All of our goats are special, but every once in a while, a certain individual will come along and grab everyone’s attention. From the experienced goat breeder visiting the farm who exclaims “WOW!!” when they see her gliding around the barn, to the third grade student that very same goat befriends by coming up and rubbing her gently on their back, as if saying, “Love me”.  Meet Rima, the American Dairy Goat Association’s (ADGA) 2012 National Champion and Best Udder Alpine.

Rima lounging in the barn

Rima combines the strength and sweetness that her maternal family line(See the Bleat Beat blog-”Six Generations” by Zimba) is known for and the style her sire, Shining Moon X-Rated, is gaining a reputation for. X-Rated sired four age class winners at the 2012 National Show and was named Premier Alpine Sire of Show!

Rima- Alpine Junior National Champion in 2009

2012 was not Rima’s first time at an ADGA National Show. In 2009, Rima went to the National Show in Sacramento as a junior yearling. She won her age class and was then named the Junior National Champion for the Alpine breed. It was evident that we had a special one here. That fall, we repeated the breeding of her mother, Raindrop, to X-Rated. In the Spring of 2010, Rima’s full sister, Redwood Hills Drop of Rain was born. Rain was awarded first place two year old at the 2012 ADGA National Show.

In 2010, Rima once again won her age class at the National Show.

In 2010, Rima and about twenty five herd mates made the long trip to Louisville KY for the ADGA National Show. Rima freshened with a beautiful mammary system and earned the first place ribbon in her age class at Nationals once again! Former Redwood Hill employee and alpine breeder Ben Rupchis handled her in the show ring that year. I recently asked Ben his thoughts about working with Rima, and he responded: “Rima is joie de vivre in caprine form. She was a charmer the moment she freshened as a yearling. Her infectious optimism and cheerfulness–always expecting and appreciating extra attention and goodies–brightened chores on even the rainiest of spring mornings. In the parlor, after milking she would turn on the stanchion in hopes of a hug and scratch on the withers after being milked. She is always among the first to inquisitively wander over to see what treats you may have brought her either in the barn at home or at the show.”

Rima-The 2012 National Champion and Best Udder Alpine

We did not attend the 2011 National Show, as Massachusetts is a bit too far for us to travel. This year, ADGA held the National Show in Loveland Colorado and we began our trip out there on July 4th. This year was different, as we traveled in a “goat caravan” with four trailers of goats and multiple California herds. One thing was the same as our last trip, Rima was attending and looking great. She won her age group once again, this time as a three year old. When all of the age class winners came in for the selection of Senior Champion, the air was thick with tension and the field deep with competition. Rima, as usual, carried a look of confidence and a carriage of grace in that final lineup. We were overwhelmed with joy as she was then named Senior Champion and then ADGA’s 2012 National Champion and Best Udder Alpine.

Rima's 2012 kids- Resilience and Resonate, very proud of their Mama !

If that wasn’t exciting enough, we were thrilled as we heard Rima’s 2012 born son,Redwood Hills Snapple Resonate, was just accepted into this years Spotlight Sale in Boise, Idaho! The Spotlight Sale is a live auction held annually at the ADGA National Convention and is the culmination of a week full of everything goat. Only a few nominations are accepted into this prestigious sale and we are very proud of this boy and his potential as a herdsire! Redwood Hill Farm Herd Manager Trinity Smith had this to say about our newest National Champion: “Rima is the quintessential dairy goat. Full of personality. Any person is drawn to the sparkle in her eye, and her radiating curiosity. She puts milk in the bucket better than most, and reigns as one of the barn queens. Now with multiple National Show wins, she is quite sure she should monopolize all human attention that is offered. Simply put she combines the work and play of life as well as any other goat out there!” Rima has given us at Redwood Hill Farm so many special moments in such a small amount of time. Her family line is known for outstanding longevity, so hopefully this is just the first few chapters in an outstanding novel!

Hi Everyone, Welcome to MY blog!

Hi Everyone, my name is Zimba! I’m one of over 300 dairy goats living here at Redwood Hill Farm, the first goat dairy in the nation to be labeled with the Certified Humane designation. You might have seen me on postcards or even on a truck and trailer that delivers our natural, delicious, dairy goat products to health food stores everywhere. Well, now I’m so famous they even want me to write a blog! Actually, Farm Manager Scott Bice and others on the farm will be contributing to the blog as well, but we all know that I’m the one capacious in writing creativity! I’m excited to fill you in on happenings at Redwood Hill Farm from the goat’s perspective.

Zimba and all of our products rolling to a health food store near you.

We had an extra special delivery recently. One of my herdmates- Rihanna, gave birth to a beautiful doeling named Rayne. Her Great, Great, Great Grandmother was so proud! That’s right, this little “Rayne drop” that hit the farm makes a family tree of six generations alive and kicking here on the farm.

Regal Ranita at age 15

Companeros Ranita is the matriarch of this gregarious and enduring family. At fifteen years old, she is the last goat still here on the farm that Steven Schack, Jennifer’s late husband, planned the breeding of. We goats on average live to about 10-13 years old. I’m nine now and starting to feel my years, and to think glorious Ranita has six years on me! It’s pretty amazing to sit back and ruminate on all the times and changes Ranita has seen during her years at Redwood Hill. Ranita has long since been retired from milking and now spends her days contentedly shuffling about the barn, eating hay, and finding sunny spots in the pasture to warm her bones.

Reina hanging out in the barn

Ranita’s daughter Reina is twelve now, also retired from milking, and is best known for her flowing locks of hair that cascade down from her topline. Reina and I are good friends. A few years older than I, she helped “show me the ropes” when I entered the milking barn as a first time milker. Reina gave birth to Raindrop who is now five. Raindrop is sired by Tempo Aquila Freelance, one of the most famous bucks (and quite the gentleman) in recent Alpine dairy goat history.

Rima being shown at the California State Fair

Raindrop’s first kidding (giving birth) produced Rima in the fall of 2008. Rima was quite the looker from the start and as a junior dry yearling in 2009, was named Junior National Champion at the ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) National Show in Sacramento California. The elders of this “R named line” of goats could not be more proud! Known for their longevity, strength, and work ethic; now they had a top beauty queen residing in the family as well. When Rima kidded for the first time and had Rihanna, she came into milk with a beautiful mammary system and went on to be named first place in her class at the 2010 ADGA National Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Yes, she’s quite a filly!

Rayne just a few days old

And now a promising Rihanna (who sports the same locks as Reina) has given birth to Rayne. That makes six generations of this strong family here at Redwood Hill Farm. It’s a real tribute to the care owner Jennifer Bice, Herd Manager Trinity Smith, and all of the workers provide for us. Well cared for goats make great tasting milk that can be transformed into delicious cheese, yogurt, and keifer. Rayne may not grow up and remember much of Ranita, but we will tell her stories of the matriarch and let her know of the qualities she passed on. In life; coworkers, friends, and family come and sadly sometimes go. This “R-line” of goats is an example of Endurance, Strength, and Quality and it’s nice to come in the barn and know they will be around. Hmmmm, it’s probably not surprising Redwood Hill Farm starts with an R as well. ~Zimba~