High Hopes Farm

05/17/2026

Facebook reminded me that it's been awhile since the last post. Never fear! All is well at High Hopes! The last of the bucklings will be weaned at the beginning of June and that coincides with when the first five does will be turned in with Tommy. It has taken a few years to slowly make adjustments to the breeding schedule; however, we're on track now for a November, December, and January kidding season. But, for the time being, we're just going to concentrate on being fat and happy!

Video in the comments for those who like talkies.

04/20/2026

The herd looks so small! There are 15 does, 2 retirees, and 10 kids in the main herd now. Then, 2 bucks in the summer buck pasture. No buck pictures today, but they are big, healthy boys enjoying spring!The Anywhere Except the Coop Cats and I walked the big pasture to see how it is holding up. It is doing well, but the herd is really zeroing in on the chicory and alfalfa first; then, they're eating what's left over (timothy, orchard grass, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil).

A few videos in the comments.

04/11/2026

If you need brush cleared, you'll not find a better, more reliable work crew than a mob of goats! Twenty-six hard working High Hopes goats have joined the Goats on the Go - Dubuque herd and will be munching their way across Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones Counties in Iowa this summer. If you are in need of targeted grazing services in those areas, GOTG-Dubuque will be happy to talk to you and give you a quote.
If you don't live in Iowa, never fear! Go to www.goatsonthego.com and search for an affiliate near you!

If you want a few goats of your own, High Hopes has 7 kids which will be available in June (4 bucklings) and July (3 doelings).

Goats On The Go® and its affiliates throughout the U.S. (and beyond) use goats to control nuisance and invasive vegetation on customers’ properties. No matter what you call it — targeted grazing, prescribed grazing, rxgrazing, conservation grazing, goat browsing, goat rental, rent-a-goat, goats...

03/22/2026

Love is in the air for Prince Charming and Peony! Their honeymoon suite just needs a gate and then they can move in. If I can convince him to move in. He is a very independent guy. I've been shopping for other, easier to catch options for Peony. She should start laying eggs again next month so time is running out. I've got to get this show on the road!

03/15/2026

The first round of bucklings was weaned last Sunday. It's been a little noisy at High Hopes this week, but they are settling down now. The last round of kids was turned out of the maternity pens yesterday and they are learning how to play well with others! Head butting video in the comments.

03/15/2026

The hens are still laying in high gear! Remember, eggs keep well for at least a month. So, with Easter only 3 weeks away, you may want to start stocking up.

Today, I put 3 dozen in the instant pot (the easiest way I've found for hard "boiling" fresh eggs). That resulted in a plate of deviled eggs, a big bowl of egg salad, and a little bowl of hard eggs. We always have "breakfast for dinner" once a week. I usually rotate through these meals: egg, sausage, cheese biscuits or bagels; French toast and bacon; ham, egg, cheese casserole; scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast; omelets and hashbrowns; scrambled eggs, sausage gravy and biscuits.

I'm not delivering eggs to homes any more, but you are always welcome to pick them up at the farm. Just let me know how many you need and which day you want to get them.

Mixed size dozen (3 smalls, 3 larges, 6 mediums) - $2

Half and Half dozen (6 mediums, 6 larges) - $3

Large dozen - $4

03/07/2026

Myrtle picked the perfect day to wrap up kidding season today with a set of boy/girl twins! Final Bow and his sister, Curtain Call were born, cleaned, dried, and fed by the time I got home at noon! Good Job, Myrtle!