Week #45 - Got your Goat!

Many people ask us why we raise goats? 

So this week, I decided to run through the top five reasons we enjoy raising dairy goats:  

1. Goats can clear brush and grass from an area very efficiently and effectively. We rotate them around our farm using electric mesh fence and they clear weeds and long grass from any area we put them in. Goats are browser as oppose to grazers so they will eat woody growth such as bushes and small trees as well. Because they are effective browsers their input costs (what it costs to feed them) tends to be lower than other animals who eat only grass or require formulated feed. 
2. Goats produce a creamy milk that tends to be easier to digest particular to those that find they have sensitivities to milk or lactose. Goat's milk is higher in calcium, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin C than cow's milk. 
3. Goat's milk is easy to convert to other yummy things! We use our goat's milk to make yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and caramels along with less yummy but no less useful items such as soap!  
4. Goats are smaller and need less equipment and fencing than cows (when they stay inside the fence!) Given their smaller size, they tend to be easier to handle and milk as well as moving from one area to another.
5. Goats are entertaining! I think I could spend (have spent) hours watching a herd of goats interact with each other. They all have such unique personalities and are expressive animals. We enjoy their antics (except their escapes) and they really become part of the family. 

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Week #19 - Candied delights

We are always looking to add value to what we produce on the farm and continue to explore what we can make from the various animal and plant byproducts we raise. 

Over the past year I've been experimenting with using our goat's milk to create caramel candies. My family has 'suffered' greatly acting as guinea pigs for various recipes until we created one that seems to the be favorite! 

We continue to experiment with the most efficient and economical way to package them but it seems like parchment paper has been the most effective. We can get about 150 candies out of each batch and we've got it down to a science on how to quickly wrap and package them all. 

As we don't always have a fresh goat's milk available we have experimented with freezing our raw milk and using it throughout the winter.. I can't tell the difference in the caramels so it seems to be a great way to extend our production all year round! 

Interested in trying some of our caramels.... you can check out our products page for more information!

Week #1 -2015 FFF CSA - What's in the Box - The First Edition (of the Year)

This week marks the official start of the Fenez Follies Farm CSA 2015 season.  This week each of our shareholders will receive their first box of bounty from our farm. In the beginning of the season, the boxes are light and full of green leafy vegetables. As the season progresses, the boxes get heavier and dense with food as it becomes ready. By the end of the season, you will need a good strong back to haul the squash, pumpkins, potatoes and tomatoes away!

For those of you who are new to this, each week we share a blog about what is in each box and share a bit of information and tips on what you might be able to do with the treats you find in the box. 

This week you will find some rhubarb stalks in the box. For those not familiar with what to do with rhubarb... well the sky is the limit! Rhubarb makes yummy cobbler or jam, is wonderful in muffins, cakes, pies, or cookies... heck I've even seen recipes for rhubarb pickles or wine! It has a tart taste which can be sweetened with sugar or by mixing with other fruit such as berries. If you need a little help with some ideas or details, check out the Rhubarb Compendium for a great collection! 

Given this is the first box of the season, we've slipped in some treats for you and some feathered friends! For you, there is a sample bag of our very own Goat's Milk Caramels! These are a new creation on the farm and I'd love to know what you think! While goat milk is yummy enough, we were looking for a even more delicious way to use all the milk that our lovely nanny goat, Chocolate gives us! Given that these are made with milk, we ask that you keep them refrigerated... if they even make it that far! Interested in having more, check out our Product page for more info! 

For your feathered friends, we've created a bird seed heart to hang in your tree to feed the birds! Why? Well, mostly because I saw it on Pinterest and thought it was a neat idea to try.... :) 

So in summary... What's in the Box this week?

• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Lettuce (mixed greens in bag)
• Spinach (in bag)
• Zucchini (for full boxes) 
• Beets (remember you can eat the beet greens too!)
• Herbs in the red cup: 
• Oregano
• Chives
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Dill
• and as a special homemade treat for you and the birds!  

Notes to our CSA Share holders: 

We pick the vegetables within 24 hours of the box being delivered. We do rinse the produce but it would be important to wash all vegetables before you eat them. Keeping the herbs (ends) in a cup of clean water will keep them fresh longer.

Please return your empty box along with all re-usable containers (pails, cups, bags etc) so that we can reuse them all over again. 

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Practice makes perfect...

FFF Photo a Day -Day 138

After four or five batches, I think I've finally perfected soft goat's milk caramels! 

Rainy, cold weather is good for something after all! 

Goat Milk Caramels

FFF Photo a Day - Day 111

Now that we have a steady supply of goat's milk, we've been enjoying fresh yogurt and creamy milk everyday. I'm looking forward to making some soap and cheese this weekend as well. 

Always on the hunt for something new, I tried making goats milk caramels the other night. While they are tasty, I'm hoping to make them again and see if I can make a softer version, much like the traditional cadbury version.