So the windy and stormy season is upon us!  So far we have only one down branch that the goats are thoroughly enjoying.  My clean-up crew is very efficient!  This breeding season has started already even though we have not officially finished with kidding season for this one yet.  Our older girl, Dutchess, is pregnant and due mid-December.  We are hoping for an easy and successful kidding.  Then she will go on DHI milk test but unforunately will probably not be able to earn her milk star due to her age.  I have a special affinity to Miss Dutchess being an older mom myself.  Regardless, she will be put on milk test for my own knowledge and growth as a goat dairy farmer.  We have a lot of exciting projects coming this next year.  Most notably, I will be starting my own goat milk soap line and hopefully selling it here soon. 
     We will also be participating in linear appraisal this year with the ADGA.  We will be heading over to my good friend, Carol's farm who will be hosting.  Hopefully we will come home with some good marks and learn a lot from it.  Everyday is a learning experience on our farm and we feel fortunate to be able to have it.  Stay dry and warm this season.  Best wishes!

      Spring is well upon us at Franke Farm.  And with that, the first babies are off to their new homes and new adventures.  It is always a little bittersweet to watch them leave.  All of our time, effort and hard-work has helped create these amazing little creatures.  I know that they will enjoy their new surroundings but still its a void around the farm.  But we are looking forward to next year. 

     Next year is full of promise.  We have some wonderful new bucks to add to our lines.  We continue to redefine our feeding regimen and mineral supplementation.  We hope to add the creation of our very own goats milk soap line too.  So with each passing year, we continue to gain knowledge into these wonderful animals and challenge our own ideas of farming.  This has been an interesting journey so far and we are hoping for many more adventures to come.  Here's to a lovely spring!

     Summer wages on.  We have been making a lot of upgrades to our goat areas.  One thing that we are really excited to share is our new buck play structure.  Thanks to my lovely husband and father-in-law their new playground will be sturdy and quite fun!  We had an excellent kidding season.  So many healthy and spunky kids.  It is always such a joy to see them off to their new homes.  With only one doe left to go, we are winding down.  We are looking toward making the final preps for the up-coming winter.  Its strange to even think about the summer ending.  This year has been so hot and miserable.  I might be crazy to say this but I'm looking forward to the rain.  We will be making a lot of changes to our dairy herd over the next couple of years.  Starting DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) testing next year is really going to help us to focus and streamline our herd.  We are looking forward to the coming months.  So please check out our breeding schedule to make your free reservation.  And thank you for continuing to support our farm.  Take care,       ~ Franke Farm 

     So we've recycled our Christmas tree for another year and the goats seem quite happy about it!  Kidding season will begin any day now.  We're looking forward to a great year.  Afterall, it is the Chinese Year of the Goat, so it should be stellar.  The barn has been deep-cleaned and organized.  The goats are getting bigger by the day and we are so excited to get to meet their new little ones.  It is always such a treat.
     The turkeys are enjoying the pastures and foraging.  In a month, we should start seeing eggs.  This is an exciting new year with them.  We are enjoying working with the Midget White heritage breed.  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a happy soon-to-be spring:)   

     Winter is fast approaching here on the farm.. The goats and turkeys are enjoying their time in our second pasture until we shut it down next month.  The girls are mostly bred.  We are very excited to experience another kidding season this spring/summer.  We have decided to allow kiddings even into late summer to take advantage of the lovely warm weather.  Please take a look at our breeding page for future pairings.
     Our breeder turkeys have been selected and leg bands applied.  The other turkeys will be off to the processor soon and then enjoyed by us.  We are looking forward to tasting these excellent birds.  We have really enjoyed raising these turkeys.  Their behaviors are hilarious!  Our girls should begin laying this spring and poults will be available then.  Please check back soon!  We continue to broaden our genetic diversity by only introducing non-hatchery stock.  This continues to be a challenge due to the limited availability of these rare birds.  We hope that someday you get to enjoy them as much as we do.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Gobble, Gobble.....