This post was most recently updated on July 9th, 2019
The Haute Goat farm stay was our introduction to a 9-day whirlwind tour of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. A goat farm? Yes–and it made for a memorable first stop! One of our goals for this trip was to experience a wide variety of activities as a couple…and try a bunch of things we’d never done before. Thus, a goat farm!
With a late flight, and an hour drive from the Toronto airport, we arrived at the Haute Goat farm in the evening, after dark. Shain and his dog, Jack, greeted us as we pulled in and parked next to their farmhouse. They welcomed us into their home, which is historic, but beautifully updated. A large entryway lined with boots reminded us that this is a working farm!
Here’s the room we stayed in with ensuite bath. It was very comfortable, quiet, and the perfect place to get a good night’s sleep!
I didn’t hear any roosters come dawn, but I definitely awoke with the sun. And I’m so glad I did. The balcony at the end of our hallway blessed us with these incredible views:
A Farm Breakfast
At the same time as we were oohing and aahing over the views, Shain was downstairs preparing a hearty farm breakfast for us. When an unexpected incident pulled him away, Debbie adeptly stepped in to finish up and we were presented with our first home-cooked meal after a long day of international flights and layovers. The eggs were freshly gathered, and the honey was made from bees on the farm as well!
What Happens on the Haute Goat farm?
While we ate, I asked Debbie a lot of questions about the farm. She was kind enough to answer them for me, so here’s what I learned… Haute Goat farm is 200 acres, has 29 goats, seven alpacas, several chickens, a few horses, and honeybees. The farmhouse and the barn were built in 1908. Shain and Debbie have been at this farm for about two years.
The daily routine includes feeding grain and hay to the goats and also milking some of them, collecting eggs, and caring for the alpacas and horses. The farm also hosts special events, various workshops (food preservation and goat yoga, for example), and a weekly “schmurgle“, which is an opportunity for you to get close and personal with the goats.
Shain and Debbie have welcomed the help of Wwoof-ers to help with all the farm tasks, and we met Alexi from southern France while we were there. He explained that by using the “World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms” program, he was receiving knowledge and training he couldn’t otherwise receive. He helps with chores and receives first-hand experiences that will help him start his own farm someday.
The goat milk that Debbie collects is used for soap and skin care products — including lip balm, cleanser, shampoo, and lotions. Of course, goat milk also makes amazing cheese, but Haute Goat Farm isn’t licensed as a dairy farm. They do, however, sell goat cheeses made in Ontario.
Tagging Along
Debbie obliged the curiosity in me and let me tag along with her as she started her morning chores. First we “dipped” our shoes in an antiseptic solution so we wouldn’t bring any unwanted germs into the barn. Then we got a brief tour.
First the little ladies — the laying hens. Then we met our first goat suitor – Romeo! (Isn’t he cute!?)
He sure seemed excited to see us. But maybe that was because he knew he’d be getting fed. Haute Goat farm has only two male goats. Next we met all the female goats — all 27 of them!
Debbie got my attention and gave me a heads up that as soon as she opened the doors into the yard, the goats were going to run! And run, they did — right to their feeding troughs!
After they’d eaten, the goats didn’t mind interacting with my husband and I. Pearl, a 9-year goat veteran, showed particular interest in me and followed me around the yard. I suppose she wanted some more head-scratching.
Debbie continued to milk a few goats. Since most of the spring-born goats are weaned by this time of the year (September), most of the goats’ milk had dried up.They all would be soon. By the way, most of the goats are Nigerian Dwarf goats; their milk has the highest butterfat content of all goat species (6%).
The goats enjoy milking time because they get fed at their own personal trough!
We were invited to walk around the farm, stroll the paths, and explore…
What else can you see at the Farm?
Well, there’s the alpacas, who are just as inquisitive as you are…
And some Icelandic horses…
You can also enjoy some walking paths and gorgeous landscapes at the farm.
And if you like shopping, you can visit the Haute Goat “shoppe”. There you can purchase the skin care products made with goat milk, or dryer balls or socks made with alpaca hair…or goat cheeses from Ontario…or even goat butter fudge, goat milk caramel corn, or buckwheat honey. It’s a smorgasboard of fun products to choose from. I couldn’t resist buying several bars of the incredibly-scented goat milk soaps for friends back home!
You can take silly photos with an alpaca cut-out, enjoy a picnic, or pet Jack, too. The morning light was so beautiful, I really enjoyed walking around the farm. Eventually, it was time for us to pack up our things and move on. You don’t have to be staying at the Haute Goat B & B to enjoy all that the farm has to offer. In fact, lots of people stop by on a regular basis from the town of Port Hope and even as far away as Toronto, to enjoy the store, go on self-guided tours, and attend special events like their upcoming Halloween activity.
