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In the beginning there was Maybelle...............

Our first dairy goat arrived when we wanted something organic to eat poison oat.  Judi was very allergic to the poison oak and we were sixties activists and didn't want to use an herbicide.  The Lucky Star's Maybelle was found in the country tied to a tree.  We later found out she had parasites, horns, untrimmed feet and was probably a Saanen/Alpine cross, who was way too small for her age. 

The local feed store told us to come back when "Mary was there as she was the goat expert".  The next stop was the library where we picked up the David MacKenzie book and found out just how much we didn't know about this little creature we had brought home.  Well, there was no turning back as we had fallen in love with Maybelle and were sure we could do a better job of caring for her.

We built her a house and returned to the feed store to meet Mary (Konnersman) Keehn.  We were directed to Sam and Michelle Ferguson for a "weaned whether" for a companion for Maybelle.  These wonderful helpful people soon had us going to goat club meetings, and then to that fateful first show.  We loved the people and camaraderie of the shows and still do to this day.  A barn was built, fences put in and a milk room established.  More goats followed!

At a goat club picnic one summer Don allowed Judi to buy one ticket on a raffle for Tan-Oak's Sacha.  (By this time there were already more Alpines and a Nubian at the "farm".)  Of course Judi won the raffle (living under a Lucky Star does have its advantages).  That first Lamancha sealed our fate.  She went home to join the collection.  Her personality was a winner from the beginning and we were so intrigued by this little doe we started considering getting more Lamanchas. We were also worried about how to breed Sacha as the only buck in the area was her father, not a likely option for us.

In true Don and Judi style, we decided the solution lay in taking an A.I. class and buying semen to breed her.  Never mind the closest semen tank was a long way away and we had no idea what we were doing.  We purchased the only Lamancha semen the processors were offering ++*B Little Orchard S Sea Skipper.  When Sacha came into heat we drove to the semen tank put the semen straw in our pocket and drove home. The following spring a lovely light red doe kid was born (remember we do live under a Lucky Star).  The first "Lucky Star" Lamancha had been born-Oh you want to know her name well for awhile it was just Rosa but it would become more--GCH Lucky Star's Rosa Maria 4*M (LA 92) and to this day every Lamancha in the herd is a descendant of hers.  It is hard not to be hooked when you start out with a doe that nice.  We started adding bucks and the Alpines were traded for more Lamanchas and the NOA Saanen , Maybelle was also bred Lamancha.  Just a side note-- that first doe Maybelle-well she also became a GCH as did her first Lamancha cross daughter-Snowbelle.

In the intervening years we have raised 2 children and had 2 partners help us care for the farm.  We moved the herd in 1984  from Humboldt county, California to Port Angeles, Washington, where we are now nestle in the Olympic mountains.  We had added a few more Nubians and then they were also sold and Chris added Lamanchas.  Jay always had Lamanchas.  Our first partner, Dan, raised Saanens under the name "Kid City", those also left to make space for Lamanchas and in the end even the grades gave way to just Lamanchas. 

Each family has their favorites and much trading and shuffling takes place.  The boys had a line of does coming down from Tinsel named after their Christmas presents that year, yo-yos. So Yo-Yo and all her first doe kids were named after yo-yo tricks.  This is how you end up with a National Champion named "Crazy Cradle".  This eventually gave way to fantasy books and fairy tales as well.  Don had a line of wines, Judi flowers and so on.  So if you ever wonder about the Lucky Star names you now know what happened.  Little boys have funny ideas about what goats should be called.

Today the farm is run by Don, Judi and partner John.  John does show when forced and certainly takes the does to the bucks as directed and feeds, but his main job is getting the goats to and from shows safely and fixing and fixing and fixing the endless things on the farm.  All the breeding decisions are still made by Don and Judi hashing it out.  The goats have always been more Don's and he is the main milker and does all the show preparation-yes he does most of the clipping and hoof trimming.  Judi is the more public face answering the phone, e-mails and showing the goats.  Don will show up at Nationals and does make an appearance at state fair, but as he says staying home, drinking wine on the deck appeals more to him then the local shows.

In addition to the goats...............

We have made our own wine under the label--Stella Fortunata.  We have large orchard (50 plus trees) and many flower and vegetable gardens.  Judi is learning to quilt with her mother, John is into wood working, rifle building and other metal work.  Don spends his time with the goats, finding good wine to buy and trying to keep up with Judi's never ending list of community service activities.

In addition we, all three, have had careers that demanded lots of travel and big time commitments.  We are all enjoying semi-retirement.  Both Judi and John have now retired from the corporate world and run their own small businesses.  Don still  maintains his career with a company he loves.  Don and Judi have one granddaughter and John has one grandson.  We are lucky in that they all live locally (western Washington).  Chris keeps his horse at the farm and milks regularly and has now taken a great interest in the orchard.  Jay and his wife are both in the Navy and that plus their daughter keeps them both busy off the farm for now. 

In general...............

Judi also likes to do a rather complicated display at state fair each year.  John and Don don't really like having to put it up and take it down, but she keeps winning first place so is always encouraged to do more!  She thinks it is fun.  Don likes to point out the spray paint alone costs more then the premium.

We milk in a non Grade A dairy that is designed more for our entertainment and convenience rather then to Grade A standards.  Don loves to put the ribbons up to remind him why he milks everyday!  

If you are ever in the area please stop by and visit, or even better yet, make a special trip just to see the Olympic Peninsula and add a stop to see us while you are here!