The Homesteader's Natural Dairy Goat Handbook: Raising a Healthy Herd from Start to Finish

Sarah Withers is a homesteader, cheese maker, flower farmer, and homeschooling mother of four. She is passionate about dispelling the myth that goats are not a serious dairy animal. What began as a reluctant introduction to dairy goats has grown into a wholehearted conviction that these remarkable animals are not merely a stepping stone to something bigger, but a worthy choice in their own right.

Alongside her husband and children, Sarah tends their two-acre homestead in Waddell, Arizona, with a focus on nourishment, stewardship, and finding beauty in the mundane. Through her YouTube channel, blog, membership, and online cheesemaking course, Sarah equips busy homesteaders--especially mothers--with the confidence to begin home dairying without overwhelm. Her approach blends solid husbandry, clear instruction, and an honest acknowledgment of the grit required to build something lasting, all while honoring the rhythms of real life. Visit her at TheNestintheWest.com.

"Through my years as a cheesemaking educator, I have referred many people to Sarah. From raising goats to making her own homemade dairy products, Sarah has become a trusted resource in the cheesemaking and dairy processing community. What a gift it is to have her information compiled between these pages: a place for learning, reference, recipes, and inspiration. This masterpiece will quickly become your most reached-for reference guide!"--Robyn Jackson, Cheese From Scratch

"With a humble voice born of extensive experience, Sarahs writings provide clear guidance on all aspects of goat-keeping. Her work addresses common myths, covers practical topics such as natural herd health, and includes comprehensive cheesemaking recipes."--RuthAnn Zimmerman, Homesteading with the Zimmermans

"At the beginning of our homesteading journey, I decided to incorporate goats onto our less-than-two-acre homestead. As a new goat keeper, I purchased every book available regarding raising goats to ensure I was managing my small herd to the best of my ability. The number of books I collected was overwhelming, and to this day I wish there had been one book to gracefully guide me. For those of you who are just starting out with goats, you are beyond blessed to have Sarahs book in your homesteading library. From breed selection to proper nutrition, solid animal husbandry, and utilizing goats for meat as well as dairy (including cheesemaking), you will be assured you are capable of keeping a healthy and happy herd. This book covers everything you need to feel confident and prepared in the exciting journey to come."--Ann Accetta-Scott, A Farm Girl in the Making; author of The Farm Girls Guide to Preserving the Harvest

"A heartfelt, heartwarming, and beautifully written guide that gets to the core of why goats are such an amazing fit for small, family farms. Sarah shares her own experiences and wisdom in a way that is so relatable--and helpful--it will either launch you on your own journey with dairy goats or remind you why you fell in love with them yourself!"--Gianaclis Caldwell, author of Holistic Goat Care, Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking, and Mastering Basic Cheesemaking