Over 10,000 years ago, goats provided hair, hide, meat and milk for the nomadic tribesmen who domesticated the animal. In addition to those purposes, present day goats serve as pack animals, companion pets and 4-H/FFA projects for youth. Their unique browsing habits control unwanted vegetation, plus the pelleted droppings are an excellent fertilizer. Goats also offer a feasible option for hobby farm enthusiasts. Current breeds are varied in size and color, with docile personalities and desirable genetic traits.

Founded in 1904, the American Dairy Goat Association recognized and registerd eight breeds of dairy goats: Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, Sable and Toggenburg.

Each of these breeds represent different physical characteristics, such as body size, coloring/markings, milk butterfat content and udder capacity.

The dual-purpose Nubian can also serve as a meat goat.

Each year in coordination with National Dairy Month, the ADGA sponsors Dairy Goat Awareness Week and hosts a national show, the location of which is held in a different state every year. The annual event showcases the achievements and contributions of dairy goat breeders and the promotion of caprine dairy products. Between June 20 to 27, the organization would have held their 2020 National Show in Grand Island. Due to COVID-19, it has been canceled.

The number of commercial goat dairies, and even small herds with backyard milking parlors, are increasing nationwide.

Wisconsin, Iowa and Texas are the top three dairy goat states. Nebraska is home to Shadow Brook Farm's Dutch Girl Creamery, located on the southeast edge of Lincoln.

Charuth Van Beuzekom, along with her husband, Kevin Loth, run a 34-acre farm. In 2006, they started milking goats and making cheese. Their herd of over 150, consisting mostly of Saanens and Alpines, is milked twice a day.

The couple's renovated 100-year-old barn has twelve stanchions, which allows for the milking of six does while prepping an additional six, a washing system and an adapted milking unit with two small teat cups. The milk flows through a pipeline into a 150-gallon bulk tank.

Dutch Girl Creamery also has an on-farm cheesemaking facility.

"My passion is making cheese," said Van Beuzekom.

Rosa Maria, an aged hard cheese, and Natalie in Gray, an ash-ripened cheese, have won several national awards.

Artesian cheese, yogurt and pasteurized goat milk are available for purchase at Shadow Brook Farm's Country Market, local farmer's markets and area grocery stores.

Van Beuzekom stated that approximately 60% of her sales are to restaurants, primarily in Lincoln and Omaha.

Photos courtesy of Dana Dameswood

Cheese whiz • Charuth Van Beuzekom, owner of Dutch Girl Creamery, near Lincoln, prepares a batch of chévre cheese. She sells artisan cheese at farmers' markets and grocery stores, in addition to supplying cheese to restaurants in Lincoln and Omaha.

Dairy and skin care products containing goat milk have become popular due to its distinctive properties. Goat milk contains almost 33% of the recommended daily value for calcium, is high in vitamin A, phosphorus and zinc, plus includes beneficial enzymes.

The fat globules are smaller than cow's milk and are naturally homogenized making it easier to digest. The lactic acid in goat's milk is a natural alpha-hydroxy acid, known to improve skin's appearance. The addition of the milk to soap helps to gently exfoliate dead cells, smoothing the skin's surface. Goat milk is sold as fresh, raw or pasteurized, condensed and dried.

The United States' agriculture industry is one of the country's most treasured resources. Producers are committed to high standards to ensure quality from their farm to your family.

Celebrate National Dairy Month by purchasing milk, butter, cheese and maybe even a bar of goat milk soap.