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/We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected] 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Farming Background01:10 Scale and Seasonality of Goat Farming02:14 Cheese Making Process and Schedule04:22 Dairy Farming and Milk Consumption06:12 Midwest Dairy Culture and Goat Cheese07:32 Getting Started with Goats and Challenges09:37 Early Cheese Making and Milk Usage11:10 Path to Becoming a Farmer and Cheese Maker12:37 Developing Skills in Farming and Cheese Making14:48 Woofing and Learning from Other Farmers17:50 Sales and Marketing Challenges20:41 Increasing Sales and Marketing Strategies22:38 Marketing Meat Goats and Overcoming Challenges25:12 Balancing Farm Life and Marital Harmony26:54 The Challenges and Personalities of Goats31:36 Strategies for Managing Farm and Family Life43:55 The Unique Experiences of Farm Kids