Couple Turns Love of Goats into Christmas Tree Farm
Published: Friday, December 9, 2022
Kids love Christmas trees. Does and wethers do, too.
But who would pair goats and Christmas trees?
Loren and Lisa Schaefer, that's who. The unlikely pairing has come together in symbiosis to create a unique Christmas experience.
The Schaefers established Happy Goat Christmas Tree Farm in Fort Wayne last November to combine their passion for forestry, business and, of course, goats.
The two teachers brought their first goat 23 years ago. The next week, they bought two more. Now, they own Angolla, Boer and Pygmy goats. They sell them for breeding, pets and as meat animals.
"We love goats and most people love goats," Loren added. "Most people think goats eat grass, but they actually don't. They will eat a Christmas tree quicker than anything else."
Due to the glee Loren and Lisa have seen in the goats as they devour pine trees, they decided to incorporate that into their long-term farm plan.
"When you're done with your Christmas tree, instead of recycling it to the curb or having it mulched, let's just have you bring it back here and we'll let you toss it in the pen with the goats," Loren said.
Goats are natural browsers, much like deer. They regularly eat weeds, twigs and leaves. Loren said the pines offer a good source of nutrients to the goats, and they get the added bonus of perking up the goats' moods.
"Pine trees are a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and other minerals for goats. They also contain a lot of fiber, which is essential for a goat's diet and helps them stay healthy," according to goat sauthority.com. Pine tree seeds are also nutritious, containing healthy fats and proteins.
However, goatsauthority.com warns that pines can also have damaging effects on a goat's diet. Pines contain toxins such as turpentine that can cause serious health problems if given to goats in high amounts. Another substance found in pines is terpenes, which can complicate reproductive and digestive systems in goats.
The Shaefers are aware of the possible dangers of feeding pines to goats, and feel it is important that they are monitored while eating or that the pines are mixed with their regular feed. The Schaefers have been feeding their goats in this manner for as long as they have had them and have had no issues.
"We've always brought the trees back out and I've actually gone to the collection sites and searched for the better trees and brought them back," Loren said.
The Schaefers spread the tree feeding out to last throughout February as people return their trees. Spreading out the feeding of pine trees also helps mitigate digestive issues.
"It's more of a wintertime treat for them," Loren said, explaining that the trees are only given in small quantities.
Over Black Friday weekend, Happy Goat Christmas Tree Farm sold 35 trees, which is over half of last year's overall sales. The Schaefers are optimistic about their second business year due to the unexpected jump in sales. They have a total of 80 trees in stock.
This year, they are selling Canaan, Concolor, Douglas and Fraser firs.
"The Fraser is the Cadillac," Loren said, describing the top sales trends over the Black Friday weekend.
An updated report showed that Canaan trees gained the lead in sales. Frasers maintain a close second, followed by Concolor firs. The Douglas fir brings up the rear in popularity.
The Schaefers have several hundred trees currently growing; however, they are still too young for the cut-your-own experience. They are selling fresh-cut pines in the meantime and expect to have their first cut-your-own Christmas tree opportunity in the next five years.
Not only do families get a tree from Happy Goat Christmas Tree Farm, but they can spend a day in the countryside together working through activities.
"Our motto is to grow beautiful trees and beautiful memories," Loren said.
He and Lisa put their heads together and created a Christmas activity farm, which includes choosing a tree, drinking hot chocolate and going on a trivia trail that weaves around the 28-acre homestead. As participants follow clues, they may be greeted by goats and ponies, or encounter a pen of rabbits and other such animals. Upon completing the trail, families come back to the start to receive a candy cane.
Loren graduated from Purdue University with a degree in forestry in 1989, and Lisa earned her master's degree in business.
"We figured between the two of us, we aught to be able to run a business together and this seemed like the perfect opportunity," Loren said, explaining why they chose to start a Christmas tree farm.
"I think that experience added with it (getting a tree) is what people are looking for. They're looking for that destination event for the day and the opportunity to do something as a family, a chance to be outside and just enjoy themselves for a little bit," he added.
And, after the Christmas tree gets old, the goats will be happy to oblige in recycling.
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