They discuss why decluttering should come before organizing, how to deal with “just in case” clutter, and how emotional attachment, cost, and fear of needing something later can make it difficult to let things go.They also talk about the difference between clutter and preparedness, how clutter can affect productivity and stress, and why maintaining a decluttered space requires ongoing effort. Melanie shares practical ideas such as looking at what you have actually used in the past, borrowing rarely used equipment, setting aside short periods of time to declutter, and asking whether an item still serves you in your current season of life. The goal isn’t minimalism—it’s creating enough space to do the things you truly want and need to do.Featured GuestMelanie Cohen is the founder of Thoughtfully Coaching and host of the Lighten Up: The Art of Living Clutter-Free podcast. She helps people understand how clutter can affect productivity, stress, daily routines, and overall well-being, while creating practical habits for letting go of what no longer serves them. Thanks for tuning in!If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy🔹Looking for Deborah's books?  They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.Happy goat-keeping! 🐐 

Why a Fecal Egg Count Doesn't Always Tell You Whether a Goat Needs to Be Dewormed

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/fecal-egg-count/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Show NotesIf you've ever been told that a high fecal egg count means you should automatically deworm a goat, this episode is for you.A fecal egg count is one of the most valuable tools we have for monitoring internal parasites—but it's only one piece of the puzzle. It tells you how many parasite eggs a goat is shedding, not whether that goat is actually sick or needs treatment.In this Goat Note, Deborah explains why two goats with the same fecal egg count can have very different parasite burdens and very different treatment needs. You'll also learn why a goat with a relatively low egg count may still require immediate attention.This episode builds on the previous Goat Note about the difference between parasite resistance, parasite resilience, and dewormer resistance. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, it's a great place to start because it lays the foundation for understanding why fecal egg counts don't tell the whole story.In this episode, you'll learn:What a fecal egg count actually measures—and what it doesn'tWhy parasite egg counts don't always reflect how sick a goat isHow parasite resilience affects treatment decisionsWhy a low fecal egg count doesn't always mean a goat is healthyWhat other factors should be considered before deciding to deworm a goatWhy "It depends" is often the most accurate answer when someone asks whether a goat needs treatmentGoat Note TakeawayTreat the goat—not the fecal egg count.A fecal egg count is an important management tool, but it should never be used by itself to decide whether a goat needs to be dewormed. Always consider the whole animal, including FAMACHA score, body condition, age, production stage, appetite, and other clinical signs before making treatment decisions.Thanks for tuning in!If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy🔹Looking for Deborah's books?  They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.Happy goat-keeping! 🐐 

How to Use Kickstarter for Farm Projects

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/kickstarter-for-farm-projects/-- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Show NotesKickstarter can be a useful option for farmers who have a creative project in mind but want to test demand before making a large investment. Instead of taking out a loan for equipment, products, or a new farm experience, a campaign can help show whether enough people are interested to make the idea worth pursuing.In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann talks with Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, about how the platform works and how it can be used for farm-related projects. They discuss why Kickstarter is designed for specific, creative projects rather than general business expenses, and why having an existing audience is one of the strongest predictors of a campaign’s success.Deborah also shares what she learned from using Kickstarter to fund a glamping tent for her farm. She explains how the campaign helped her confirm that people were interested in staying on the farm before she purchased the tent. Oriana discusses how to choose a realistic funding goal, create appealing rewards, build trust with potential backers, and avoid common mistakes such as setting a goal that does not match the size of your audience.They also talk about the difference between Kickstarter and GoFundMe, whether a campaign needs a video, how far in advance creators should begin preparing, and what to do if a project does not reach its goal. Oriana shares practical advice for first-time creators, including backing other campaigns, creating a detailed budget, involving your audience early, and beginning promotion long before the campaign launches.Featured Guest Oriana Leckert is the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter. She works with creators to help them understand crowdfunding, plan successful campaigns, and bring creative projects to life. Although her primary focus is publishing, she shares strategies that can also be applied to farm products, agritourism experiences, events, and other creative agricultural projects.Resources & LinksKickstarterKickstarter Creator ResourcesCheck out our Goats 365 membershipThanks for tuning in!If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy🔹Looking for Deborah's books?  They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.Happy goat-keeping! 🐐 

