For Harmony Lane Farms owner Julie David, working with goats began as an adventure in self-healing. 

She stated, “I have gastroparesis (digestive condition) and I wanted to get off all of my medication, and raw goat’s milk ended up helping me to do that. I’ve been working with goats for 15 years. Five of those years I studied under a goat mentor and now I’m going into my eighth year being a licensed Grade A goat dairy.”

From goat’s milk and cheese to farm fresh meats, an onsite grille (which uses the farm’s own Angus beef and pork), and goat cuddling, Harmony Lane Farms is the ideal weekend attraction for looking to stock up on quality, local items and lose themselves in that unique magic only time spent in the company of animals can provide. With a diverse list of offerings and many goats to care for (alongside cows, hogs, llamas, parrots, emus, donkeys, and a mustang horse), the work isn’t easy, but to Julie, it’s worth it. 

“When you milk 60+ milk goats, that’s a lot of kids (baby goats) that need milk. We handle the kids, and we feed the kids bottles. People started helping me and enjoyed it so much I set it up to where other people could come experience goat therapy firsthand.” She continued, “In one of our baby goat cuddling experiences, a 12-year-old girl that had never spoken a word in her life said an entire sentence cuddling a baby goat. All the staff started crying tears of joy. Goat therapy is real, just like taking a dog to the hospital. Customers can lounge on soft cushions under the bistro lights and cuddle while music is playing.” 

Harmony Lane gives options, much like it did in its infancy to Julie herself, for those who can’t process traditional cow’s milk. However, a common misconception is that goat’s milk is not high–quality or has a bitter taste. Concerning this, Julie said, “People are under the impression goat’s milk and cheese taste pungent. Some goat milk can, but not ours, we are known for our goat milk products tasting just like sweet milk. For example, our chèvre tastes like cream cheese with a flavor/spice.” Elaborating, she stated, “Goat milk is the only universal milk, and is second (in quality) only to (human) breast milk. That’s why a lot of infants are on my milk. We also feed a non-GMO goat pellet to our goats, along with kelp, beets, yeast, and a good quality goat mineral – all affect the flavor and nutrition.”

Julie David and the team at Harmony Lane have cultivated a space of entertainment, dining, and healing right down the road in Smithville. From humble, personal beginnings, the business is now a thriving piece of the Upper Cumberland community.

To conclude this piece, Julie pulled back the curtain on her clientele and what inspires her most about the work. 

“We cater to the general public. Public schools, private schools, homeschoolers, retirement communities, corporate retreats, Alzheimer’s groups, and special needs children and adults.” She finished by saying, “I enjoy educating the public where milk, beef, and pork come from and allowing the public to hand milk a mama goat (doe) or cuddle newborns. I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they get to see all the animals up close and personal.”

To learn more about all the exciting things happening at Harmony Lane visit https://harmonylanefarms.com/ today!