The logo of Fort Walla Walla Museum includes these words: "Horse-Era Agriculture." That relates to the pre-mechanized way of doing farming and ranching in this part of the world, but as anyone who has ever traveled through this lovely corner of creation knows, this is still farm country.
Wheat still predominates, but vineyards are increasing in acreage every year. Onions still take up lots of room, but asparagus is no longer a major commodity. Orchards, too, are not as widely found as in previous years. Times change and crops changes, too, as do the animals involved in farming. At one time sheep were incredibly plentiful in the area, but no longer. Among the more interesting animals gaining a hoof-hold in the area are goats. One can see herds large and small in many different places, leading one to wonder what is done with all those animals.
The answer partly lies to the west of Dayton, where Montelleit Fromagerie does wonderful things with goat milk. I haven't seen any Angora goats, but that doesn't mean there aren't any in the neighborhood. Some go into meat production, something new for the palate in these parts.
The goat kids pictured here are from the Dalan Family Farm just west of Walla Walla. the kids were newborn last Tuesday, February 24. Enjoy!
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