Goats, Cheese, and Parenting on the Farm: A Chat with Katie Bonow

Katie Bonow, a goat farmer and cheese maker from Minnesota, discusses her farming practices and the challenges of marketing her products. She shares her experience of growing up on a dairy farm and how she got started with goats. Katie explains the seasonal nature of goat farming and the process of cheese making. She also talks about the different aspects of her business, including milking goats, making cheese, and selling her products. Katie discusses the importance of sampling and educating consumers about good goat cheese. She also shares her strategies for increasing sales and marketing her meat goats. Katie Bonow shares her experience of raising kids on a farm and balancing farm life with parenting. She discusses the challenges of marrying someone who is not a goat person and maintaining marital harmony. Katie also talks about the different breeds of goats and their personalities, as well as the importance of good fencing. She shares her strategies for managing farm and family life, including compartmentalizing tasks and taking care of oneself. Katie emphasizes the unique experiences and perspectives that farm kids have and the joy of watching her children grow up on the farm.

Follow Katie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/capra_nera_creamery/

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Takeaways

• Goat farming is a seasonal practice, with goats kidding in March and April and cheese making starting in June.
• Sampling is crucial for educating consumers about good goat cheese and overcoming misconceptions.
• Marketing and sales are important aspects of running a successful farming business.
• Building relationships with customers and clear communication are key to effective marketing.
• Selling meat goats is a new and challenging market, with direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships with chefs being effective strategies. Maintaining marital harmony in a mixed relationship requires understanding and compromise.
• Good fencing is essential for managing goats on a farm.
• Compartmentalizing tasks and focusing on specific seasons can help manage farm and family life.
• Taking care of oneself is crucial for balancing farm and family responsibilities.
• Raising kids on a farm provides unique experiences and perspectives.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Farming Background
• 01:10 Scale and Seasonality of Goat Farming
• 02:14 Cheese Making Process and Schedule
• 04:22 Dairy Farming and Milk Consumption
• 06:12 Midwest Dairy Culture and Goat Cheese
• 07:32 Getting Started with Goats and Challenges
• 09:37 Early Cheese Making and Milk Usage
• 11:10 Path to Becoming a Farmer and Cheese Maker
• 12:37 Developing Skills in Farming and Cheese Making
• 14:48 Woofing and Learning from Other Farmers
• 17:50 Sales and Marketing Challenges
• 20:41 Increasing Sales and Marketing Strategies
• 22:38 Marketing Meat Goats and Overcoming Challenges
• 25:12 Balancing Farm Life and Marital Harmony
• 26:54 The Challenges and Personalities of Goats
• 31:36 Strategies for Managing Farm and Family Life
• 43:55 The Unique Experiences of Farm Kids