C A E Negative 2013

We are happy to report our 8th (or is it 9th?) year of negative results for the CAE virus in our goats.  We did have the virus here in our initial goats, so breaking it early on was a heartbreaking experience.  Every day we are glad we made that decision.

Here is a link describing what the virus is & how if affects goats:
C A E Virus in Goats

We have our veterinarian Dr. Peter Brown come here and draw our results.  This is a combined farm visit where we assess any herd health concerns or overall herd management.  There are not words to describe how lucky we are to have quality vet care that makes farm calls 24/7/365.
Here is a link to the vet clinic we use:
Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Peter Brown at Gothberg Farms

Here are our CAE results for 2013:

Tube Feeding Sick/Weak Kids or Lambs

Here is probably the best instruction sheet I have ever seen for feeding sick or weak kids and lambs.  This is precisely the technique we have used here for our entire goat career.

Tube Feeding Sick or Weak Newborn Kids or Lambs
Click this link to open the page.

Gothberg Farms Kidding Supplies

More Gothberg Farms Kidding Supplies

You can get these supplies locally at Excel Dairy in Mt. Vernon WA.  Bud (the guy you will talk to) has been absolutely GREAT about learning what we need for our small ruminants & has begun stocking our supplies right here.  We are really lucky!

1st Annual "Mission Fondue" at Gothberg Farms

Goat Cheese Fondue-Oh My!

You may know I have been on "Mission Fondue" for a year or so now.   Because let's face reality: we have some really great cheeses and are perpetually experimenting around the kitchen with more and more ways to enjoy them.  Of course Gothberg Farms cheeses are quite prominent in the choices, but hey, we don't limit ourselves.  We love lots of cheeses.

Fondue revival has been on the radar.  OK, so I missed the Fondue Era of the 60's and 70'.  First of all I was too young to really get it.  Secondly, I was born and raised in Texas y'all.  I'm pretty sure they did not hear of the Fondue Era.  If you can't BBQ it, you probably don't eat it there.  Oh what a glorious life it was too.  

I digress.  Back to today.  A small group of us have taken interest in this new Winter Sport (living in the Pacific NW you improvise).  We have finally set a date to meet up, share ingredients and favorites, and share some communal fondue pots around the kitchen table.

So we are hereby declaring January 29th as National Fondue Day.

You lucky locals are invited to join us.  Must RSVP.

When:  January 29th (Tuesday)

Time:  4:00 pm until.......

Where:  At the Farm 15203 Sunset Road  Bow, WA

Bring:  Your favorite fondue makings (we have a few extra pots)

Beverages:  Bring one to share if you want to

Contact:  Rhonda at 360-202-2436  or rhonda@gothbergfarms.com

Lasagna, Cheese Boards, Cheesecakes........Oh My!

Holiday Set Up At Compass Wines

It's that special time of year when we meet up with friends & family, share special foods, enjoy the change of the Seasons, & generally stop to reflect on another year completed in our busy lives.  Here on the dairy that takes on special meaning.  This is when we get to slow down a bit, the goats are all pregnant, no longer milking for the year, growing their babies, & resting up themselves.  The work continues, but certainly at a much different pace.

It's no secret we love good food.  We love creating really good food.  We love sharing really good food.

Back by request we are now taking orders for our 5 Goat Cheese Lasagna, Chevre Cheesecakes, and Custom Cheese Boards!

5 Goat Cheese Lasagna:  We select at least 5 of our cheeses for this each year.  The red sauce is made on site with great ingredients.  The lasagna is assembled here, then frozen for you to take home to bake.  We make a variety of sizes, from 2-10 servings.  Several of us order more than one so we can have it again later in the year.  Good Idea!!!  Such a treat here at kidding time.

Chevre Cheesecakes:  These have turned out to be quite a popular item for us.  We make a Lemon-Chevre, an Orange-Franjelico, and an Orange-Amaretto.  Available sizes are tartlets (about 3 inch size) or an 8 inch full size.  The 8 inch contains a full pound of chèvre!!  With only 1/3 cup of sugar per 8 inch size or the same divided over a dozen tartlets, the main sweetness comes from the cheese.  We know from experience & your feedback, these also freeze quite well.

Cheese Boards:  Need an interesting and delicious cheese board for an event or just plain enjoyment?  We have you covered.  Let us know how many people, what you propose to pair it with, & we will help you select the perfect fare!  We can go as simple or elaborate as you wish.  Let's talk through some ideas.

