How to Raise Goats to Make Money , If you’re an animal lover with an entrepreneurial spirit, you might be able to combine your two interests into a money-making goat farm. Farms aren’t easy to start, and require a lot of land and skill, but once you have your goat farm established, you may be able to make a tidy profit while enjoying watching your goats grow and thrive. Goat Business Opportunities Before you begin your business plan or seek financing, you’ll need to decide what you want to do with your goats. Dairy goats are versatile options because you can produce both milk and cheese, and don’t have to worry about your goats matching appearance standards for showing. If you want to raise show goats, you’ll need to purchase expensive, high-quality goats with an excellent genetic line. Meat goats are another option if you can deal with the realities of raising animals that you ultimately kill. If you want to market to luxury apparel makers, cashmere goats produce cashmere, a coveted fabric. Breeding your goats is also an option. You’ll almost certainly need to breed your goats to maintain the population, but some goat breeders also sell to hobbyists and farmers. Starting Your Business You may need a license from the Department of Agriculture in your state, and will also need to meet zoning requirements for farms. Some areas may not permit farm animals. Goats require plenty of space, lots of food upon which to graze, and proper veterinary care, and budgeting for these needs is vital. If you don’t already have a large property, you’ll probably need a loan or a significant amount of startup capital. You’ll also need to find healthy goats. If you buy cheap or sick goats, you could lose money trying to get them up to the standards necessary to run a goat business. Raising Goats Before you buy goats, you should read up on goat ownership, and talk to farm animal veterinarians and other goat owners. If you try to learn when you already have your goats, you may end up with a herd of sick goats. Goats need constant access to clean water and food, and will eat just about anything, so you’ll need to keep them away from harmful items. They also need shelter if they’re kept outside, as well as regular veterinary care. If you want to breed pet goats or show goats, your goats will also require daily socialization so that they’re comfortable and friendly with people. Gaining Customers No matter how good your goat meat, dairy products or offspring are, you won’t make money if you don’t have an audience. Don’t open a goat business if the market in your area is already saturated, and establish connections with people in the goat business before beginning your venture. Advertise on farming blogs, at goat shows and on social networking sites. Try going to organizations for urban farmers and goat breeders to make connections, and emphasize what makes your goats unique. It could be excellent care, perfect cheese, a perfect pedigree or a discounted price, but you’ll need to find something that makes your business stand out. Business