Upward Spiral Goat Service

12/22/2024

Reflecting on the year and enjoying a break from grazing; the goat herd has some high-quality hay and is resting in the barn. Happy holidays! -Josh

09/06/2024

It’s gratifying to see how well intensive management works. This thick patch of thistles was grazed and impacted by the goat herd when my first kid of the season was being born. Back then I could afford to make them eat plenty of roughage. Immediately after grazing, the plants were stripped of their leaves and flowers, then trampled over.
Now I return with the herd. Kid count is at 16, and our nutritional requirements are much greater. All these mamas are nursing, and need a high protein intake. Where once there was a patch of thistles with very little growing underneath, I now find rotten stems feeding a thick sward of grass. Zero chemicals and no mechanical removal.
A very heavy impact followed by just over a month of rest made this pasture perfect for a third grazing this year. I’m grateful for the regular, gentle rain. I’m also grateful for the thistles, who did their part feeding the bees and the goats, and in their death, fed the grass.

08/01/2024

Graze crazy! Goats prefer browse (woody plants) but mine are doing well as I give them access to this mature grassland a small bit at a time.

07/20/2024

💡 Fun Fact: Minnesota stands out as a biodiversity hotspot, intersecting four major North American biomes!

🌎 Let's take a quick journey through each biome:

🌿 Discover the Tall Grass Aspen Parklands, once part of Glacial Lake Agassiz. This expansive flat province, connecting prairies, wetlands, and woodlands, serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Despite its importance, over 60% is now designated for agriculture.

🌾 Roam the vast Prairie Grasslands of Minnesota, born from the aftermath of glaciers. These prairies, which once spanned 18 million acres, play a crucial role in biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and soil health. Preserving them is vital for a thriving environment.

🌳 Embrace Minnesota's Deciduous Forests beyond the beauty of fall. These forests contribute to biodiversity, offer habitat, and aid in carbon sequestration. Despite early clearing for farmland, certain patches were spared, laying the groundwork for today's flourishing Deciduous Forests.

🌲 Immerse yourself in Minnesota's Coniferous Forests, dominated by pine, spruce, and fir. Shaped by glacial forces, this province features thin deposits on bedrock and extensive peatlands. In the northern forest, conifers and deciduous trees create a dynamic woodland ecosystem.

Minnesota is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, unveiling a fascinating array of biomes and the myriad life forms that call them home. 🌿 Preserving these biomes is crucial for ensuring the future health of our ecosystem.

Visit our website at https://www.prairieresto.com

07/19/2024

Believe it or not, these were vigorous Thistle plants in flower just a couple hours ago. My herd specializes in the regenerative-agriculture “soil health principle” called ANIMAL IMPACT.
 Carefully managed, these goats eat, trample, and manure in a very concentrated area. It’s awesome to see on lakeshore properties and in overgrown woods. However: the best work this herd can do is on the farm. Particularly well suited for ORGANIC and/or SMALL-SCALE operations, we feed the soil while feeding animals problem plants.
When you hire Upward Spiral Goat Service, I direct the goats to FEED THE SOIL while they EAT WEEDS. Because the animals are most valuable in the first 12 hours and because my greatest expense is hauling, the first day is the most expensive. Consider large projects and we all benefit!

07/18/2024

06/17/2024

06/17/2024

hitting’ thistles hard

06/16/2024

I have more grass than I can handle… they’re some sweet lambs!

06/14/2024

Bringing meat and herbs this afternoon. Let’s meet and talk natural farming!

💥💥💥We have THREE new vendors joining us today just in time for Father's Day. We didn't have much for produce last week, given our farmers have had a tough spring with cool and wet weather, but the heat is officially on. Today and all weeks moving forward, we will have a growing selection of organic and chemical-free produce from multiple vendors- woohoo!

One of our newest vendors, Jonas & Company, even made some amazing Father's Day cards just in time for the weekend, so be sure to check those out. And what dad doesn't like homemade baked goods?! Mama B's Baked Goods, Belle River Sourdough, and Fiskness Family Farm all have you covered. 🍪🍞🧁

See ya at the park!

06/05/2024

Mary E Lewis just released the episode of her podcast that I’m featured on!  https://lewismarye.podbean.com/e/upward-spiral-goat-service/ please share around, her podcast A Tiny Homestead is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

Today I'm talking with Josh at Upward Spiral Goat Service. You can also follow on Facebook. 00:00This is Mary Lewis at A Tiny Homestead, the podcast comprised entirely of conversations with homesteaders, cottage food producers, and crafters. If you're enjoying this podcast, please like, subscribe, s...

06/01/2024

Even with the nicest grass, my livestock strip thistle plants bare.  I love grazing an oak savanna, because you can see the sky while you sit in the shade.