Our goats have made a home at the hillside garden.
In 2015, Allison organized at event at the Gill Tract in February, seed swap, letter writing to Gov. Brown to not frack California, fruit tree grafting & in honor of the Chinese New Year: GOATS! The Chinese New Year was the Year of Wood Goat: themes of collectivism & working together (as goats are social/herd animals), actions of leaping forward (very goaty thing to do), and on the theme of wood: new growth, orientation towards the youth & an auspicious time for visioning a better, greener future. So, I found a friend who had a friend who had goats! Bettina & Big Daddy were brought out, to many's delight! That connection led to me experimenting with them and their pernicious lurve of greens to working with them as goatscaping weeds & brush in April 2015...and then they became my co-workers! They were hired the majority of time I had them. Farmer John began to work with me and the goats and we began The Chewing Edge, as our goatscaping service. Then, in October, we got a male buck, Coconut, and he and my female goats made some babies... I was also working with 2 male wether brothers, but a friend adopted them back (the original owner) during these mama's kidding season (it's a lot to take on, especially for us first timers!)
So now we have our mamas, Bettina & Esperanza (aka Espy) & their babies, Honey Bunny/Maple & Coquita Rosa.
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| Bettina loves any old squishy fruit, bigger is good! |
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| Bettina and me! |
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| free foraging |
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| A fairly pregnant Espy on a goatscaping job |
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| Espy LURVES strawberry |
Waiting, waiting, waiting...Easter Morning: Coquita Rosa was born to Esperanza! Beyond amazing...
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| Coquita Rosa was born! |
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| Mama and baby |
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| Bettina is a patient and loving aunt, & at this point, had given up on Coquita not jumping on her pregnant body |
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| a reflection for future interactions |
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| Becca attempts to milk an uncomfortably full Espy while Coquita Rosa enjoys the newly appeared playground equipment |
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| Permie Poppins: toddlers come play with kids |
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| Neighborhood kids/teen sisters hanging with baby Coquita Rosa |
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| Friends who work farmers markets bring the leftover compost!! |
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| You are a rock! You are an isssslaaaaand! |
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| Went near poison oak, now its bath time. Water: bad, Soap & Rubs: good. | | | | | | | | | | |
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Bettina gives us Honey Bunny/Maple
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| Finally, at 1AM on Saturday morning, Bettina gave birth |
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| Little Honey Bunny, the day after her birth, snuggled up with Mom |
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| Honey Bunnny--the utlimate goat snuggler |
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| sleepy time! everyone get snuggly |
Now we're building a fence, with good will & trade from Carol. Come up and say hello!
The fence materials was an important investment, protecting goats from escaping to where they're not allowed & keeping predators or wild-roaming dogs out. It's really good quality, in terms of goats' safety and proper sturdiness created for animals. If you're willing to give, any donations would be greatly appreciated. You can send donations via Paypal to hillsidehomesteaders@gmail.com or come, snuggle goats & give in person! MUCH THANKS!!
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