Visiting a goat farm is one of the items on CC's bucket list. When we learned one of the best goat farms in South Carolina is located just a short distance from the resort where we are staying, we wasted no time visiting it.
The Split Creek Farm is located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains' of South Carolina. The Grade A Dairy is in a barn designed, and built by the owners to include the milking, and cheese operations, and a kid nursery. A retail gift shop featuring goat milk products and folk art is open to the public. Tours are available for groups. Individuals are welcome to walk around the farm unescorted as long as they do not threaten the animals.
Split Creek Farm became a commercial Grade A goat dairy in 1985. The farm started with three goats and a piece of land. The herd peaked at 750 goats, and fences, pastures and barns were built over the years. The goats and the cheeses are recognized nationally and have won numerous awards. Currently the farm population averages about 350, most of which are Nubian breed.
The versatile and active Nubian goat ranks as one of the most difficult animals to photograph—after several attempts to photogragh a group of nubians, CC settled for an extreme close-up of one of their cute faces.
The farm also has an assortment of other breeds. We spotted this group of Alpine goats hanging out in the pasture under a large oak tree. ( Above)
We found these large white and cream colored goats with the forward facing ears ( above and below) in a breeding pen. They were very friendly. I think they are members of the Saanen breed goats.
We also saw some La Mancha breed goats in the herd. The short-earred brown La Mancha goat below came right up to me, and absolutely insisted I take her photo.
Part of the reason the goats are so friendly is the care they receive from the farm's owners and staff. Good goat milk comes from healthy, well-cared for goats. As we toured, it was obvious that Evans and the Split Creek staff are committed to taking care of their herd and producing natural dairy products. Each animal receives individual attention on a daily basis without the use of hormones to enhance milk production or the use of herbicides and pesticides in the goat pastures.
While there aren’t chemicals in the pastures, there’s definitely plenty of other security on the farm. The goats at Split Creek are protected around the clock by Great Pyrenees. These large and protective dogs make sure that unwanted visitors like coyotes, bears and even humans do not harm the goats. They aren’t aggressive, but can be. Given their size and protecive nature, I would not want them to get the idea I was a threat to their goats. Several herding dogs also shadowed us as we made our way around the farm.
After I had my fill of photographing animals, we headed to the farm store to try out the farm’s goat milk, artisan cheeses, yogurt and fudge. Yum! Absolutely everything we tried was fantastic. BJ especially loved the feta with olives. I couldn’t get enough of the creamy fudge.
If you would like to visit Split Creek Farm yourself, it is located at:
3806 Centerville Rd, Anderson, SC 29625
or to learn more about the Split Creek Farm you can watch
a youtube video about Split Creek Farm at:
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