Parasite Resistance, Resilience, and Dewormer Resistance

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/parasite-resistance-resilience-and-dewormer-resistance/-- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Show NotesHave you ever heard someone talk about parasite resistance in goats, only to have someone else start talking about dewormer resistance? Although they sound similar, they're describing completely different things.In this first official Goat Note, Deborah explains three concepts that every goat owner should understand:Parasite resistance – A goat's ability to limit the number of parasites living inside its body.Parasite resilience – A goat's ability to stay healthy and productive despite carrying a parasite burden.Dewormer resistance – The worms' ability to survive treatment with a deworming medication.Understanding the difference isn't just about using the right terminology. These concepts affect breeding decisions, parasite management, and how we preserve the effectiveness of the dewormers we still have available.In this episode, you'll learn:Why parasite resistance and resilience are not the same thingHow parasite-resistant goats help reduce pasture contaminationWhy resilient goats can still shed large numbers of parasite eggsWhy dewormer resistance is a problem with the parasites—not the goatsHow confusing these terms can lead to poor management decisionsGoat Note TakeawayParasite resistance and parasite resilience are traits of the goat. Dewormer resistance is a trait of the worms.Once you understand that distinction, many of the recommendations you hear about breeding, parasite control, and selective deworming become much easier to understand.If you enjoyed this Goat Note, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future short episodes where Deborah breaks down one goat question, one common misconception, or one research-based concept in about 10 to 15 minutes.ResourcesLearn more about parasite management at Goat Worms: A Complete Guide to Winning the War in Your PastureExplore the Parasites in Goats course at Goats365.com.link to previous parasite episodes …Episode 113 - Pasture Management for Parasite ControlEpisode 95 - 5-Point Check for ParasitesEpisode 6 - Natural Parasite Control with LespedezaEpisode 153 - Dewormer Resistance: A Goat Owner’s ExperienceEpisode 68 - New Goat Dewormer GuidelinesEpisode 24 - Using Dewormers CorrectlyEpisode 114 - Goat Worms: Myths and Misunderstandings Thanks for tuning in!If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy🔹Looking for Deborah's books?  They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.Happy goat-keeping! 🐐 

Email Marketing for Farm Businesses

Got a question? 🤔 Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/email-marketing-for-farm-businesses/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! Show NotesEmail marketing has always been a valuable way for farm businesses to connect with customers, but the rise of AI is changing what stands out in the inbox. As more businesses rely on AI-generated content, authentic emails that sound personal and human can be even more effective.In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes back email marketing expert Liz Wilcox to talk about what has changed since her first appearance four years ago. They discuss why email remains more dependable than social media, how often farm businesses should contact subscribers, and why sharing real stories, personal updates, and original farm photos can help build stronger connections.Liz also shares practical ideas for growing an email list, especially for local businesses selling goat cheese, goat milk soap, goat-related experiences, or other farm products and services. She explains how farmers markets, local events, and collaborations with other small businesses can help attract subscribers, and why even a list of 20, 50, or 100 people is worth using.They also discuss what to write in a weekly email, how to restart a list after months of silence, and why every business should have a welcome email. Liz explains how AI can be useful for brainstorming and ideas, but emphasizes the importance of editing carefully so the final message still sounds like you.Resources & LinksLiz Wilcox’s Email Marketing MembershipEmail: The GOAT for Marketing Your Goat Business (previous podcast episode)Check out our Goats 365 membershipThanks for tuning in!If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy🔹Looking for Deborah's books?  They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.Happy goat-keeping! 🐐