Saturday, August 1, 2020
By Kathy Crise
Josh and I moved our family to Lee during the fall of 2000. Amelia and Kevin were just a toddler and infant! Lee is the town that I grew up in and where the majority of my family was still living. Josh began commuting (flying) to NYC from Maine each week for work and the kids and I settled into my parents’ home for the winter. Each week Josh would fly home Thursday afternoon and return to the big city Sunday afternoon! Who knew that this beginning so many years ago would lead to our need to expl read more...
Magnetic signs to promote Kiko sales
Featured in the August issue of Goat Rancher (page 20-21).
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
A batch of goat burger balls for Spaghetti!!
Often I am asked by family, friends and even colleagues, why would you eat goat? Or the statement might be announced in a different way ... "I would never eat goat! Goats are too cute." And then, the conversation turns to a bit of curiosity ... "Well, what does goat meat taste like?" So let's explore why you might eat goat meat and what it tastes like in a bit more detail.
Interestingly enough, goat meat, chevon or cabrito, which is considered red meat, is eaten more widely than any other mea read more...
By Josh Crise
Meat Comparison Table* (per 3 oz. roasted meat or seafood)
Featured in the July issue of Goat Rancher (page 9).
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Monday, June 1, 2020
Snow in Maine ... May 12
Happy Mother’s Day! Just another beautiful May Day here in central Maine! So far today we have six fresh inches of snow! November, December and even January snow is beautiful but this Poor Man’s Fertilizer is NOT beautiful in May! The snowbanks just melted away last week and the grass is finally turning green!
Our herd is still in their winter barn areas. Zulu, our buck, is just a watchful eye away from the big herd and he is raring to get out to the greens! His side of the barn area leads to read more...
Featured in the June issue of Goat Rancher (pages 26-28).
By Kathy Crise
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Friday, May 1, 2020
Goat pile on the ranchers
Often, I am asked the same two initial questions when I am chatting with friends, customers and even co-workers about life on the farm or ranch. First ... why goats? And second ... why Kikos (key-kos)?
You may have your own answer to the first question already. Or you might be like many others who are just getting started, asking, well, why small ruminants and not cattle or some other type of livestock? Any goat lover, owner or rancher could answer the first question for any variety of reason read more...
By Josh Crise
Featured in the May issue of Goat Rancher (pages 24-25).
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Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Adapted from Sketchite
There are certain times during the year the bugs in Maine are horrendous, so you often find yourself swatting, slapping and just being aggravated for a few weeks. The problem is that in this area of Maine, you are constantly saying … well, I can’t do this or that outside because it is below zero, raining, too hot, too muggy, snowing, the bugs will carry you away, etc. The list never ends for why you can’t do something in the great outdoors. For those that know me, I am always working on somethin read more...
By Josh Crise
Featured in the April issue of Goat Rancher (pages 24-25).
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Sunday, March 1, 2020
Protein is one of the vital sources of nutrition we need for a balanced diet in our everyday lives. Should a catastrophic disaster strike the United States, or any other region of the world, a balanced diet would be the least of our concerns. The body can live without protein for a maximum of 70 days. After that, the body begins to break down muscle fiber so it can survive. Of course, we have 100s, likely 1000s of choices for protein to help us survive, should Zombies take over … yes, I enjoy a read more...
By Josh Crise
Featured in the March issue of Goat Rancher (pages 19 and 32).
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Saturday, February 1, 2020
Amelia making friends with the locals
Shortly after beginning our journey into the goating world in 2015, I was blessed with the unique opportunity to travel to India with my dad. We started our two-week stay in India by traversing as tourists. We experienced the hustle and bustle of the city touring through New Delhi by rickshaw, explored beautiful temples, took the most amazing two-hour train ride to Agra where we were able to view and experience the breathtaking architecture of the Taj Mahal (a once in a lifetime must-see). To to read more...
By Amelia Crise
Featured in the February issue of Goat Rancher (pages 27-30).
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Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Mama, Mama, Mama I want some
About four years ago my father, Joshua Crise, began his research for what would prove to be both a successful and satisfying adventure. Goats! Meat goats, in particular, were the next bit of life that would make their way to our small ranch in Lee, Maine. But first, he had to decide what breed would best fit our environment, as well as, our lifestyle. In late 2015 to early 2016, he had it narrowed down to two breeds: Kikos or Boers. In the end, it was an easy choice. He landed on Kikos for se read more...
By Amelia Crise
Featured in the January issue of Goat Rancher (pages 12-14).
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Sunday, December 1, 2019
Fencing that runs through wooded areas is always susceptible to being damaged by falling trees and limbs. Repairs must be made quickly.
As December and ultimately Winter approaches in the Northeast, I find myself making lists and checking them twice, to see who has been naughty or nice! Wait, that isn’t quite the right list. Instead, I am meticulously working through our farm-related to-dos … well let’s face it, I like to believe I am anyways. I am always trying to check off an item or two a night and a few items over the weekend, with the hopes of being prepared for the cold months better than I was last year and better than th read more...
By Josh Crise
Featured in the December issue of Goat Rancher (pages 16 & 18).
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Friday, November 1, 2019
Qato, our junior herdsire, demonstrating his flawless Flehmen Response at the start of breeding season.
Goats are unique: from their color and body structure to their personalities. They can make you laugh. Sometimes you end up in the wrong place and get a bump or a hard knock, so at times, they definitely can make you cry. They are a ton of work and more importantly, they are a ton of fun and bring a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Now let’s go back a year, five years, ten years, or even thirty years. You’re a new goat owner. You’re puttering around at the barn. Let’s face it, t read more...
By Amelia Crise
Featured in the November issue of Goat Rancher (pages 32 & 42).
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