For the Love of Goats

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/fecal-egg-count/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Show Notes
If 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't
Why parasite egg counts don't always reflect how sick a goat is
How parasite resilience affects treatment decisions
Why a low fecal egg count doesn't always mean a goat is healthy
What other factors should be considered before deciding to deworm a goat
Why "It depends" is often the most accurate answer when someone asks whether a goat needs treatment

Goat Note Takeaway
Treat 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! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/kickstarter-for-farm-projects/-- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Show Notes
Kickstarter 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 & Links
Kickstarter
Kickstarter Creator Resources
Check out our Goats 365 membership

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! 🐐

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 Notes
Have 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 thing
How parasite-resistant goats help reduce pasture contamination
Why resilient goats can still shed large numbers of parasite eggs
Why dewormer resistance is a problem with the parasites—not the goats
How confusing these terms can lead to poor management decisions
Goat Note Takeaway
Parasite 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.
Resources
Learn more about parasite management at Goat Worms: A Complete Guide to Winning the War in Your Pasture
Explore the Parasites in Goats course at Goats365.com.
link to previous parasite episodes …Episode 113 - Pasture Management for Parasite Control
Episode 95 - 5-Point Check for Parasites
Episode 6 - Natural Parasite Control with Lespedeza
Episode 153 - Dewormer Resistance: A Goat Owner’s Experience
Episode 68 - New Goat Dewormer Guidelines
Episode 24 - Using Dewormers Correctly
Episode 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! 🐐

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 Notes
Email 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 & Links
Liz Wilcox’s Email Marketing Membership
Email: The GOAT for Marketing Your Goat Business (previous podcast episode)
Check out our Goats 365 membership

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! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-tour-portugal/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
If you've ever dreamed of combining your love of goats with a European adventure, this episode is for you.
In today’s episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Janelle Holden, author of the From Montana to Portugal Substack newsletter, to talk about an exciting upcoming goat and sheep tour through Portugal. Together, they share how the idea came about, what participants can expect, and why Portugal offers such a unique opportunity to learn about small-ruminant agriculture while experiencing the country's incredible culture, food, and scenery.
The tour will take travelers through Portugal’s mountainous Serra da Estrela region and the agricultural heartland of Alentejo, where they’ll visit goat and sheep farms, learn about traditional cheese making, tour a renowned wool factory, and discover heritage breeds that have been raised in Portugal for centuries. Along the way, they’ll also experience local wineries, cork forests, castles, and some of the country’s most celebrated cuisine.
Deborah and Janelle discuss the value of visiting farms in different parts of the world, seeing a variety of production systems firsthand, and learning from producers who have adapted to unique climates, landscapes, and traditions. They also talk about Portugal’s distinctive cheese-making practices, including the use of thistle rennet, as well as the important role goats and sheep continue to play in preserving local culture and agriculture.
Whether you're interested in goats, sheep, fiber arts, artisan cheese, wine, agritourism, or simply exploring a beautiful country with like-minded people, this episode offers a preview of an unforgettable experience.
Featured Guest
Janelle Holden – Author of the From Montana to Portugal Substack newsletter, agricultural entrepreneur, and Portugal resident who specializes in helping visitors discover the country's culture, food, and agricultural traditions.
Trip Information & Registration
Goat Tour to Portugal: October 25–November 1, 2026
Tour Registration & Deposithttps://thriftyhomesteader.thrivecart.com/portugal-trip/ 

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! 🐐