Got a question? 🤔

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-in-nepal/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

When people think about international development work, they don’t always picture goats at the center of it. In this episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with Daniel Laney, founder of Worldwide Goat Project Nepal, about how a lifelong love of goats grew into a far-reaching program that is improving lives across rural Nepal.

Daniel shares how a childhood dream of visiting Nepal eventually combined with more than 50 years of raising dairy goats and decades as an ADGA judge. What began as an effort to support dairy goat genetics—specifically Saanen goats imported to Nepal—evolved into a comprehensive, community-based project focused on education, sustainable agriculture, clean water, and long-term self-reliance.

In their conversation, Laney explains the early challenges of introducing dairy goats in a region where goats had been raised for centuries, but never for milk. From nutrition and water access to housing, forage, and mineral supplementation, he describes how small management changes led to dramatic improvements in goat health and productivity. He also shares how crossing Saanens with local khari goats created hardy, dual-purpose animals better suited to local conditions.

This episode goes far beyond goats. Daniel talks about working with schools to provide daily meals, supplies, and hands-on agricultural education; partnering on clean water initiatives to reduce parasite illness; supporting women’s cooperatives through fair-trade crafts; and helping communities build sustainable systems that continue even when he’s not there.

Whether you’re interested in goats, international development, nonprofit work, or simply what it looks like to live with purpose well into your later years, this episode offers an inspiring look at how one person—and a lot of goats—can create lasting change.

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/medications-for-goats/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Pat Gorden of Iowa State University and Dr. Michelle Buckley of Cornell University to break down one of the most confusing topics for goat owners: medications and antibiotics.

You’ll gain a clearer understanding of how drug use works in goats, including what extra-label drug use actually means and when it is legal and appropriate. The discussion explains why toltrazuril (Baycox) is controversial and why the FDA has issued cease-and-desist letters related to its promotion, as well as how improper drug use can result in dangerous residues in milk and meat.

You’ll also hear why antibiotics became prescription-only, the public health concerns driving those changes, and why veterinarians cannot recommend expired antibiotics. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Gorden and Dr. Buckley emphasize the critical role of management, nutrition, and husbandry in preventing diseases like coccidiosis and reducing the need for antibiotics, while also addressing why social media advice is often misleading and why building a relationship with a knowledgeable goat veterinarian is essential.

If you’ve ever struggled to get prescriptions, wondered why dosing information for goats is so hard to find, or felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, this episode will give you the clarity and science you’ve been missing.

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-rescue/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply!

Description

When people think about animal rescue, they often picture a few animals and a lot of good intentions. In this episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with Deborah Blum, founder of Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sebastopol, California, about what it really takes to run a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary with dozens of goats and more than 150 animals total.

Deborah Blum shares how a simple love of goats turned into Goatlandia, a sanctuary that provides lifelong care for abused, neglected, stray, and surrendered farm animals. What began with just a few goats has grown into a complex operation involving quarantine protocols, disease management, veterinary partnerships, volunteers, fundraising, and constant decision-making about when to say yes—and when to say no.

In their conversation, Blum opens up about the realities of rescue work, including caring for goats with chronic diseases like CL, managing biosecurity, and helping animals recover not just physically, but emotionally. She also shares unforgettable rescue stories, from feral goats found wandering the woods to animals that survived severe injuries and neglect and went on to thrive at the sanctuary.

This episode also explores the behind-the-scenes work that many people never consider, such as building a reliable veterinary team, supporting staff and volunteers, educating the community, and creating sustainable revenue streams to keep a sanctuary running long-term.

Whether you’ve ever dreamed of starting a farm animal sanctuary, are involved in rescue work, or simply want a deeper understanding of what compassionate goat care looks like on a large scale, this episode offers an honest, thoughtful look at the challenges and rewards of running a goat rescue.

Goat Health & Disease Resources

• Testing Goats for CAE, CL, and Johne’s (podcast)
• Abscesses and CL in Goats (article)
• Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) in Goats (article)
• Johne’s Disease in Goats (podcast)

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! 🐐