Dakota Morning Farm is where Mary Kittelson lives and works. A typical sunrise finds her outside, whether it is a stunningly beautiful summer sunrise or no actual sunrise at all because a blizzard is in progress.
She steps outside her door and is surrounded before it closes behind her. Dogs, cats, a goose or two, maybe a horse if one has managed to open the gate again and of course any of the kids who aren’t in with the rest of the herd yet.
Kids indeed. These kids technically belong to the goat does who gave birth to them, but they are Mary’s kids. She laughs and says, “I tell my sons they’ve been replaced by goats!” The goats require about the same amount of attention as raising children, maybe more.
Suffering from ‘empty nest syndrome’ in the spring of 2005, Mary figured out a way to help ease it. She noticed the big barn, on the farmstead where she and her husband Brian Kittelson live, was also suffering from ‘empty nest syndrome’. She began thinking of ways to fill it up. Filling up her time was also a goal.
After some research Mary Kittelson decided to try dairy goats. She narrowed her field further to the Alpine breed, a mountain goat that can take the North Dakota weather. She found a source in Minnesota
The barn got cleaned and renovated in anticipation of its new occupants. Fences got fixed and reinforced. Goats can and will climb, jump, go under and through just about any obstacle. Mary grins and chuckles, saying, “If you can’t find your goat, look on top of your vehicle!”
After picking up the ‘babies’ Mary bottle fed them and watched them grow and become bonded with her. They also bond with their guardian dog Athena, a Great Pyrenees who takes her responsibility seriously. It’s in her breeding, and she lives up to the reputation for protectiveness of her charges. Nobody’s going to hurt HER kids!
When the does got old enough, Mary ordered a registered Alpine buck. Her herd is now 28 goats strong and she has been selling some of them.
Goats are versatile. They are used for meat, milk, and cheese. They can be trained to be pack animals for camping/hiking expeditions. Mary mentions, “I want to train them to carry my tools and supplies for me when I go out to fix fence.”
A goat makes a wonderful 4H project. A wether from a breed used for meat would be the best choice for a project as it can be sold at the end of the season. Registered animals are not required for 4H projects.
Goats also make great professional companions for race horses, a tradition that got started for a good reason. It works. A goat can calm another animal, provide the soothing ‘herd animal’ contact for a more high-strung companion. Mary suggests that’s where the phrase ‘get your goat’ comes from. A horse might become upset if someone stole his security blanket, and not run as well.
Mary milks the does daily. Her original two does give her more than a gallon per day each.
The milk is used for feeding the kids after pasteurization, to meet Mary’s strict rules for keeping every step in her program sanitary. It’s also healthier for them and is a natural way of socializing them with humans. Since the kids don’t require all the milk produced Mary drinks some of it, gives some away, and makes soap with some of it.
Goat milk produced at Dakota Morning Farm comes from goats that have never been given antibiotics. Kittelson chooses holistic treatments for any problems, using natural salves and adding nothing that is not natural to treatments or feed.
Goat milk is very similar to cow milk but much more easily digested. The smaller size of the particles makes the difference. Studies on Crohn’s Disease have shown that one of the factors in the smaller rate of occurrence in Europe as opposed to the United States
In most places in the United States North Dakota
The home-made soap is high in glycerin, which is a humectant that draws moisture to the skin. It is very mild, has none of the harsh chemicals of a detergent-based bar of soap. The natural fat particles of goat milk soften skin.
Kittelson would like to address some rumors regarding goats. “Goats have gotten a bum rap,” she says. “They do not eat tin cans, for example. As for stinking, a buck in rut is the only time that happens! They do, however, prefer flowers to grass, so use a fence!”
Goats need to be properly cared for, trained, socialized, and perhaps most importantly well-fenced! As pets, the best place for them is outside. While Mary brings new-born kids into her home for feeding and socialization, as soon as they’re able to get up onto the couch out they go! Goats require regular hoof-trimming, and should be de-horned at a young age. They love attention from their people and respond in kind.
“Goats are the funnest, most personable, loving and kind animals,” says Kittelson. “I had eleven kids in the house. One of them had a problem with her back leg strength and couldn’t get up onto her feet. One of the others was ALWAYS with her, not always the same one. It’s like they took turns keeping her company while she couldn’t get up to play with them. She was never left all alone. And the buck will protect the herd.”
Athena, the Great Pyrenees in charge of the farmyard, is an effective backup for the protective buck. She’s big, beautiful, and instinctively knows her business. She’s friendly and happy to meet new people, but until she’s sure there’s no threat to her charges, she will somehow manage to remain between a visitor and those she’s there to protect.
Dakota Morning Farm is a great place to visit. You can contact Mary at dakotamorning@gmail.com if you'd like. Watching the goats at play is a treat; they're very photogenic. Some are outright hams!
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