Conclusion
If you would like to enjoy a farm stay at Haute Goat Farm, you can find their listing at Airbnb. I highly recommend it because it is so grounding. It was very nice to spend some time outdoors connecting with nature and enjoying the goats and other animals. And getting to know Debbie and Shain a little better, too!
Debbie & Shain, photo credit: Suzanne Atkinson
I’d like to thank Debbie for hosting my husband and I at the Haute Goat farm and welcoming us in such a warm way! I hope you’ll make your way to Haute Goat farm some day too!
Please repin & share this post…you’re not going to want to forget about Haute Goat farm!
Life on the farm was looking pretty good while we were there!
Yes, it was! I might be able to do farm life!
Great article, Tami! Looks like a fun place to visit!
Those goats look so cute!! And the alpacas too. This looks like such a fun farm to visit!
Looks like heaven to me! I adore goats, I have always wanted one!
Awww, a goat farm?! Sign me up! Thanks for putting this on my radar 🙂
What a wonderful place to recharge batteries! Especially now in fall with the changing colours it’s a lovely place – and what a breakfast! I’d rather go and do an extended walk afterwards!
We’ve always wanted to spend a night in a REAL farm ever since we watched the TV show Smallville years ago! And since this one has such cute alpacas as well, there’s no more excuse for us to not go there! Haha.. Thanks for your inspiring experience. We’ll consider doing that too when we travel to Canada. 🙂
It looks like a beautifully landscaped goat farm.
Goat farm is a new thing for me, as never heard of them before.
Will surely consider them for activity purpose. Thanks for introducing this to me.
This definitely sounds like a novel place to stay. I love the name of the farm!
Watching the video and it was fun and so cute! I always welcome to spend time in farms to catch a breath of fresh air and away from the cement jungle in the city. This was a refreshing read!
The title itself really caught my interest. I know goats as they are part of our daily living, while back in my hometown in the countryside of the Philippines, we have them around, we could sell and eat them, wish I could pet them tho! I like alcapas here, do they look adorable in close contact? haha, I’d like to take a selfie with them! They seem very friendly! I’ll add this goat farm on my bucket list!
Goats are cute, Ontario is really diverse!
The room is so cute and homey-looking and Debbie & Shain sound like great hosts too! I’m all about connecting with nature and will definitely have to add this to my bucket list. I’m on the west coast tho, just wish domestic flights weren’t so expensive ughhhhh.
We’re on the west coast too. One of the reasons we choose Ontario and Quebec is because it didn’t use any more miles than it would have to fly somewhere on the west coast. It’s an economic way to go foreign and even feels a little European!
I’m so glad you had this experience! I’m a HUGE proponent of Agrotourism as I have a Masters Degree in Agroecology and Food Security Issues. It’s so cool you stayed at this farm and experienced first hand what life is like there! Way to go!
I now want a pet goat. They are just so cute. Plus those alpacas are very cute as well. Last time I was at a goat farm, I spent the whole time cuddling with a kid who fell asleep on me. He then tried to follow me to my car 🙁
Talk about unique accommodations! Maybe they can start doing goat yoga there too! 🙂
They do!
What a marvellous and unusual idea for Ontario! I’ve been twice in the last two years but never came across this idea, but love the idea of a goat farm that is also offering beautiful accommodation and a really unique experience. I love goats, and I rather like alpacas too, so I know I’d enjoy this. Quirky and fabulous, am bookmarking this one for my next trip!
Wow! You got to know what it’s like to be living in a farm and that breakfast is absolutely looking great.
What a lovely experience. I’d love to spend some time on a farm surrounded by all that open space – and those cute goats would be the icing on the cake. Debbie and Shain sound like great hosts too – and they put on a stellar breakfast!
I am from Montreal (Quebec) and I have never heard of this farm. I actually never thought of visiting a goat farm even when I was living in Canada. It’s funny how sometimes travellers give you another look at your own country. I am definitely putting this farm on my list for my next visit back home! Glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve never been to a goat farm before either! Although it sounds like a fabulous place – i want to eat that home cooked breakfast right now! And i love that they have alpacas too, they’re one of my favorite animals
Ah I love goats! They are such characters. Seems like a great place to visit in the weekend to unwind and relax a little!
The goat looks cute but Alpacas are cuter. I feel the life at the farm is so different and most importantly you get to enjoy everything on your meals farm fresh. So would love staying here. Thanks for sharing.
Never before did I imagine the words haute and goat farm together!
But this is indeed a wonderful experience. Farmstays make me nostalgic. Reminds me of simpler times from an era when life was slow and we did not have to worry about anything.
Goat milk soaps? Another thing I’d never imagined!