Two things compete for a visitor's attention at Flint Hills View Farm. One is the stunning 360-degree view of the region the farm is named after.
Owner Connie Wagers says, "We kind of joke that we bought the property because of the view. Every place you look has a beautiful view of the Flint Hills."
The other is the cuteness overload caused by baby goats. This year, 10 little ones were born on the farm, with the average typically being between 10 and 12, although last year they had 14 babies. Goats typically have two babies at a time, but last year the farm had one that delivered quadruplets.
The farm currently houses eight milking goats. Connie says, "As far as farm animals go, they're a lot easier to manage than the bigger cows because you can move them around fairly easily. They become very attached to you, and they're very smart. We milk our goats twice a day. They learn the order they're supposed to be in, so when we open the gate, they know exactly which ones go first. When one comes out, the next one knows it's their turn."
One of the farm's superstars is Milo, a non-breeding male goat. He is on the blood donor list for the Kansas State Veterinary Hospital. If an animal is extremely anemic or needs blood, the hospital has Milo come over to donate.
Connie says, "He's a big guy, but he's the sweetest goat because we bottle fed him from the beginning. So, he's just as kind as can be. He also babysits all the new baby goats when their mommas need a break. They just send them over to Milo."
Wagers and her husband, Curtis, bought the farm in 2017. The property, located north of Paxico, consisted of only a house and one building at the time. Today, it has grown to not only accommodate the goat herd, but also chickens, ducks, bees, miniature donkeys to guard the goats, and guinea fowl to eat pests and serve as a natural alarm system.
"If they hear or see something, they start squawking like there's no tomorrow," Connie says, with a laugh.
Products from the farm are sold on summer Saturdays at the Breadbasket Farmers Market located at the West Ridge Mall. They offer a variety of goat milk soaps and lotions, as well as meat sticks. Once they are certified as a grade A dairy, they will sell goat's milk and cheese. Connie is already working with taste testers on perfecting five or six different flavors of chevre so she's ready when the time comes.
For those who are uncertain about drinking goat's milk, Connie notes, "Honestly, I can't tell the difference from cows' milk. We've had people in our family and some friends who are sensitive to dairy products, but they can drink goat's milk and consume goat dairy products without any problems. And I've had people come up to us at the farmers market and say their dermatologist told them to get goat milk soap to help with issues such as dry skin or eczema."
Like many modern-day farmers, both the Wagers have jobs off the farm, too. Connie does administrative work at the Stormont Vail Flint Hills campus in Junction City, and Curtis works for John Deere. Two of their four children still live on the farm and assist with the daily chores, although their other grown children and grandchildren also help out.
"How can you resist baby goats, even when it's chore time?" Connie says. "I like the fact that we're able to have products at our fingertips. It's nice to know where our milk, eggs, and meat come from and to provide that to our kids. Growing stuff and knowing where it comes from is pretty awesome."