In 2015 David and I packed up our belongings, and the two senior cats and moved to what we would ultimately call home: Sweetgum Acres.  The property was 16 acres of a mix of woods and hayfield with an old singlewide trailer. We moved into the trailer and got to work right away planting the orchard, vineyard, berry patch, and establishing gardens. 

 

Our first summer garden was beautiful and bountiful, but of course, there is always the need for more.  Therefore, we welcomed chickens and the first farm dog. Life was busy, blessings were abundant, and I was in heaven.

 

We gave beekeeping a try, but after two seasons decided it was best to leave beekeeping to someone else.  I certainly have a new appreciation for all the work that goes into producing a jar of that sweet, sticky goodness. 

 

With the desire to produce our own milk and the abundance of products available from home produced dairy, we welcomed the first of our goats; 3 Oberhasli kids.  It didn't take long to realize I was addicted to goats, and my collection grew to include Nigerian Dwarf as well.  And thus began the Early Morning herd.  I have enjoyed learning to make goat milk soaps and lotions, as well as experimenting in the kitchen with all the delicious recipes I've discovered along the way. I am now learning the art of cheesemaking.

 

We have said goodbye to the old trailer and since moved into our dream cabin.  We've continued to grow and have expanded the poultry to include American Buff geese; Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhaubens chickens, along with an assorted flock of lovely breeds that produce colorful eggs; and Magpie ducks. 

​

In 2021, the goats and I participated in our first Linear Appraisal and DHIR milk testing through ADGA.  It was an incredibly informative year. In 2022 we jumped into the show ring.  We are not only having a lot of fun meeting fellow breeders through competing and proving the quality of our herd, but learning so much that will impact our future as we strive to produce quality goats that are not only healthy and structurally correct and sound, but also productive in the milking parlor.  All of our goats are ADGA registered, and most of our Nigerian herd has also been registered with AGS and NDGA, and we anticipate joining MDGA in the near future.

 

What a journey this has been.  It's a busy life that brings as much happiness as it does stress, but I can't imagine anything more fulfilling.

​

Contact:

Naomi.Steffanson@gmail.com

(615) 319-0802

Ashland City, TN 37015