Yes, today, for the first time in Sam Farm Boy History, I milked a goat (or, for the strong stomached, milked a goat's teats). Her name was Jesse. She never even asked for my name, didn't even give me the time of day. In fact, I had to lure her over with a bucket of feed, and THEN I had to lock her head between two wooden posts, so she couldn't escape. How humiliating. I must be quite unappealing to the mother goat market.
Now, this is how it's done. Grip the base of the nipple, right at the udder, tightly with your index finger and thumb. It really does work best if the goat is distracted with food, and secured in place. Otherwise, she just might kick the whole pail over. Once you've gripped, bring down your middle, ring, and pinky fingers one after the other, in one fluid motion, so that a healthy jet of white milk sprays against the bottom of the pail. Don't grab the nipple too low and make sure your index finger and thumb squeeze tight. Don't worry: you'll be able to tell when the milk is running low. The nipple becomes thin and droopy. Better make sure you finish before the feed runs out, or else the goat mama goes crazy.
"HEY SAM!" you might say. "Why are you giving me advice on goat milking?"
"Because it's gross and makes you uncomfortable," might be my usual reply. But, there's another reason! I began my first day of orientation with Overlook Farm, owned and operated by Heifer International. I am an Educational Volunteer, which means I will be working with a lot of visitors, educating them about Heifer's mission and facilitating them in various activities on the farm. I also, however, get to feed and care for the livestock here, along with the twenty other volunteers that live here, and tend to the gardens. And just enjoy myself in general.
So, Day 1: fed a camel, milked a goat, cuddled with a goat, tried to attack a chicken, and learned about Heifer's general mission.
A tiring day indeed.
Something I learned/thought about today. Heifer's vision is a world where communities co-exist in peace and harmony with one another and with the earth. Now, does anyone actually expect this to happen?
"No," I say.
Why not? Obvious reasons. Human beings are violent and stupid, for one. Of course, it's a nice vision, and something worth hoping for. But, honestly, if we don't believe it will happen, why do we keep trying?
Food for thought.