Cheesecake Tartlets

Lasagnas and cheesecakes will be ready for pick-up Dec. 23.  Cheese boards require 3 days advance notice and can be picked up pretty much anytime by appointment.  We make a few "extra" lasagnas and freeze them ahead, so check to see if any are available.  Orders are already filling fast.

Thank you for your continued support.  You make each year worth it to come back and do it all again.

Goats For Sale

We have more great LaMancha goats here than we are going be able to keep this year.  2 mature does, 3 (with possibility of 6) doelings, 1 buckling, and 2 wethers (not for meat).

Gracee at Appraisal 8/12 (milked out)

Since I'm not smart enough to post a document into this space, email me and I'll send it over to you right away.

Some of the does are already bred, and the ones who aren't are old enough and could be bred here prior to leaving with you.

Yasmin at Appraisal 8/12 (milked out)

Or you can call me at 360-202-2436 if you want more info.

Chèvre & Fennel Tasting

I LOVE fennel.  I find it unique, healthy, interesting, & a great accompaniment to my cooking.  I had some ground fennel which I kept smelling.  It was enticing.  One thought led to another, as frequently happens here.  Thoughts trend to generally turn towards cheese for almost everything here too.  So then, how would a fennel cheese taste?  Our own cheese.  Hard cheese?  Soft, fresh cheese?  Ideas sometimes come faster than others.  It was chevre wrapping day, so, Voila!  The experiment was underway.

Gothberg Farms Chèvre-Fennel Experimentals

Flavor blends were imagined, and half-chevres were 'innoculated' with the chosen combinations.  They were wrapped like the rest of the cheeses and kept overnight for flavor blending.  Today Ginny, our new cheesemaker apprentice, and I set about evaluating each one.  Such a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Here are our raw notes with our initial evaluations:

Fennel (alone)   Earthy, anise, fresh, delicate.  Great as a stand-alone.  Pair with fresh pears, champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pear Brandy.

Fennel with White Pepper   Needed more fennel, maybe in a 2:1 ratio w/ the pepper.  Taste definitely finishes "pepper".  Nice, on the delicate side, pleasant lingering pepper flavor.

Fennel with Chives  Nicely balanced, still lets cheese flavor come through.  Chive gives savory notes to sweetness of the fennel.  Nice texture.  After taste is great, seems like Fall.
*Winner*  Would be great with salad, pasta, pizza, baguette, or on a plain bagel.

Fennel with Nettle  Just 'ok', especially after chive being so good.  Not the best texture.  Will not repeat this one.

Fennel with Chive & Parsley  Versatile taste but the parsley 'toned down' the chive too much.  OK, but not a favorite.

Fennel with Cilantro  Earthy, prominent, fennel rounds it out, more of a flavor statement than the chive.  Finish lingers nicely, lets cheese come through.  Would pair nicely with our Cinco de Mayo Gouda.

Fennel with Garden Herb (which is a blend of parsley, chive, & lovage)  Tastes like a Bite of Summer.  The heart of Summer. Evokes warm sun rays feeling.  Will definitely repeat.

Fennel with Calendula Petals  Used freshly dried petals.  Would have worked much better if set on chevre overnight to soften a bit.  Pleasant, mild, with a slight bitter taste at the end, though not at all unpleasant.  Just feels healthy!

Fennel with Chive and Calendula Petals  Again, soften petals on cheese first.  As tasty as it is beautiful!  The fennel almost hides, then subtly says "Fine Finish!".  All the flavors come together at the end.  *Winner*  Would pair nicely with our goats' milk Caerphilly.

Fennel with Cracked Pepper  Way better than the White Pepper.  Needs smaller mesh cracked pepper so it doesn't over-power.  Overall quite good.

So there you have it.  A tiny glimpse into how we determine new and wonderful cheese offerings.

ENJOY!!!!!

Cheese Sales at the Farm Starts Oct. 6, 2012

How can it be that time of year already?  Farmers markets are coming to an end in many locations, goats are being bred for next years babies and milk, milk supply changing to Fall consistency.  Whew!  This was a fast dairy year here at Gothberg Farms.

We will now have the Farm "Stand" open for cheese sales.
Saturdays ONLY   from 12:00 noon-4:00 PM.

Please keep in mind we remain a working farm.  This is not a public tour of the goats or the farm in general.  You will be able to see the goats from the outside fence if they have chosen to be outside, but time does not allow for family tours.  We of course happily talk 'goats' anytime!!!  So feel free to ask all the questions you want.

Looking forward to seeing you beginning this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.  We generally keep this going to until just about Christmas.  Closed Thanksgiving weekend.