If you want some nuzzling and attention, theNubian goats of Helm Acres will gladly accommodate. If you need some wonderful soap, the goats help out again by providing milk for the Soaps on the Trail products. So what is the story behind this herd of loveable, curious creatures?

Barbi and John Dailey of Vale, Oregon, raise Nubian goats on their acreage. Barbi got a goat as a gift when she was a child. She then raised goats through school. About 15 years ago, she started back in the “goat business.” When they moved to Oregon a few years ago, the goats came along. The Daileys have about 30 goats presently in their herd with the arrival of over a dozen kids this spring, but they say around 20 head is a good size for their current plans.

The Nubian goat has become one of the most popular of the dairy goat breeds.

Selling goats for breeding or meat is not the primary focus of Helm Acres Nubians, although the demand for goat meat is growing in the U.S. Instead, the Daileys mainly raise their goats for the milk. “Goat’s milk is a healthy alternative to cow’s milk. It has smaller fat globules than cow’s milk so is easier for humans to digest,” says Dailey. Barbi Dailey said she gets six gallons of milk a day from seven does. Dailey adds, “Pound for pound, a goat will outproduce a cow in reproduction and milk.”

The Daileys are not a commercially certified dairy, so they only sell milk from their farm and do not market or advertise the milk itself. But, with all this milk, Barbi Dailey got interested in soap making about 7-8 years ago. She said, “I have a nice recipe with tea tree and peppermint.” From there, she has developed several different kinds and scents of soap. Their goat soaps are good for the skin, containing extra moisturizing oils.

The Daileys are members of the American Dairy Goat Association, the Idaho Syringa Dairy Goat Association, and the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild.

The soap sales are in their early stages of development. Barbi hopes to expand that and offer her soaps through either farmers markets or some local businesses. Both Barbi and John Dailey are military veterans that enrolled in the spring TVCC Biz- Center’s Veterans Small Business Management (VSBM) program. When Barbi was asked what advice she would give to others starting up a small business, she was quick to respond, “Go to the Biz- Center for help!”

The Daileys were impressed with the personalized assistance they received in the VSBM program and the advisory sessions. “Whenever we have questions, Michael [Braden] (BizCenter business advisor) has answers.” The other bit of advice she shares with new entrepreneurs is to know your abilities before jumping into something so that you don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

John Dailey, “chief engineer” on the farm, uses part of the land to raise hay and feed for the goats.