Why Cashmere?

Weesner's Bittersweet Farm was drawn to cashmere goats due to their hardiness and adaptability, making them well-suited for our farm. Their ability to thrive in various conditions, combined with their gentle temperament, made them an ideal choice for our growing farm. Additionally, we were excited about the opportunity to introduce something new to our area by bringing high-quality cashmere goats into the region. This allowed us to diversify our farm, contribute to the growth of the cashmere industry, and provide unique opportunities for others interested in these remarkable animals.

Biggest Challenge?

At Weesner's Bittersweet Farm, one of our primary challenges has been to maintain genetic diversity in our herd. With relatively few herds in our area, we’ve often found it necessary to travel hundreds of miles to obtain new bloodlines. To address this, we have embraced artificial insemination (AI) as a strategic solution. By utilizing AI, we can access superior genetics from around the country without the logistical challenges of physically acquiring new bucks. This approach not only enhances our herd's quality, but also allows us to offer our genetics to other farms. We currently have six distinguished bucks with semen available for AI, five through Blue Mountain Genetics and one through BIO-Geneics.

Biggest Successes?

One of our biggest successes at Weesner's Bittersweet Farm has been our commitment to education and innovation. Through our 4-H leasing program, we have provided young people with hands-on experience in raising and caring for cashmere goats. This program not only teaches valuable agricultural skills but also fosters a deep appreciation for responsible livestock management, allowing youth to actively participate in 4-H events and gain confidence in working with animals.

Additionally, we take great pride in advancing the cashmere industry by contributing to artificial insemination with our high-quality bucks. Recognizing the challenge of expanding bloodlines and circulating sires, we have made top-tier cashmere genetics more accessible to farms through AI. By partnering with Blue Mountain Genetics and BIO-Genics, we offer semen from our distinguished bucks, helping producers across the country improve their herds and strengthen the future of cashmere goat breeding.

Do you view farming as more of a business or a lifestyle?

At Weesner's Bittersweet Farm, we see farming as both a business and a way of life. We are deeply committed to producing high-quality cashmere and improving the genetics of our herd, always striving to uphold the highest standards in breeding and fiber production. Every decision we make—whether it’s expanding bloodlines, refining our herd management practices, or contributing to the artificial insemination world—is done with care.

At the same time, our goats bring so much more to our lives than just their luxurious fiber. They are a source of joy, companionship, and love, enriching our daily routines in ways that go beyond business. From watching newborn kids take their first steps to seeing 4-H youth build confidence through our leasing program, the farm is a place of connection and passion.

What have been the biggest changes you've implemented on your farm?

We try to take advantage of learning opportunities whenever possible. By learning to do things like Famancha scoring, fecal egg counts, semen collection and processing, and early pregnancy detection, we are able to provide more rapid and efficient care of our animals.