move to country / rural TN w/my goats (Memphis, Tullahoma: fit in, for sale)

[janej]

Good morning.

I am exploring possibilty of leaving my once beautiful home state of California (Northern part). I am very sad as to what has happened to my state that I have grown up in.

I have a small herd of milking goats and I raise piglets for sale on the milk and my most recent endeavor (thanks to my vet spreading the word about my goat milk) is to raise orphan foals and colts on goat milk (and get paid a reasonable daily fee - only part of buisness that pays - ha ha).

Is there a market for goat milk and taking care of orphan horses?

I have never lived anywhere else than in my hometown area in CA, I can stand heat and fog, but have never lived in the bitter cold or snow, might consider it.....

I would appreciate any info.

Thank you. Have a great day.

Sincerely,

Jane J.

[Mr. Bighead]

What exactly has happened to California that makes you want to leave it? I hear reports of all sorts of crazy stuff that goes on there. It would be interesting to hear what a sane local has to say about it.

I don't know much about the local livestock market. I know there are quite a few small farms outside of town. The farther you get from the city, the more hillbilly farmers you'll find. If you value your goats' dignity, you should probably avoid places like Scot, Campbell, and Claiborne counties. It's like Deliverance up there.

You won't have to worry about bitter cold and snow here, just moderate cold and occasional snow. This place is practically a rain forest, so I guess that means lots of free food for your goats.

[Tyler Lund]

you might want to consider Moore County its farm country, and its right outside of a moderate sized city, Tullahoma. You have to worry about severe storms here and Tornadoes but the city of Tullahoma operates a tornado-alert siren system so if you are outside you hear the sirens and take cover. They are quite audible even a few miles out of town, so you could haave time to get your goats to safety before a storm hit.

[Accountable]

gosh, I thought I had ideas for you, but the more I think about it, the harder it is to answer this, because I know nothing about you, except that you have goats. As for a "market" for taking care of orphaned horses, there are horse rescue groups in Tennessee, but I think this is the wrong site to find them. As for there being a market for it, it's impossible to make money in animal rescue, but, if you have any experience with it, you know that already, and must have just mispoke when you asked if there's a market.

Like any state, Tn. has more land that is rural than it has land that is urbanized. So, you have a lot of choices. Goats can probably be happy just about anywhere rural. If you're looking for other Californians, Eastern Central and Central Tennessee have a couple of dozen of alternative communities, such as "The Farm" southwest of Nashville, which was formed by Steven Gaskin, and a band of about 200 other Californians who drove out in school buses in 1970 and settled there to follow an anarchist eco-ideal. They're still there. There are many others, which are less famous. One is polyamorous, a couple of them are gay-oriented, some are eco-oriented; one is vegan. There is a former Amish community in Eastern Tennessee that was sold to a large, but unknown special interest group from Washington state a few years ago. And there are homesteader groups as well if you really want to rough it. The list goes on and on,but maybe your best bet would be to look online for your interests and just put the word "Tennessee" in your search.

I"m sure the horse rescue folks will be thrilled to have your help. They might better advise you if you want to be near other goat people or horse rescuers.
There is a huge elephant rescue operation in Hohenwald, Tn. and further west toward Memphis couple who made millions in a large Memphis business, then retired to a rural area to spend their fortune rescuing abandoned and unwanted dogs. Animal abuse and neglect and overpopulation is rampant countrywide. If that's your focus, you'll find rescue groups everywhere, but not many are very big or well-funded, and some might not even answer any contact attempts.

Ahimsa!

[MrsMichelle]

Millington TN, just outside Memphis, has the annual Goat Days Festival. You see signs around here all the time "goats for sale".

[countrygirl-citygirl]

I know you're thinking about leaving California. However, there are pockets of "Horse Country" areas right here in S. California. The Mira Loma and Norco areas of S. California have lots of horses and livestock that may have animals who need the goat's milk. I know a lady who was doing what you do for people's animals. I'm not sure if there's big profit in it. However, if you're not in need of lots of money from this endeavor, you certainly would be doing a lot of good for others.
Hey everyone, there really are nice people in S. California. But perhaps I feel like I don't fit in because I'm a country girl at heart and I love the small farm life, slower pace of life, etc.

[flyingivyfarm]

I've been rescuing horses in MD for 12 years and already looking into TN rescues in anticipation of the move. In the eastern part of the state is Horse Haven of TN, which has a bulletin board. It might be worth your while to check in there and ask. I have a feeling that "market" as in income producing might not be the right description for feeding orphan foals, in TN.

In terms of moving you might also want to look at the Asheville, NC area.

[carinkimes]

Originally Posted by Tyler Lund

you might want to consider Moore County its farm country, and its right outside of a moderate sized city, Tullahoma. You have to worry about severe storms here and Tornadoes but the city of Tullahoma operates a tornado-alert siren system so if you are outside you hear the sirens and take cover. They are quite audible even a few miles out of town, so you could haave time to get your goats to safety before a storm hit.

Hi Tyler, I was wondering, just how bad are the tornadoes in Tullahoma. Do yo suggest we find a house with a basement when we move there? When is tornadoe season? I am a little worried now.