American Cashmere Producers contributing to our project

As seen on the site, we have been evolving over the last 4 years. One year dedicated to research and visiting farms, etc., then launching into our adventure in 2008. We love being part of a community of people that loves these goats. We never weary of the cycle of seeing all the new promise in the fiber when it is harvested. It is such an amazing thing to witness this rare, luxurious downy undercoat of a cashmere goat being transformed through a fairly complicated process.

Producing cashmere is much more than turning a few goats out to pasture and harvesting fiber. It is all about animal care, genetics, micron count, style, length, color, finding a processor that can process it correctly, and hefty processing charges that can ultimately transform it into one of the most coveted materials in the world.

Our herd presently consists of 49 does, 4 bucks and 5 wethers. During late Spring, Summer and Fall, they freely graze on natural vegetation throughout our forested property. This helps eliminate most of the noxious weeds and controls brush on the property, letting more sun reach the ground, improving pasture quality and growth.

All of our goat's fiber is tested at Yocum McColl biennually to maintain an objective measurement of micron and curvature, along with other measurements. This helps us keep accurate records of each goat's production and quality of cashmere, as well as maintain a good breeding program. Any goats that do not meet the standard are culled from the herd.

No one appreciates these goats like a producer who finally holds this amazing yarn in their hands - unless it is the spinner, the knitter, the wearer of cashmere. Everyone loves cashmere!

Lisa's Farm, Tres Pinos, California (pasturechick@gmail.com)

Lisa currently has a herd of 100 cashmere does that kid every Spring. Her goal is to carry 150 does. She currently uses 4 bucks for breeding.

Quality conscious, everyone of her animals has had their fiber tested at Fiber Research Center at Texas A&M. She does not keep any goat that does not meet the standard for micron diameter or style. She has a lot of white cashmere and is breeding for more taupe and grey.

Lisa leases 300 acres from friends in Tres Pinos, California. She practices sustainable farming. 2010 , she began grazing grass fed poultry(chickens and turkey) with her goats and 50 merino sheep to continue to improve grass quality and insect/parasite control. She is currently in the process of having the Ranch Certified Organic.

Lisa is a handspinner and knitter.

(http://libertyfarmcashmeregoats.blogspot.com) mnielsen7@aol.com

I have always had a soft spot for animals, my poor mother forever putting up with me bringing home stray cats, dogs and rabbits.

In high school the natural thing was to join Future Farmers of America (FFA) where this strong pull towards animals reached new heights with sheep, pigs and cattle. I loved showing at the fairs and winning. This training in FFA taught me the importance and value of good conformation in livestock and how to look for these qualities. A bonus from my time in FFA was the finding of my husband, Cliff.

In 1993, when our youngest child was eight years old I discovered Cashmere goats at the local Fair. It took a year of convincing before Cliff and I purchased our first five cashmere does. The next year, we had purchased six more does and two bucks.

We quickly found that we had a lot to learn about goats and cashmere and that most of what we had been told was not true. Liberty Farm's herd of cashmere goats has taken many top awards over the years both in live goat shows and in fleece competitions judged by a variety of cashmere judges.

I find more to learn every year, and sometimes I relearn more than I car to.

So fifteen years down the road with this cashmere goat venture, we have learned a lot and have strong desires to keep learning and to share that knowledge with others.

American Cashmere is wonderful!!!