Our Philosophy of Sales
We are Dave, Pat and Travis Stewart, of Ashburnham, MA. While Dave works in the "real world," at the Massachusetts State Park computer systems, Pat works at the farm. Hames & Axle Farm started out to teach children who provides their milk, meat, eggs and other food. Little did we know we'd become "addicted" to Nigerian dwarf goats. Though we still do some in-class teaching, much of Pat's time is now given to the farm, and to educating adults and students about the issues facing America's small farms and consumers. She has also written a book, Personal Milkers: A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats, available from lulu.com, and some other ebooks available here. In addition, she is the editor of Ruminations; Celebrating the Small Farm Goat,, which allows her to combine her years as a park interpreter with her years on the farm. Hames & Axle Farm is also a working farm. Our goats are more than just exhibition animals to us. We use their milk for our soaps, and eat a lot of their dairy products in our own cheeses, ice cream, yogurt, baking and fudge. We are also working toward self-sufficiency, returning poultry to the farm this year, as well as bringing in herbs, and bramble fruits. We believe that strong small farms keep everyone healthier, and happier. We try to live as lightly on the land as we can, and truly be "stewards" of this beautiful wild place we call home.

Our goal is to raise healthy, friendly, productive Nigerian dwarf dairy goats. We value our goats for all of their gifts; milk, kids and joy.

In 1996 when we started, we were blessed to buy from the Rosasharn herd. This started us off with great genetics, which we have outcrossed with other top milking lines to build our present herd.

For Hames & Axle Farm the value of the goat is in the production. The fun is in the babies and the personalities, and the challenge is the premium care and the improvement of their dairy ability for each generation. Color is beautiful, but to us it is the "icing on the cake." Health and milk are invaluable traits that provide for a long life for both goat and owner. We hope that our customers share our goals. We are on 305 day DHIR test, always seeking ways to increase milk supply without overworking the does.

We also believe that sharing knowledge is best way to care for our babies in their new homes. We provide owner support throughout the animal's life, and if necessary, breeding support through stud service to qualifying herds.

Please feel free to contact us about any Hames & Axle animal you are curious about. Enjoy your goats. We do!

1. Healthy animals with current vaccinations, disbudding, castration, worming according to age, purpose and stage of life. This includes a complete kidding history and suggestions for management.

2. Registered animals in the case of intact animals.

3. Mentorship in learning to care, breed, and manage your herd.

4. Assistance in learning to milk, register and show your goats if you so wish.

6. Assistance in the sales, or rehoming of your animals if necessary.

7. Respect and Honesty.

1. Animals will have a dry, draft free place to live.

2. Animals will receive proper food, minerals and clean water.

3. Owners will find veterinary care for their goats if need be.

4. Our goats will not be sold for meat.

5. Owners will notify us if they need any help or advice regarding management.

6. We hope that in the event that owners need to re-home their goats, they will let us know. We may not be able to bring them back here, but we may know of someone who's looking for just that type of animal.