Farmer John knows his goats.
Planet Green
READ MORE ABOUT:
John Hall spent his youth on dairy farms in and around Sharon Springs, New York. He moved away in his twenties but returned 11 years ago. Since then, he has been working on farms, spending most of his time taking care of a herd of goats. Without a farm to call his own, however, the future of his flock was always in question.
When he heard that two city slickers had purchased the long-abandoned Beekman Farm, he recognized an opportunity. For Josh, the idea of adopting a knowledgeable farmhand and his refugee goats was winner. Brent, on the other hand, was not so eager to take on yet another new responsibility as part of their experiment in rural living.
However, through relentless pleading, Josh explains in The Bucolic Plague, Brent was eventually worn down—and Farmer John and his goats have been a fixture at Beekman Farm ever since.
Having an experience farm on hand has, of course, proven very useful to Josh and Brent. Farmer John's favorite job on the farm, however, is taking care of his goats. Asked to pick a favorite, John chose "all of them," but then added that "Hannah is probably my most favorite though."
It's her love of affection that appeals to John. "She likes to be hugged and kissed after she gets milked," he explains.
With all this special attention, we have to wonder: Do the other goats get jealous? Of course! "Most anytime I start to scratch one," John said, "another comes along for some attention too."
WATCH VIDEO: Get to Know Farmer John
Learn more about The Fabulous Beekman Boys.
Meet The Farmers, Josh and Brent.
