Haute Goat
Have you ever Schmurgled a Goat?
By Gertrude Bytes
If you have never been to Haute Goat, I strongly suggest you plan a day trip to visit. The farm is the most unusual, fun place I’ve been for quite awhile. Their livestock are not your usual group - Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Huacaya Alpacas, Exotic Chickens, Icelandic Horses, Apiary, Tornjak Livestock Guardian Dogs and a big, silly mule named “Lucy”. Debbie is an energetic woman who is a self proclaimed Ex-Pat from Toronto. Debbie has always loved animals and her husband, Shane, never did. One day Shane asked her if she wants to get a place in the country, and Debbie says she almost lost her mind and couldn’t believe it. Three weeks later they bought their first farm. She says she broke every rule of being a farmer, and bought the Alpacas because they are cute. As she got to know more about them, they are very fascinating animals with very diverse personalities.
Photo by Pat Street
I met up with Debbie Nightingale amidst the construction of a new building. It will be a restaurant, coffee shop and store where you can buy Alpaca socks and insoles, goat milk soap, skin care, goat milk butter caramel corn and other items. They have 200 scenic acres with walking trails all throughout the property. Guests can walk, cross country ski, photography clubs or bike. Debbie also has farmers who do stuff on the property, such as growing buckwheat, and apiaries. When the buckwheat comes up, and the flowers are there, it’s like a carpet of bees with an amazing hum in the air. While you are there, go for an Experience: The Alpaca Knuffle Shuffle. Alpacas have an incredible ability to bring balance and calm through the connection created on a hike through the fields in the beautiful rolling hills on the farm. The Goat Shmurgle. Experience the joy of connecting with the Nigerian Dwarf Goats in a playground designed just for them. Debbie made up the name ‘Shmurgle’ for the goat Experience. She says she made the name up because it sounds happy and fun. This leads to the next Experience, Goat Yoga! Goat Yoga is in the goat playground. The goats are curious, engaging and totally game to do downward goat with you.
Farm Life Workshops offer classes to make goats milk, soap, jam, and sushi making. Or spend the day in the Horse Whisperer class, learning to connect with them. Making the Transition From City to Country. This Workshop was started to teach people about farm life. Debbie just loves to make people happy. There is something about the goats that captures your heart. For those of you who just can’t get enough, they have AirBNB rooms. www.hautegoat.com Page 39
