Names: Elizabeth, (age 16) and Jessica, (age 15) Osborne (left to right)
Parents: Bob and Allison Osborne
Schooling: Home school and former 4-H members
What kind of animals do you raise at your home?
“We raise Nigerian and pygmy goats,” Jessica explained. “We started raising goats 6 years ago and at one point, we had 23 goats. Right now we have 12. We sell them to people in our community and on the Internet. They are dairy goats but most of ours go to people as pets and also, for brush control around homes and farms. We’ve sold a lot of baby goats.”
What’s the best/worst about raising pygmy goats?
“The best part is that they are cute and lots of fun. We don’t like to sell them,” Elizabeth added honestly, “but you’ve got to, to make anything with them. My mom has us keep records of everything we do, how much we feed, vaccines, the costs, all of it.”
“The worst part is that they eat a lot,” Jessica laughed. “Really the worst part was last year when lots of people in this area had goats that died, especially the babies. We weren’t sure if it was the feed or something they were getting at shows or what.”
What are your plans for the future?
“I love animals and I’d like to work in conservation or possibly as a teacher, something to do with animals. I’m planning on going to college so I still haven’t decided yet,” Elizabeth concluded.
“I’d like to own a cake shop or possibly be a florist,” Jessica added.
Story and Photo by Laura Valenti
